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.
21 October 2026
Reconciliation in Seymour – one of Victoria’s highest recorded “No” vote regions
VAN Talks welcomes reconciliation activist Ruth Yeatman, who talks about championing reconciliation in one of Victoria's highest recorded "No" vote regions.
19 October 2026
Understanding the use – and over use – of the Acknowledgement of Country
Wurundjeri Elder and lore man Uncle Bill Nicholson speaks on the program about the Acknowledgement of Country - its uses and occasional over uses
15 October 2026
It’s time Australia recognised a shared history of often brutal “settlement” and expansion
Filmmaker Rachel Perkins unpacks Australia’s brutal frontier wars, revealing how a foundational conflict over land and resources shaped the nation. She discusses historical archives, government complicity, and the path toward national truth-telling.
12 October 2026
Start learning about First Nations cultures without the fear of offending
Cultural educator Thane Garvey explores the complexities of shared Australian culture, addressing non-Indigenous fears, the importance of respectful engagement, and the vital role of education in preserving First Nations heritage.
5 October 2026
The revival of cultural burning practices to remediate Country and help mitigate disasters
Traditional Owners in Victoria are reawakening ancient cultural burning practices to restore landscape health, protect biodiversity, and mitigate wildfire risks through community-led land management and self-determination.
1 October 2026
Implementing First Nations knowledge to heal country
Holmesglen Institute and Trust for Nature offer a First Nations-led Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, empowering mob to care for Country, restore native biodiversity, and lead environmental self-determination.
28 September 2026
It’s time for Australia to acknowledge historic atrocities
New research shows over two million people lived across Australia pre-invasion, shattering colonial myths and underscoring the urgent need for genuine truth-telling and historical accountability.
24 September 2026
First Nations star knowledge predates Western astrophysics by millennia
Astrophysicist Professor Duane Hamacher explores First Nations development and use of astronomy, revealing tens of thousands of years of sophisticated science well outdating Western astrophysics.
21 September 2026
Reclaiming cultural heritage through proper consent frameworks
Existing Australian intellectual property laws fail to safeguard Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. Dr Terri Janke outlines why true consultation, consent, and True Tracks principles are vital for protecting Blak knowledge.
17 September 2026
Media leader urges all Australians to engage with Blak media
National Indigenous Times COO Alexander Wolf discusses expanding into Victoria, combatting online misinformation, protecting First Nations journalists, and why mainstream engagement with Blak media is vital for community self-determination.
11 September 2026
First Nations creatives given safe spaces through Blak and Bright
Skye Cusack discusses how Blak and Bright supports First Nations storytellers year-round through publishing partnerships, digital commissions, education initiatives, and industry advocacy to ensure cultural safety and fair remuneration.
4 September 2026
Ipsos Indigenous Issues 2026 report reveals shift in public focus
New data from Ipsos shows that while mainstream interest in First Nations issues has dropped, majority support for Treaty and truth-telling remains firm, led strongly by younger generations across Australia.
2 September 2026
Long term economic independence at the heart of Victoria Treaty process
Self Determination Fund co-chair Leanne Miller explains how building capital and supporting Traditional Owner unity is driving long-term economic independence and equity across Victoria’s ongoing Treaty process.
29 August 2026
Marcia Langton talks about truth-telling, culture in education…and racism
Laureate Professor Marcia Langton AO discusses navigating everyday racism, moving beyond deficit models, and embedding 65,000 years of Indigenous scientific innovation—from astronomy to fire—into the national curriculum.
24 August 2026
Standing up for Mob through reporting racism and demanding real accountability
Cathy Austin from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission talks about a new podcast series created in partnership with VALS, providing education on the legal tools available to First Nations people who face discrimination in any form.
21 August 2026
Building self-determination on air through independent Aboriginal media
3KND General Manager Grant Hansen has a yarn with us about spending 25 years building independent Aboriginal radio in Melbourne, amplifying community voices, championing local music, and driving genuine self-determination across the airwaves.
14 August 2026
New study highlights connection between harmful misinformation and online hate targeting Mob
Groundbreaking research reveals a tenfold rise in online hate targeting First Nations people. Discover how digital algorithms fuel racism against Mob and what must be done to protect our community.
11 August 2026
Reconciliation Action Plans at a crossroads: Jason Mifsud on the future of RAPs
Are Reconciliation Action Plans still delivering for Mob? Jason Mifsud explores why organisations must shift from symbolic gestures to structural accountability, embedded governance, and genuine self-determination.
7 August 2026
“Systems aren’t broken. They’re working by design”
Garrwa woman Prof. Emma-Jaye Gavin unpacks why Western systems aren't "broken"—they were designed this way—and why governments must act on the findings of truth-telling processes.
3 August 2026
Beyond acknowledgements: How youth redefine reconciliation
Sixteen-year-old Lola Wood-Sharples speaks out on VAN Talks, calling for real accountability on Closing the Gap targets and demanding meaningful action over empty government promises.