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VAN Talks Podcast

Victorian Aboriginal News
Reconciliation
Treaty
Victoria
Victorian Aboriginal News
First Peoples' Assembly Of Victoria
Aboriginal Culture
Truth-Telling
Dingo
Local Government
Aboriginal Rights
Koorie Heritage Trust
Victorian Treaty
Self-Determination
Traditional Owners
Cultural Heritage
Racism
First Nations Voice To Parliament
Victorian Government
Treaty Authority
Closing the Gap

Heading back to our roots and building on the work we undertook in the leadup to the 2023 Referendum, Victorian Aboriginal News (VAN) Talks focuses on the positivity that is Aboriginal Victoria. Covering everything from Voice, Treaty and Truth and Reconciliation through to Aboriginal businesses and Traditional Owner initiatives, the VAN Talks podcast is the only podcast that travels across the Sta... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes183Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

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Sixteen-year-old Lola Wood-Sharples speaks out on VAN Talks, calling for real accountability on Closing the Gap targets and demanding meaningful action over empty government promises.

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We sit down with First Nations radio pioneer Uncle Joel Wright, discussing the past, present and future of Blak voices on Australian radio.

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An acclaimed Victorian Aboriginal artist, Bayley Mifsud, discusses navigating major corporate collaborations while safeguarding cultural integrity. She highlights the vital importance of connection to Country, honouring Southeastern... more

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Recent Guests

Matthew Karakoulakis
Kokatha and Noorunga man, principal lawyer and founder of AMK Law
AMK Law
Episode: S05-E15: Demand for true accountability in Indigenous Procurement Policy
Maria Dimopoulos
CEO of the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA)
Settlement Council of Australia
Episode: S05-E12: CEO of Settlement Council of Australia says, “It's time to roll up the sleeves and make it happen.”
Charles Pakana
Veteran journalist and interviewee in the special episode
Victorian Aboriginal News (VAN)
Episode: S05-E10: Behind the face of VAN with Charles Pakana in the interviewee seat!
Kayleigh Nicholson
CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations
Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations
Episode: S05-E09: Native Title in the Victorian context with Kaley Nicholson
Dan Bourchier
General Manager of NITV, veteran journalist
NITV (National Indigenous Television)
Episode: S05-E08: NITV General Manager speaks to the future of First Nations media
Meriki Onus
Gunngai and Gunnajumara co-chair of Gellung Warl
Glungell Warl / Co-Chair
Episode: S05-E07: A new First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria with a new set of challenges for a new era
Djaran Murray-Jackson
Gunnai and Gunnajumara co-chair of Gellung Warl
Gellung Warl / Co-Chair
Episode: S05-E07: A new First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria with a new set of challenges for a new era
Karen Diver
Aunty, referenced in cultural grounding session
Advisor / Cultural grounding facilitator
Episode: S05-E07: A new First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria with a new set of challenges for a new era
Sheree Lowe
Guest expert discussing kinship care in Aboriginal communities
VAT Show, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization
Episode: S05-E06: Kinship care vs. western foster care system: How to embed culture in children's lives

Host

Charles Pakana
Host focusing on Indigenous governance, treaty, and truth-telling discussions; long-standing host with a track record of engaging diverse voices.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Really Appreciate this podcast. Thank you.

    Have been listening to these episodes back to back. This podcast is a gem.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Olly Phyllis
    Australiaa year ago
  • Uncle Charles is a legend doing something legendary

    Uncle Charles is not only a badass MC - who keeps an event running to time like nobody’s business while also keeping the audience engaged and sometimes laughing - he is a superb interviewer.

    The space he has created on VAN Talks, into which he invites diverse voices in to yarn, tell stories and share, is SO valuable and SO needed for us non-indigenous activists for justice.

    I’m learning so much and loving every minute. Thank you Uncle Charles, please keep doing what you do. We appreciate you.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rebjmccann
    Australia2 years ago
  • New Favourite Podcast!

    Uncle Charles’ is skilful and curious as an interviewer. I learn a lot every episode and look forward to each new one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mon is so over this
    Australia2 years ago
  • Exceptional podcast

    Charles Pakana delivers an incredible podcast - a must listen for all non-Aboriginal people who are curious and interested to expand their knowledge of local Indigenous perspectives and experiences. Absolutely love it!! Thank you for making this podcast so accessible for everyone. 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    howquabliss
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Engaging host who conducts thoughtful, respectful interviews with diverse Indigenous voices.
Provides accessible insights into complex topics like treaty and truth-telling.
High-quality content that broadens understanding of Aboriginal Victoria and reconciliation efforts.
The host builds trust and keeps conversations informative and engaging for non-Indigenous listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S05-E15: Demand for true accountability in Indigenous Procurement Policy
Q: Would you have advocated for the immediate 3% increase up from 2.5% to 4% by 2030, or would you suggest something different considering community input and governance checks?
The ethos matters—the decision should be guided by authentic relationships and accountability. A simple percentage rise without robust accountability mechanisms risks funding black-cladded entities; so any increase should be paired with strong transparency and genuine engagement with communities.
S05-E15: Demand for true accountability in Indigenous Procurement Policy
Q: Matthew, let's talk about the 50 to 51% ownership jump that was introduced in these changes. How do we determine a business' First Nation's effective control?
Effective control is not just about share percentages; it's about who is making the decisions, who controls finances, and how day-to-day operations are run. Transparency and access to critical information are essential to identify an authentic Aboriginal business beyond ticking boxes.
S05-E10: Behind the face of VAN with Charles Pakana in the interviewee seat!
Q: What happened to start your journey into podcasting and VAN?
It began with radio around ten years ago when he connected with Uncle Jim Remedio, leading to a transition from traditional journalism to First Nations current affairs and the birth of VAN as Connection Matters Radio.
S05-E10: Behind the face of VAN with Charles Pakana in the interviewee seat!
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A continued VAN with young Aboriginal journalists taking up public-interest journalism, with a focus on truth-telling, reconciliation, and promoting the voices and truths of First Nations Victoria.
S05-E10: Behind the face of VAN with Charles Pakana in the interviewee seat!
Q: Walk me through where you see VAN Talks going in the next decade.
The guest envisions expanding reach to numerous community radio stations across Victoria, increasing content wherever possible, and adding vidcasts while keeping the focus on First Nations voices and truth-telling.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About VAN Talks Podcast

What is VAN Talks Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on First Nations leadership, governance, and reconciliation in Victoria and across Australia. Episodes frequently feature Indigenous leaders, historians, and policymakers discussing treaty processes, truth-telling, place-based storytelling, and community-driven solutions in health, housing, education, and economic development. A notable strength is its mixture of on-the-ground governance conversations with culturally grounded perspectives from elders, scholars, and activists, often linking local outcomes to national conversations about Australia's democratic future.

A standout quality is the host's ability to bring diverse Indigenous voices into tangible policy and community actions, making complex topics accessible wh... more

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Which podcasts are similar to VAN Talks Podcast?

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1. Lamestream
2. 7am
3. We Used to be Journos
4. Politics Now
5. Chat 10 Looks 3

How many episodes of VAN Talks Podcast are there?

VAN Talks Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 183 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on VAN Talks Podcast?

Recent guests on VAN Talks Podcast include:

1. Matthew Karakoulakis
2. Maria Dimopoulos
3. Charles Pakana
4. Kayleigh Nicholson
5. Dan Bourchier
6. Meriki Onus
7. Djaran Murray-Jackson
8. Karen Diver

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