Heading back to our roots and building on the work we undertook in the leadup to the 2023 Referendum, Victorian Aboriginal News (VAN) Talks focuses on the positivity that is Aboriginal Victoria. Covering everything from Voice, Treaty and Truth and Reconciliation through to Aboriginal businesses and Traditional Owner initiatives, the VAN Talks podcast is the only podcast that travels across the State to deliver interviews and stories that are the truth of Aboriginal Victoria.
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. During a recent visit to Coranderrk, VAN’s Charles Pakana caught up for a yarn about the Woi-wurrung language with advocate, speaker and teacher Brooke Wandin. Without any doubt, the Woi-wurrung language, like other First Nations languages across Australia is having new life breathed into it.…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Discussing everything from the referendum and cultural responsibilities right through to conservative media and "what's next", we engage in an in-depth interview with Bruce Pascoe.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Taking a position of leadership, the Mayor of Merri-Bek (formerly Moreland) talks openly about his and the city’s aspirations to enter into Treaty negotiations with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, the Traditional Owners of the country.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. We hear all the time from the Commissioners of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, but what about those few people who are working every day with community to receive the truth about system injustices - past and current - heaped on Aboriginal people? We speak with two of the Yoorrook Truth Receivers to discuss their challenges …
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In a far-reaching interview with Victorian Aboriginal News, co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg, responds to questions covering nuances of the Treaty Negotiation Framework, treaty readiness and the future of truth-telling in Victoria beyond the Yoorrook Justice Commission.…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. All Australia bore witness to the obscene tagline of “If you don’t know, vote NO” that was used by anti-Voice campaigners in 2023. Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder and lore man Uncle Bill Nicholson is a committed educator, and speaks on VAN Talks about the need to improve the education system for the benefit of ALL.…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. If you listen to just one of our podcast episodes this year...this is the one. CEO of the Aborigines' Advancement League, member of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, academic and activist Aunty Esme Bamblett talks bluntly about EVERY Australian's role in achieving reconciliation in this country.…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. VAN host Charles Pakana catches up with singer/songwriter Pirritu, also known as Brett Lee, to discuss the musician’s background story and the role he plays in bringing about social change.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
S02-E32: Victoria's Anglican church moves forward with commitment to Reconciliation, Recognition and Treaty
20:55
Send us a Text Message. On the 30th of June 2024, Anglican priest Uncle Glenn Loughrey, a Wiradjuri man who campaigned strongly for the Voice to Parliament, was collated at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne as Provincial Archdeacon for Reconciliation, First Peoples Recognition and Treaty. We caught up with him just a few days after his collation to …
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In a highly thought-provoking interview, we speak with founder and creative director of Torch program, Uncle Kent Morris, and Stacey Edwards, an inspirational woman who, with dedication and commitment, clearly demonstrates how Aboriginal-designed solutions deliver positive results.…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Uncle Andrew Jackomos and Thelma Austin from the Treaty Authority speak about the importance of ensuring treaty negotiations are impartial and of benefit to allPor Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. While Fire Rescue Victoria embarks upon a recruiting campaign with an eye towards bringing in more First Nations recruit firefighters, we speak with Uncle Owen Butler, a Wiradjuri man with 44 years experience in the service.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Charles speaks with the CEO of the Taungurung Land and Waters Council, Matthew Burns, about the recent ruling from VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal), which overturned a works licence issued by Goulburn Murray Water that would see a 600 metre diversion of the Rubicon River.…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. For this episode, Charles travels to Bendigo and meets up with Nicola Perry, Chair of the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Corporation (BDAC), and BDAC CEO, Dallas Widdocombe.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In this episode Charles speaks with the lead researcher and managing director of the First 1,000 Days Australia Project, Kerry Arabena. Together, they discuss the evidence-based model that is helping First Nations families move from planning through to parenthood.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. We caught up with Uncle Richard Bell just before his June presentation at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbourne. Over the course of the interview we spoke about art as a form of activism, his youth and journey towards activism and artist.