First Nations First

Indigenous-led businesses and traders are having a growing impact on the nation’s economy, a new snapshot has shown. Their growing impact doesn't just extend to monetary value, but also more opportunity and self determination for Indigenous people.

The Alice Springs youth curfew has come to an end with the town's mayor and the Northern Territory chief minister praising it as a success. The measure was aimed at addressing a recent surge in violent crime in the Central Australian town. However, some First Nations residents and lawyers have criticised the extreme measure calling it a band-aid solution at best.

When Geoff Anderson suffered a horrific work accident, he fell into a deep depression. Then one day he received a knock on the door that would change his life, leading him to discover his Indigenous heritage language and gain a new perspective on life. In this episode Hannah Kwon chats to Geoff Anderson about his journey from suffering a mental health breakdown to eventually turning his life aroun...

Archaeologists have discovered ancient Indigenous artifacts on an island off Cape York, challenging the long held notion that Indigenous Australians did not make pottery. The discovery of 82 pieces of Indigenous pottery on Jiigurru is the earliest ever identified in Australia, and provides a glimpse into just how far back the craftsmanship and innovation of Australia's Traditional Owners really st...

Lung and cervical cancer are in the spotlight at a global First Nations health conference underway in Naarm, Melbourne. The World Indigenous Cancer Conference aims to foster better working relationships and collaboration between experts from across the globe.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in South Australia are voting to elect the first state Voice to Parliament in the country. Last March the state legislated a model for an Indigenous voice to parliament, ahead of the national referendum on a voice to Federal Parliament. So how will it work and why do the candidates think it will be a good thing for communities?

Who will raise the iconic glass microphone trophy at this year's 2024 Eurovision song contest? Australia are in with a chance, with the country's pick for this year's competition announced as South Australian duo, Electric Fields. But the competition is making news for other reasons, too, with Israel's public broadcaster agreeing to revise the lyrics of its potential submission to Eurovision.

New data shows an Indigenous-led model of maternity care is reducing rates of child removal at birth from Indigenous mothers. It comes as a Productivity Commission report has highlighted the failure of government to reduce the issues of out-of-home care for Indigenous children.

The power of music to change our mood and evoke memories is well known. In this episode of Change Agents we look at a project that is exploring the role music plays in healing and improving health outcomes in Indigenous communities.

Remote Northern Territory communities in West Arnhem Land are calling for a Senate Inquiry into telecommunications companies operating in the bush. It follows a recent 3G Telstra outage that lasted for several weeks, with disastrous consequences.

The Australian Medical Association is calling on the federal government to allow prisoners access to Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In a submission to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, the AMA outlines what it calls 'inequitable healthcare for people in custody'. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are warned this story includes references to a person wh...

In this episode of Living Loss, we explore one of the world's oldest civilisations, looking at the complex and diverse ways First Nations Australians navigate grief. We look at the intersection of intergenerational trauma and grief, as well as discover the ancient rituals and sanctity around death in Aboriginal Australian communities.

The Queensland University of Technology has announced plans to open Australia's first faculty dedicated to First nations wisdom. The Faculty of Indigenous Knowledges and Cultures will operate as a stand-alone unit alongside others such as Engineering and Law .. and will deliver academic programs and conduct research.

A new report has called for a shake-up of the criminal justice system to reduce the rate of re-offending. It says jail isn't working, and more community-based support services are needed.

First Nations artists and performers from across the country have joined forces to unpack Australia's history of colonisation in song. It's the first time Jane Harrison's award-winning story 'The Visitors' has been turned into an opera, with hopes it will help foster understanding and reconciliation.

Indigenous "Yes" campaigners have spoken out against what they call the "shameful" October 14 referendum result, which saw 60.69% vote "No" to questions on enshrining in the Constitution an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. They've sent a letter - that hasn't been signed by individuals - criticising misinformation, inadequate support from the federal Opposition, and the media's handling of the campa...

The prime minister and his government have been criticised over the failed referendum for an Indigenous Voice as parliament resumes. But politicians from both major parties are pledging a renewed focus on closing the Indigenous disadvantage gap.

Voting is now underway in the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum, the first referendum for Australia since 1999. Millions are voting in a referendum for the first time – and campaigners are making their final pitches to convince them to decide on either yes or no.

The 'Yes' movement is gearing up for the final full day of campaigning before Australians cast their votes on the Indigenous voice referendum, with the Prime Minister making a mad dash across the country. Meanwhile the 'No' campaign is quietly confident of success.

Australian election officials have detailed the ground rules for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum on Saturday. It comes as opinion polling continues to suggest defeat for the question in Saturday's vote. But with most of the Coalition supporting the No case, one Liberal MP has made a last-minute plea to voters, hoping to convince them to support change.

In 1967 Australia’s most successful referendum saw nine out of ten people vote yes, to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders in the census… and allow the Commonwealth to legislate for them. But on the far west coast of South Australia, communities in Penong and Ceduna bucked the national trend, recording some of the highest no votes in the country. SBS visited the area to see how it has cha...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been focusing on the regions in the lead-up to Saturday's Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, while the Electoral Commission is urging voters to be respectful at polling booths as tensions are heightened.

As bushfires start burning earlier each year, a winemaker in Tasmania is preparing by asking his local Aboriginal group to do a cultural burn. The vineyard is at Flowerpot, about an hour's drive south of Hobart. Those lighting the fires are caring for country, and themselves as the burns help them connect with ancient knowledge, wisdom, and culture.

Losing a limb through amputation is sometimes described by advocates as the 'hidden' disability. National Amputee Awareness Week puts the experience of amputation in the spotlight.

High profile domestic and international musicians and actors are starting to mobilise support for a Yes vote in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum. Those pushing to squash the referendum are confident they are in the lead but a prominent former prime minister leading the 'No' campaign has faced public heckling while casting his ballot.