THE VAN TALKS PODCAST
The heart and soul of Victorian Aboriginal News - the VAN Talks podcast.
11 May 2025
The need for Aboriginal cultures and histories in the Australian educational curriculum
One of Australia’s foremost authorities on – and advocates for – Aboriginal cultures and histories in the education system, Shelley Ware, talks with Charles about the need for change and how that change can be achieved.
2 May 2025
The Koorie Heritage Trust 40 years on – its relevance and role
As the Koorie Heritage Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary, Charles catches up with the Trust’s veteran CEO, Tom Mosby, to discuss the organisation’s relevance and role
22 April 2025
The man behind the force that is IndigenousX – Luke Pearson
For nearly 15 years, IndigenousX has been “stirring the pot” as a niche and fearless Blak media outlet. In this episode I catch up with it’s CEO and founder, Luke Pearson.
15 April 2025
Shining the light on Australian indigenous entrepreneurship
Professor Dennis Foley, a descendent of the Gai-mariagal people, speaks openly about the important cultural context of this subject as well as calling out key changes that need to be implemented in order for Blak businesses to be given better chances for success.
10 April 2025
Australian War Memorial at last makes moves to recognise Defence of Country/Frontier Wars
Following years of advocacy from historians and community, the Australian War Memorial is embarking on a project that will see “Defence of Country” realised in the form of a Frontier War exhibition within the next few years. We speak with the Indigenous Liaison Officer, Michael Bell.
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