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. There’s a hell of a lot more to the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) than typically meets the eye. We sit down and discuss the inner workings of this important organisation with its Chief Executive Officer, Tom Mosby.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In this exclusive interview with Djaara CEO Uncle Rodney Carter, we explore a first-of-its-kind (for Victoria) agreement between a Traditional Owner group and a gold mining operation.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. We speak with Gunditjmara academic and education advocate Professor Mark Rose about bringing Aboriginal content and relevancy into the education system at all levels.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In this interview, VAN’s Charles Pakana catches up with Gurrin Gurrin artist Phillip Howe, to discuss the challenges and obligations facing Aboriginal artists practising on Country that is not theirs.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. As we commence our series of interviews with Victorian Traditional owners about what true reconciliation means to them, we sit down with Wotjobaluk woman, Aunty Janine Coombs.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Gunditjmara man and co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg, returns to the VAN Talks podcast, discussing one of the key aspirations of a statewide treaty in Victoria - the sharing of political decision making with Traditional Owners and Victorian Aboriginal community.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
S02-E18: Seeking to identify and recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personnel
16:12
Send us a Text Message. From his office deep within the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Michael Bell devotes his life to identifying and gaining recognition for all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have donned an Australian military uniform or, on the home front, have given of themselves to support those on active service. …
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. For nearly 20 years an Egyptian born retired Royal Australian Air Force Flight Sergeant has fought for greater recognition of the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel. In this episode we catch up with Sam Halim, the man at the forefront of the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Commi…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. For several decades there has been a story that has gained popularity, about the Australian Military Forces leaving behind in South Africa 50 Aboriginal Trackers. In this interview we speak with noted military historian - focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military service - Peter Bakker. Can the story stand u…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. We continue our truth-telling podcast with Wurundjeri woi-wurrung Elder Uncle Dave Wandin about the true history of the Coranderrk mission, taking it up to current times.
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In this extended episode of VAN Talks, Charles speaks with Wurundjeri woi-wurrung Elder Uncle Dave Wandin about the true history of the Coranderrk mission.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In this far-reaching interview, VAN’s Charles Pakana speaks with Dr Michelle Evans, the Director of the Dilin Duwa Center for Indigenous Business Leadersip at the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Business School. Michelle is a recognised authority in the areas of indigenous leadership and entrepreneurship, and is also c…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. VAN’s Charles Pakana catches up with Thomas Mayo nearly four months after the referendum. They discuss a wide range of topics, from “where to from here?” to two new books coming out soon from Thomas, and why it’s important to stay calm as a campaigner.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. After delivering a speech on 26 Jan this year, Victorian Aboriginal News founder and editor Charles Pakana was approach by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Aunty Diane Kerr. She mentioned to him that she had been recently the subject of an Andrew Bolt commentary on Sky News. Obviously, Charles had to find that commentary and do …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
S02-E10: Racism, RAPs and Substantive Reconciliation. A yarn with Professor Andrew Gunstone.
27:23
Send us a Text Message. Following the October 2023 referendum, many have claimed that anti-Aboriginal sentiments have become increasingly prevalent. International reconciliation academic Professor Andrew Gunstone experienced this first-hand when he was boo’d off stage during a presentation at a Lions club on the 26th of January. He speaks about the…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In this episode we talk about cultural safety and cultural load int he workplace - issues that are often bandied around in the Australian workforce yet all too often left unaddressed. We also welcome back to the podcast the Reverend Uncle Glenn Loughrey, reflecting on the referendum and challenging us with a new way forward.…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Our first podcast for the year kicks off with Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Treaty and First Nations, talking about the government's treaty preparation; and Uncle Rodney Carter, one of the two co-Chairs of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria's Elders Voice.
