How my perspective as a non-Indigenous person was profoundly changed

On Tuesday, the Yoorrook Justice Commission's remarkable four-year journey ended with the publication of its final reports and public record.

Yoorrook was the first formal truth-telling inquiry into injustices against First Peoples in Victoria.

Governments around Australia should learn from their experience and embrace truth-telling.

Yoorrook engaged with more than 9000 First Peoples, received more than 1300 submissions, held public hearings with hundreds of witnesses and reached millions via media, social media, events and more.

Its reports lay bare the historic and ongoing injustice caused by colonisation, told from First Peoples' perspectives. They also offer a clear path forward, grounded in truth, justice and First Peoples' leadership.

As a non-Indigenous person, I was privileged to work for two years as Yoorrook's CEO.

The experience profoundly changed my perspective and understanding.

This is the power of truth-telling.

Yoorrook dealt with deep injustice. I saw trauma handed down over generations and understandable anger. I also saw immense pride in Aboriginal culture, and despite all the harm, an incredible willingness to share it.

Yoorrook reinforced the importance of culture. First Peoples in Victoria who survived the waves of colonial violence and disease were typically forced from their country, onto missions or the fringes of white society.

Culture and language were suppressed. Children with European blood were removed from their families and communities and told that Aboriginality was bad.

This is why it's so painful when First Peoples have their identity questioned by non-Indigenous people. It's also why work to strengthen culture and rebuild languages is so important.

Research like the landmark Mayi Kuwayu Study confirms that when First Peoples are strong in culture and identity, they are strong in health and wellbeing.

I saw so much strength and excellence. There was incredible advocacy and resistance and tenacious and effective leadership. I saw deep environmental knowledge and care for country as well as creative and sporting brilliance.

I saw entrepreneurship and business excellence, huge family and community networks and a deep enduring respect for elders and ancestors.

There is so much that non-Indigenous society can learn from.

Yoorrook helped me to better understand that country is everything for First Peoples.

As Gomeroi woman Nikkie Moodie told Yoorrook: "We speak for Country. We are Country. We are the land, we act as land and for land."

Back in law school, I looked at Eddie Koiki Mabo's case as a bold decision by the High Court. After Yoorrook, I see it as the very least the court could do to recognise what was obvious for the previous two centuries - that it always was Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.

I now look at the decision through the prism of the Charles Perkins quote when he said: "We live off the crumbs that fall off the white Australian tables and are told to be grateful."

In many ways, native title is what's left over after everyone else has had their feed.

Importantly, the Mabo decision gave non-Indigenous Australia something valuable; a way to begin healing, in an incremental way, the deep sore of racism and injustice that infects our national conscience.

The High Court judges recognised this saying the "nation as a whole must remain diminished unless and until there is an acknowledgment of, and retreat from, those past injustices."

The judges were talking about the way colonial law facilitated the taking of First Peoples' land.

The same reasoning applies to sovereignty. For thousands of generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations exercised sovereignty over defined areas of country. The injustice of Britain's self-declared sovereignty over their lands has never been addressed.

Treaties offer the chance to do this and create a different story for future generations. One where First Peoples have power over the issues that affect their lives.

Victoria's elected First Peoples Assembly is currently negotiating a statewide treaty with the Allan government. Local traditional owner treaties will follow.

Yoorrook's recommendations, from self-determination to education and land rights, provide the grounding for transformation through treaties.

Truth-telling is an essential step on the journey to justice and healing.

Yoorrook is an invitation to non-Indigenous people to learn and walk together.

In the words of Yoorrook's final report, "It's time to let in the light ... so that we might look to the future with clear eyes."

Hugh de Kretser is the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission and the former CEO of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.