VAN Talks Podcast

Send us Fan Mail As submissions and evidence-giving closes for Victoria’s groundbreaking Yoorrook Royal Commission into truth-telling, VAN’s Charles Pakana catches up with Commissioner and Deputy Chair Sue-Anne Hunter. Together, they look back at the process that is set to bring about major systemic change across the State.

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our investigation into the State Government’s blatant disregard of First Nations’ advice on the matter of dingo protection in Victoria, VAN’s Charles Pakana speaks with the CEO of DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung clans, Uncle Rodney Carter. This conversation adds further weight to what appears to be a politically - or otherwise? - motivated decision by Ministers Ros Spen...

Send us Fan Mail On a recent trip up to Latje Latje Country, specifically Mildura, VAN's Charles Pakana caught up with Barkindji Elder, Uncle Col Clark. Sitting by the southern bank of the mighty Murray River, they yarned about reconciliation in a post-referendum Victoria.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the VAN Talks podcast, VAN’s Charles Pakana talks with CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, Paul Paton. They discuss the clear lack of consultation from the Victorian Government with Traditional Owners on the matter of baiting and trapping the culturally important and significant dingo.

Send us Fan Mail Nearly six years ago, I traveled across Victoria shadowing Aunty Jill Gallagher, then the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, and catching up with numerous traditional owners who had stepped forward as candidates for election to the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria. During that time, just about five and a half years ago, I met up with one of those candidates at his...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode VAN's Charles Pakana sits down for a yarn with Aboriginal reform advocate and activist, Bunurong woman Zoe Upton. Together they discuss 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. A must-listen episode for...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our deep dive into the Victorian Government's decision to extend the unprotection order on dingoes up until 2028, VAN's Charles Pakana travels to Apollo Bay to speak to Yuin man and academic, Dr Jack Pascoe. In this interview, the two discuss the implications of Victoria's key piece of archaic wildlife legislation that is nearing its 50th anniversary.

Send us Fan Mail As we continue pursuing the facts behind the Victorian Government's strange decision to extend an Order in Council, taking unprotection of dingoes across much of the state through to 2028, VAN's Charles Pakana sits with with Professor Euan Ritchie, one of Australia's foremost environmental scientists. Together they discuss the science behind the need for the dingo,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode VAN’s Charles Pakana sits down with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung cultural educator Thane Garvey to discuss ways in which Aboriginal culture - language, caring for country, etc. - can be brought into our day-to-day lives.

Send us Fan Mail While a growing number of people and businesses seek to support Blak businesses, there is an unfortunate prevalence of businesses following a practice of "black cladding" to rip off the unaware

Send us Fan Mail Ever the optimist and activist, exactly one year on from the failed referendum to achieve a First Nations Voice in our Constitution, Thomas Mayo speaks about his book Always Was Always Will Be and his ongoing encouragement for all Australians to work together for a better and more just country

Send us Fan Mail In a move many describe as primarily politically motivated, the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has extended a dingo UNprotection order across areas of Victoria through to 2028. Traditional Owner groups, environmentalists and animal welfare groups are seeking to have the government rescind the order. Today, Charles Pakana speaks with Taunguru...

Send us Fan Mail Sitting at Tae Rak on Gunditjmara Country in the state's South-West, VAN's Charles Pakana catches up with the Budj Bim General Manager Joseph Saunders, discussing the story behind the place. 

Send us Fan Mail In a bit of a change, it's Charles' turn to be interviewed about Treaty as he is joined by Reconciliation Victoria's Communications lead, Anna Van Vliet. They explore various questions that have come in to Rec Vic from members of its 30+ local reconciliation group network and shed truth where so much misinformation is rife. 

Send us Fan Mail A simple interview with Constitutional law expert Professor Cheryl Saunders about the legal meaning of "treaty" evolves to embrace a broad range of important related matters.

Send us Fan Mail OK, so it may seem a bit of a dry subject - philanthropy - but when you start to explore how, through its decolonisation, it can deliver major benefits to the broader community, the lightbulbs start to flicker on in our minds. We speak about this with the CEO of Woor Dungin, Yuin man, Shaun Middlebrook

Send us Fan Mail Once again Sky News commentator Peta Credlin and the Federal Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Jacinta Price, have been proven wrong in commentary. This time, it's all about Victorian Treaty and a specific community education event.

Send us Fan Mail Throughout 2023 and 2024, two research leads at the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice undertook an innovative project to build reconciliation capabilities, strengths and leadership with the Victorian multicultural communities. In this episode I speak with both of them, Greek-born Maria and Sri Lankan-born Shankar, about this amazing project and the work yet to...

Send us Fan Mail In this incredibly candid interview, VAN’s Charles Pakana talks with local Ballarat elder, Noongar man Uncle Al Harris, to discuss the state of reconciliation within the Victorian regional city of Ballarat. One of the major calls is for a local truth-telling initiative.

Send us Fan Mail On the 17th of September this year, the opportunity closes for the lodgement of either a comment or dispute regarding the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria meeting minimum standards to negotiate a statewide treaty. To gain a greater understanding of the process and implications, we speak with Treaty Authority member, Yorta Yorta man Uncle Andrew Jackomos.

Send us Fan Mail During a recent visit to Coranderrk, VAN’s Charles Pakana caught up for a yarn about the Woi-wurrung language with advocate, speaker and teacher Brooke Wandin. Without any doubt, the Woi-wurrung language, like other First Nations languages across Australia is having new life breathed into it.

Send us Fan Mail Discussing everything from the referendum and cultural responsibilities right through to conservative media and "what's next", we engage in an in-depth interview with Bruce Pascoe.

Send us Fan Mail Taking a position of leadership, the Mayor of Merri-Bek (formerly Moreland) talks openly about his and the city’s aspirations to enter into Treaty negotiations with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, the Traditional Owners of the country.

Send us Fan Mail We hear all the time from the Commissioners of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, but what about those few people who are working every day with community to receive the truth about system injustices - past and current - heaped on Aboriginal people? We speak with two of the Yoorrook Truth Receivers to discuss their challenges and the goals they wish to see achieved.

Send us Fan Mail In a far-reaching interview with Victorian Aboriginal News, co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg, responds to questions covering nuances of the Treaty Negotiation Framework, treaty readiness and the future of truth-telling in Victoria beyond the Yoorrook Justice Commission.