Michael Aird has worked in the arts and cultural industry since 1985, with a central focus on documenting aspects of urban Aboriginal history and culture. In 2024 Michael gave evidence to the Queensland Government’s Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry. This proved to be an opportunity for Michael to reflect on a 40-year professional career and the many decisions he has made on how to best accurately portray Aboriginal history through research, publications and exhibitions.

In this presentation Michael will discuss the process of working with a legal team to prepare a statement for the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry. Michael explained how his own family remained on their traditional country in south-east Queensland, while for many decades living in fear of government intervention. The main focus of Michael’s final Witness Statement reflected on decisions made on how to best portray the complexities of urban Aboriginal society as well as the overlaps between his professional and personal life experiences.

While the Queensland Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry is no longer operating, this Lecture will illustrate important aspects of its beginning efforts to document Indigenous perspectives and related aspects of intercultural relations in Australian society.

About the Foundation: The Professor Ronald M and Dr Catherine H Berndt Research Foundation (BRF) is dedicated to advancing research in Australian Aboriginal social and cultural anthropology. Established in 1994 through the generous bequest to the University from Professor Ronald M and Dr Catherine H Berndt, the Foundation honours their legacy by supporting meaningful and ethical research in collaboration with First Nations communities.