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 the community together 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 community members, educators, organisations, businesses, government representatives and anyone interested in truth-telling, healing and reconciliation.