Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: Please note that this site contains images and references to people who have died.

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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.

20 April 2026

Travis Lovett on the National Walk for Truth

Charles Pakana has a yarn with Travis Lovett, a Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man and former Yoorrook Justice Commissioner, 18 hours before he leaves to leads the 2026 National Walk for Truth. This 800km journey from Narrm to Canberra advocates for a national truth-telling process and collective healing.

16 April 2026

Yoorrook evidence and submissions being made open and available to the public

We catch up with Professor Peter Radoll and explore how the massive amount of Yoorrook evidence and submissions will never be relegated to sit on the shelf and gather dust.

10 April 2026

Treaty in Ink: Understanding the Victorian Treaty Scroll

We meet up with Dr Megan Evans and Clare Land to find out more about the Victorian Treaty Scroll, which represents a powerful community call for justice. Adorned with thousands of fingerprints, this living document symbolises a collective commitment to formalise a Treaty between the State and First Peoples.

7 April 2026

The $1 Billion Benefit: Why investing in Traditional Owners pays off

Despite the Treaty Act of 2025, Victoria’s Traditional Owners face new challenges. Charles Pakana and Kaley Nicholson discuss local Treaty complexities, a $76 million funding gap, and the potential $1 billion return on investment.

Cassandra Lewis, on the left, wears a black dress and a colourful beaded necklace. Andrew Cooney, on the right, wears a grey suit jacket and a light blue shirt. In the bottom right, three small flags (Torres Strait Islander, Australian, and Aboriginal) are displayed. The image includes a "VAN TALKS" logo in the top right and a quote at the bottom: "Shared responsibility, mutual accountability and ongoing governance. - Cassandra Lewis."

30 March 2026

Yilingga Marna: A new era of shared governance for Dja Dja Wurrung and Bendigo

Djaara and the City of Greater Bendigo move beyond transactional MOUs with Yilingga Marna, a groundbreaking agreement embedding self-determination and shared governance into local decision-making.

An older man, James Woods, wearing headphones and a patterned blue shirt, speaks into a professional microphone during a podcast. The image includes the "VAN TALKS" logo in the top right and a quote in an orange banner at the bottom that reads, "We should have a long weekend every year, no matter what!" James Woods

27 March 2026

Simple executive decision: The fix for Australia Day?

James Woods from the Australian Long Weekend Initiative proposes moving Australia Day to the second-last Monday in January. This shift promises a long weekend every year, boosts business productivity, and fosters national unity for all Australians.

A man with glasses and headphones speaks into a professional microphone during a podcast recording. A logo for "Van Talks" is in the corner, and an orange banner at the bottom reads: "Indigenous-led education: A deep dive into the Dilin Duwa Centre."

25 March 2026

Unlocking the potential of the Indigenous business sector with Paul Paton

There's enormous potential for indigenous business leaders to deliver major positive economic benefit to all of Australia. Dilin Duwa's Paul Paton speaks out about this.

23 March 2026

The tide changes across Victoria in favour of Treaty, Truth and reconciliation

New survey figures demonstrate a clear shift towards support for Treaty, Truth and reconciliation across Victoria. We speak with Professors Andrew Gunstone and Professor Emma-Jay Gavin.

15 March 2026

The critical need for self-determination in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services

Academic and lawyer Eddie Cubillo speaks out about the need for ATSILS to embrace true self-determination and the voices of the community members they serve

26 February 2026

Australia’s first Federal Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

With legislation before Parliament to cement the powers of the Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, we catch up with country's first Commissioner under that legislation.

20 February 2026

Election 2026 – The future of Victorian Treaty is in your hands and your ballot

Arguably one of the most important Assembly elections, the 2026 election for "Assembly 3.0" kicks off on the 21st of March. We catch up with the people responsible for running and overseeing the process

18 February 2026

Victorian firefighters forging a culturally safe service

VAN visits Station 63 in Geelong to yarn with Yorta Yorta man Aaron Felmingham and Adnyamathanha/Narungga man Brett Goodes about Fire Rescue Victoria's First Nations recruitment pathway, the transition from AFL to the fire service, and the importance of cultural safety.

12 February 2026

Striving to promote and support a strong Blak business environment in Victoria

The importance of a stronger and more resilient Blak business environment? We hear about this from Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Chair, Trent Brickle.

10 February 2026

Promoting and supporting Blak music across Victoria – the challenges and successes

With the music industry becoming increasingly competitive and difficult for young artists, we catch up with Brad Brown, General Manager of Blak-led Songlines

4 February 2026

A look inside the Blak newspaper Koori Mail

As we continue to explore the importance of Blak media in Australia, VAN's Charles Pakana catches up for a yarn with the editor of Koori Mail, Todd Condie.

2 February 2026

2026 – Setting the future of Treaty in Victoria

With elections for the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria taking place in April/May, the Victorian Treaty process is ramping up

22 January 2026

Join in on the 2026 Walk for National Truth-Telling – Travis Lovett speaks exclusively to VAN

He's at it again - this time nationally! Travis Lovett, who led the Victorian Walk for Truth in 2025 is about to embark upon a National Walk for Truth from Melbourne to the Federal Parliament House

17 December 2025

Treaty and First Nations Minister, Natalie Hutchins MP, speaks frankly about Treaty with Victorian Aboriginal News

Barely three days out from her resignation from Cabinet, Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Treaty and First Nations shares her insights and experiences with Victorian Aboriginal News

16 December 2025

First Nations story-telling carries culture and lore

Increasingly - and fortunately - a new age of "digital" story-telling professionals are emerging to ensure stories are protected from the ravages of time. VAN catches up with one such story-teller, Yorta Yorta and Woi-wurrung man Mark Thomson.

10 December 2025

Victorian Traditional Owners call for critical minerals mining agreements with State Government

As the need and demand for critical minerals increases, we catch up with the CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners Cooperation, Kaley Nicholson, about the state government dragging its heels on reaching agreements with Traditional Owners across the state.

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