First Nations First

As a referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament draws closer, disucssions about Treaty have dominated political debate. Whether or not the referendum for an Indigenous Voice suceeds, several states have already embarked on their own treaty process, turning to a close neighbour and friend, New Zealand, for guidance. Political correspondent Sara Tomevska was recently in Wellington, and spoke to...

As a referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament draws closer... discussions about Treaty have dominated political debate. Whether or not the referendum for an Indigenous Voice succeeds, several states have already embarked on their own treaty process, turning to a close neighbour and friend, New Zealand, for guidance.

Indigenous Football Australia says FIFA is yet to allocate money from the World Cup Legacy Fund for First Nations programs. Football Australia insists grassroots community groups will see funding but so far nothing has been confirmed.

The Prime Minister has thrown the national spotlight on north east Arnhem Land’s local Indigenous council, holding it up as an example of what a successful referendum could do to change the nation. The influential local Yolngu council - known as the Dilak - has given strong backing for the National Indigenous Voice to Parliament at the Garma festival… a legacy of their leader.

A group of school students has participated in an Indigenous Cultural Immersion day in Sydney. It's a process that helps to teach students about aspects of Indigenous culture.

Songs, dances and stories of the Torres Strait Islands are being celebrated by children in Victoria. The students are part of a choral experience aimed at increasing their understanding of a culture thousands of kilometres away.

The very first Garma Festival was held just before the turn of the millennium, in 1999. Led by the late Yunupingu it was a small-scale event, little more than a backyard barbecue. But the mission of its founders remains: to be a cross-cultural meeting of leaders to discuss improving standards of living for all First Nations people.

Some LGBTIQ+ groups around the country have united in support of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Equality Australia, which grew from the push for marriage equality, says a yes vote will create a level of fairness and equality not yet seen in Australia.

Fire authorities looking to avoid a repeat of the devastating bushfires of 2019 and 2020, are investigating how cultural burning can become a more accessible service. Representatives from eleven Local Aboriginal Land Councils have come together with other fire mitigation groups, to discuss how their practices can reduce fire hazards and promote land regeneration.

July 30 marks the 15th anniversary of a court case that gave sea-rights to the Yolngu people. The win guaranteed Aboriginal people ownership of around 80% of Northern Territory’s coastline, a ruling that included precedence over any commercial interests or fishing. And a series of bark paintings was at the centre of the ruling.

More than 60 Indigenous troops who served in the Korean War have been officially recognised, coinciding with the anniversary of the end to fighting in the conflict. Experts say it's a major step to honouring the sacrifices of First Nations veterans and recording what their lives were like during and after the war.

The honeypot ant, found in desert areas in Australia, is being studied by researchers for its medicinal qualities.

Traditional owners on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula say a Federal Court ruling stopping a plan to build a radioactive waste dump is a positive outcome for all Australians. The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed the decision and hopes the federal government does not appeal it.

In coming months, every Australian household will receive two pamphlets in their letterbox laying out both cases in the Voice to Parliament Referendum. The Australian Electoral Commission will send out more than 12-million pamphlets laying out the Yes and No cases, which will eventually be translated in to 55 languages.

A new national initiative has been launched which is looking to fill the gaps in genomic data for First Nations Australians. This data is vital in developing personalised treatments for a range of chronic diseases. But the lack of genomic data for First Nations or non-white peoples is actually a global problem.

Later this year, Australians will take part in a referendum where they will be asked to vote YES or NO in answer to the question: Do you support a change to the constitution to recognise the first peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice? But what exactly is the Voice, and what are the arguments for and against it?