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Recorded at the State Library of Victoria, and celebrating the return of two culturally important artworks by William Barak, this episode has Charles speaking with Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Ron Jones, Victorian Minister and Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson and Wurundjeri educator, language worker and artist Brooke Wandin.…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Gathering Places play a huge role for community across Victoria, and at VAN Talks our goal is to visit and report from all of them over the next 12-to-18 months. In today's podcast, we travel down to Hastings on Bunerong Country to visit the Willum Warrain (Home by the sea) and speak to …
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In 2021, the Victorian Government launched the 2021-2026 Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy. We interviewed one of its key architects, Peek Whurrong man Jason Mifsud, shortly after the launch. Now, two years down the track, we once again sit with Jason and get down to some of the real nitty gritty of this inn…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Yoorrook Commissioner Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man Travis Lovett sits with VAN's Charles Pakana to discuss his experiences as the most recently appointed Yoorrook Commissioner and the work being undertaken in the latest round of investigations - into land, sky and waters.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
S02-E03: Uncle Alan Thorpe, forging ahead to help build stronger men, families and communities
24:02
Send us a Text Message. For well over 20 years, Uncle Alan Thorpe has been single-mindedly focused on supporting Aboriginal men across Australia and working to help those men take an active role in building stronger families and safer communities. As the CEO of Dardi Munwurro, Strong Spirit in Gunai language, he continues that work with a growing n…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. With the second iteration of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria firmly in place, we take a deep dive with Assembly co-chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg in where Victoria is currently positioned with regard to a statewide Treay. This episode marks the commencement of an ongoing series of interviews and updates from an…
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. As we kick off series 2 of our podcast, a logical flow-on from the Referendum 23 Tapes podcast, we initiate a series of discussions about Reconciliation in Victoria, starting with internationally renowned Reconciliation expert, Professor Andrew Gunstone.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 40: Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria reflects on the campaign and post referendum
11:19
Send us a Text Message. Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg, reflects on the divisive nature of the Voice referendum campaign and the need to heal community post referendum.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 39: How The Voice can deliver billions of dollars savings to the Federal Government every year
15:39
Send us a Text Message. CEO of the Lowitja Institute, Janine Mohamed, reveals on the podcast how a Voice to Parliament has the potential to save the Federal Government $10 billion per year in healthcare alone.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. SBS/NITV The Point co-host John Paul (JP) Janke joins Charles on the Referendum 2023 Tapes podcast to talk about a range of topics from “fear over fact” to the role of First Nations media in repairing the rift resulting from the various campaign factions.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 37: Yorta Yorta Elder Uncle Andrew Jackomos Casts His Eye of Experience on the Voice
11:57
Send us a Text Message. With decades of public service and experience with government and bureaucracy under his belt, Yorta Yorta Elder Uncle Andrew Jackomos joins Charles to discuss the Voice to Parliament from a unique perspective.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 36: Victoria’s Taungurung People in Support of “Yes” for All First Nations Communities Across Victoria
13:57
Send us a Text Message. Taungurung man and CEO of the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) Matthew Burns joins Charles on the podcast to share his thoughts on the positive impacts on all Australians - Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal - of a First Nations Voice to Parliament.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Based on his many years of work in government, community and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), Gunditjmara man Jason Mifsud is approaching the vote for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament with a “cautious Yes”.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. Yorta Yorta man Ian Hamm speaks frankly to Charles in this episode, and delivers a frank, honest and totally refreshing perspective on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.Por Victorian Aboriginal News
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. We’re joined today by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Uncle Andrew Gardiner. In this interview, Uncle Andrew touches on a broad range of subjects ranging from some of the misinformation surrounding the proposed Voice to Parliament through to Australia’s standing on the international stage. Note: In this interview, Uncle Andrew …
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In our latest Referendum 2023 Tapes podcast, Charles speaks with one of Australia’s foremost activists and advocates for Aboriginal and Islander child care, Aunty Muriel Bamblett. In this far-ranging interview, the two discuss an array of social topics, each impacted by a possible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice …
…
continue reading
Send us a Text Message. In Victoria’s central west, the Dja Dja Wurrung People via their representative corporation, DJAARA, have come out in clear support of a Yes vote for a Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution. Charles travels to Bendigo and yarns about this with DJAARA CEO, Uncle Rodney Carter.…
…
continue reading