THE VAN TALKS PODCAST
The heart and soul of Victorian Aboriginal News - the VAN Talks podcast. Produced twice weekly, the podcast is published on all podcasting platforms and forms the basis of the VAN Hour program (aired on 3KND twice weekly) and Charles' fortnightly hosting of the Mission on Triple R.
31 July 2026
Breaking through the barriers that held back Blak voices on radio
We sit down with First Nations radio pioneer Uncle Joel Wright, discussing the past, present and future of Blak voices on Australian radio.
27 July 2026
Highlighting culture through art without compromise
An acclaimed Victorian Aboriginal artist, Bayley Mifsud, discusses navigating major corporate collaborations while safeguarding cultural integrity. She highlights the vital importance of connection to Country, honouring Southeastern artistic identity, and inspiring the next generation to proudly celebrate First Nations cultural heritage everywhere.
23 July 2026
FPAV youth leaders advocate strongly for the voices of youth in Victoria’s Treaty process
First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria members Tarni Morris and Levi Power discuss how First Nations youth are stepping up to lead Victoria’s historic Treaty
20 July 2026
Defining the next frontier of an Australian First Nations economy
Uncle Ian Hamm joins VAN Talks to argue that true self-determination requires shifting from rights-based social policies to macro-economic participation and wealth independence.
16 July 2026
Uncle Richard Frankland shares deep thoughts and challenges ALL Australians
Recently, having given a magnificent oration on SBS’s NITV, Uncle Richard Frankland goes even deeper into his five challenges for institutions, governments, and ourselves, as well as social engineering and the need to be free thinkers.
13 July 2026
Reflecting on the challenges and successes as VACCHO turns 30
As VACCHO marks 30 years, CEO Aunty Jill Gallagher reflects on the early struggles, the power of community-led healthcare, and the non-negotiable right to self-determination.
30 June 2026
Demand for true accountability in Indigenous Procurement Policy
Principal lawyer and founder of AMK Law, Matthew Karakoulakis, unpacks critical new updates to Australia’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP). He looks past the percentages on paper to explore why true First Nations economic self-determination relies on ‘effective control’ and accountability.
25 June 2026
The role of Blak media in the “fight for the soul of this country”
This is an episode not to be missed. Yorta Yorta man and award-winning journalist, Daniel James, gives a one-on-one interview with VAN Talks to discuss the critical role of First Nations media. Discussing current threats to community and culture, and pleading for people to just be nicer to one another.
22 June 2026
Advancing Victoria’s education model in a post-Yoorrook era
12 months after first speaking with Shelley Ware, one of Australia’s foremost First Nations education system reform advocates, we catch up again to talk about the future of Victoria’s education system in a post-Yoorrook era.
18 June 2026
CEO of Settlement Council of Australia says, “It’s time to roll up the sleeves and make it happen.”
Settlement Council of Australia CEO Maria Dimopoulos addresses a profound, 25-year oversight: the total absence of dialogue regarding what “settlement” truly means in the context of First Nations dispossession.
15 June 2026
Rueben Berg urges local governments to work together in the Treaty era
Rueben Berg returns to VAN Talks to discuss his work as a self-proclaimed “back-bencher”, focusing on community engagement and non Victorian TOs in the Treaty space.
11 June 2026
Behind the face of VAN with Charles Pakana in the interviewee seat
In this special episode on VAN Talks, a podcast normally hosted by Charles Pakana, Karina Wells, takes to the mic to interview the face of VAN. Charles talks about the impact his mentors and the move to Naarm had on him, as well as what the future of VAN might look like.
8 June 2026
Native Title in the Victorian context with Kaley Nicholson
Kaley Nicholson, CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners Corporation, gives an easily understandable overview of what Native Title is in the Victorian context.
2 June 2026
NITV General Manager speaks to the future of First Nations media
NITV General Manager, Dan Bourchier, discusses his vision for the future of NITV and advises both journalists and consumers of media on how to maintain a truth-focused perspective.
26 May 2026
A new First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria with a new set of challenges for a new era
Assembly co-Chairs Meriki Onus and Djaran Murray-Jackson commit to listening to community and “hit the ground running” to “bring about tangible and immediate change”.
20 May 2026
Kinship care vs. western foster care system: How to embed culture in children’s lives
In this episode of VAN Talks, Sheree Lowe explains the difference between a kinship carer and a traditional foster carer in the Western system. She also gives some great examples of how to embed Indigenous culture in children’s lives.
7 May 2026
Pushing multicultural and immigrant communities to take reconciliation lead
Former Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Shankar Kasynathan speaks out about the role that multicultural and immigrant communities can play in the reconciliation field
4 May 2026
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung join list of TOs ready for Treaty
Uncle Andrew Gardiner and Dale Wandin from Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung speak to VAN about the Traditional Owner group’s entry onto the Treaty Authority’s register.
30 April 2026
Truth Telling: The real history of our First Nation’s Veterans
Charles Pakana sits down with Peter Bakker to discuss a very important topic: Aboroiginal people who have served in the Australian forces. Listen in to this discussion on how the army provided a rare space of racal equality where mateship often superseded discrimination.
27 April 2026
Taungurung signifies intent to commence local Treaty negotiations
Charles Pakana yarns with Taungurung CEO, Matt Burns, to discuss the historic steps being taken by the Taungurung people toward Treaty negotiations with the state government. Matt talks about the community’s journey toward independence through the Victorian Treaty pathway.