Pathways to Truth Gathering 2026

The Pathways to Truth Gathering is a two-day community event that brings people together for truth-telling, truth-listening, healing and action.

Aligned with the Great Southern Place-Based Reconciliation Action Plan and serving as a significant bookend to the Albany Bicentenary program, the gathering brings together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to learn from local, national and international perspectives on truth-telling, healing and reconciliation.

Through immersive experiences, storytelling, dialogue and community connection, participants will explore how understanding truth can create pathways toward recognition, dignity, healing and meaningful action.

What to Expect

• Dedicated sessions for Mob and Allies

• Interactive workshops and facilitated discussions

• Opportunities for community connection and networking

• Launch of Why Weren't We Told About Genocide in the Wildflower State?

• Screening of The Legacy of Genocide

• Keynote presentations and panel discussions featuring local, national and international perspectives (to be announced)

Program Overview

Wednesday 25 November

Pre-Forum Engagements

1.00pm - 4.30pm

Concurrent sessions for Mob and Allies designed to prepare participants for the Community Forum.

Mob Session

A culturally safe space for Aboriginal participants to reflect on truth-telling, healing and recent community experiences, and to identify what they would like carried into the broader Forum.

Ally Session

Supporting non-Aboriginal participants to engage respectfully and constructively with truth-telling while building their understanding and capacity to contribute positively to shared Forum conversations.

Community Sundowner

4.30pm - 6pm

An opportunity to connect, reflect and transition into the evening program.

Canapés and refreshments provided.

Book Launch and Documentary Screening

6pm - 8.30pm

Featuring:

Book launch of Why Weren't We Told About Genocide in the Wildflower State?

Screening of The Legacy of Genocide

Thursday 26 November

Community Forum

8.30am - 4.30pm

A full-day program featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops and conversations exploring truth-telling, healing and pathways to action.

The forum will showcase local, national and international perspectives, alongside practical examples of truth-telling initiatives and reconciliation in action.

Morning tea and lunch provided.

Looking Ahead

The Pathways to Truth Gathering is designed to be more than a conversation. Together, we hope to strengthen community understanding, support meaningful truth-telling, and identify practical pathways for healing, recognition and action in the Great Southern.

Insights from the gathering will help inform future community-led initiatives and contribute to a place-based approach to reconciliation. The gathering will also explore respectful and culturally appropriate ways to capture and share stories, insights and learnings, where participants choose to do so.

Our Approach

• Aboriginal-led - Aboriginal knowledge, authority and lived experience shape the gathering.

• Place-based - Grounded in the histories, people and Country of the Great Southern.

• Trauma-informed - Participant wellbeing, cultural safety and respectful engagement are embedded throughout the program.

• Healing-centred - Creating pathways for recognition, dignity, connection and repair.

• Action-oriented - Focused on what communities can do once truth is heard, understood and acknowledged.

Who Should Attend?

The Pathways to Truth Gathering welcomes Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members, educators, organisations, businesses, government representatives and anyone interested in truth-telling, healing and reconciliation.