THE VAN TALKS PODCAST
COMPLETE PODCAST LIBRARY
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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