ALL VAN CONTENT
On this page of the website you can scroll through the entire Victorian Aboriginal News library of content. Please note that currently it goes back until only the 28th of January 2023 - when we started our Referendum '23 podcast (the genesis of VAN Talks). We are currently working with our legacy equipment to identify and bring back to life the interviews we conducted and aired prior to that. Bear with us on this.
7 April 2025
Breathing new life into the Bangerang language
We speak with Bangerang cultural educator and custodian Roland Atkinson about a new dictionary that will breathe new life into the Bangerang language and further strengthen culture
3 April 2025
Senator Dorinda Cox: Bringing and seeking change to the Australian Government’s Senate
Just how culturally safe is the life of a Federal Government Senator? We speak about this – and more – with WA Greens Senator, Yamatji and Noongar woman, Dorinda Cox
31 March 2025
Walk for truth – an open invitation from Yoorrook Commissioner Lovett to walk alongside in advocating for Victorian truth
We speak with Commissioner Travis Lovett as he prepares for his 370 kilometre walk from Portland – where Victorian colonisation started – to Parliament House
6 March 2025
Equal footing for Traditional Owners in the Treaty process – the Self-Determination Fund
We speak with the CEO of the Self-Determination Fund, that organisation so often overlooked but playing a critical role in ensuring an equal footing in Treaty for the Victorian Traditional Owners
24 February 2025
The Welcome to Country – the cultural and contemporary perspectives
We speak with Wurundjeri Elder and lore man Uncle Bill Nicholson, gaining an insight into the important role that a Welcome to Country has in the broader Australian social landscape.
21 January 2025
Treaty negotiations underway in Victoria. Diving into the aspirations of a third iteration of the Aboriginal representative body
As the Victorian Government and First Peoples’ Assembly determine key negotiation points for the statewide treaty, we deep dive into one of the key points – a third-generation Assembly
24 December 2024
Ministers Dimopoulos and Spence remaining silent on the questionable motivation leading to the dingo “death warrant”
In this end-of-year episode, Charles brings together key points from two months of investigation and interviews and presents an update on legal action against the Government.
10 December 2024
“Sham consultation!” Even the Victorian Farmers Federation points the finger squarely at the Victorian Government
Regardless of the fact that many Victorian farmers support the unprotection order on dingoes, the Victorian Farmers Federation has claimed “sham consultation” on the part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
4 December 2024
Yoorrook Deputy Chair, Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter reflects back on years of evidence and submissions
Following a closing of submissions and evidence for the Yoorook Justice Commission, VAN’s Charles Pakana catches up for an exclusive yarn with Deputy Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter
1 December 2024
Despite spiritual connection, Dja Dja Wurrung barely considered in Victorian Government’s dingo “planning”
We continue our investigation into the State Government’s blatant disregard of First Nations’ advice on the matter of dingo protection in Victoria, yarning this time with DJAARA CEO, Uncle Rodney Carter
27 November 2024
Yarning with Barkindji Elder Uncle Col Clark on the bank of the mighty Murray River. Podcasting just as it should be done!
On a recent trip up to Latje Latje Country, specifically Mildura, we caught up with Barkindji Elder, Uncle Col Clark. Sitting by the southern bank of the mighty Murray River, we yarned about reconciliation in a post-referendum Victoria.
22 November 2024
The Victorian Government continues to ignore the state’s First Nations on deeply cultural matter
As we continue to explore the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s continued backturning on First Nations, we speak with Federation CEO, Gunnai, Monaro and Gunditjmara man Paul Paton on the matter of the dingo “death warrant”.
19 November 2024
Rueben Berg: Reflecting on five years of progress towards a Victorian Treaty
Five-and-a-half years ago Rueben Berg and Charles Pakana had their first Treaty interview. On the eve of statewide Treaty negotiations, they catch up and look back – and forward
8 November 2024
Everyone has a role to play in bringing Aboriginal cultural safety and learnings into the education system
We hear from Aboriginal reform advocate and activist, Bunurong woman Zoe Upton, discussing topics ranging from engaging with Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups, increasing the number of First Nations teachers in the system, supporting identity and the role of allies and collaborators.
4 November 2024
Victoria’s dingoes are the ones to lose out under outdated state legislation
Under a nearly 50-year-old legislation – the Victorian Wildlife Act 1975 – our state’s dingoes are NOT being protected. Yuin man, Dr. Jack Pascoe sheds new light on Victoria’s Dingo Unprotection debacle
24 October 2024
The science and facts supporting the need to protect Victorian dingo populations
We speak with Professor Euan Ritchie, one of Australia’s foremost environmental scientists, discussing the science behind the need for the dingo, and practical ways in which livestock can be protected without the need for poisons and leg-traps.
21 October 2024
Wurundjeri man Thane Garvey shares insights about incorporating culture into our everyday lives
If reconciliation is to become a reality, it falls on all of us to begin appreciating the Country on which we walk. Thane shares ways in which we can incorporate Aboriginal culture into our everyday lives
17 October 2024
The harsh reality of business that “black clad” themselves to rort the system…and clients
While a growing number of people and businesses seek to support Blak businesses, there is an unfortunate prevalence of businesses following a practice of “black cladding” to rip off the unaware
14 October 2024
Thomas Mayo, one year on from the referendum still urges all Australians onwards to a better country
We catch up with Thomas Mayo exactly one year after the failed referendum. Ever the optimist and activist, he talks about his book and strong ways forward for all Australians
10 October 2024
The Victorian Government effectively signs a death warrant on the state’s dingo population
We speak with Tuangurung’s Matt Shanks as we start an ongoing series of investigative interviews into the Victorian government’s decision to extend an UNprotection order on much of the State’s dingo population.