A treaty between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Queensland will be closer to reality when proposed laws are introduced to the state's parliament.
A five-member Truth and Healing Inquiry and a First Nations Treaty Institute are the centrepieces of the legislation to be tabled by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday.
"One of the first orders of business for this parliament 163 years ago was the Occupation of Crown Lands Bill, to address what one member described as the 'serious collision' between squatters and Aboriginals," Ms Palaszczuk told parliament ahead of the bill being put before MPs.
"That was putting it mildly.
"What we do here today is what our forebears should have done back then."
The terms of reference are not yet set for the planned inquiry, but it will be designed to be "non-adversarial", and people won't be compelled to give evidence.
However, government bodies may be compelled to comply and provide documents.
Ms Palaszczuk said the inquiry will "travel the state" to document the stories of families and communities "handed down over the past 200 years".
"This is not about guilt. This is about revealing the truth of our state, denied and buried for too long," she added.
The new First Nations Treaty Institute will play a key role in developing the process for how treaty negotiations are conducted.
"Our treaty will not be handed down from government," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"It will be developed from community to community because each has its own story to tell."
The premier urged Queenslanders to find the courage, compassion and commitment to "finish this unfinished business" and make the most of the opportunity.
The state previously established a $300 million Path to Treaty fund, guaranteeing $10 million a year to the proposed treaty institute.