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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 weeklyEpisodes175Founded3 years ago
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Society & CultureNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

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Principal lawyer and founder of AMK Law, Matthew Karakoulakis, unpacks critical new updates to Australia’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP). He looks past the percentages on paper to explore why true First Nations economic self-d... more

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This is an episode not to be missed. Yorta Yorta man and award-winning journalist, Daniel James, gives a one-on-one interview with VAN Talks to discuss the critical role of First Nations media. Discussing current threats to communit... more

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12 months after first speaking with Shelley Ware, one of Australia’s foremost First Nations education system reform advocates, we catch up again to talk about the future of Victoria’s education system in a post-Yoorrook era.

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In an interview with Victorian Aboriginal News’ Charles Pakana, Settlers Council of Australia CEO Maria Dimopoulos reflects on her first 12 months in the role. She addresses a profound, 25-year oversight: the total absence of dialog... more

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Recent Guests

Shelley Ware
Educator and journalist; Wurangu woman
Episode: S05-E13: Advancing Victoria’s education model in a post-Yoorrook era
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.”
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
Shankar Karsynathan
Former refugee from Sri Lanka, former Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, advocate for First Nations and immigrant communities
Victorian Multicultural Commission; advocate with First Nations communities
Episode: S05-E05: Can multicultural Australia lead the way in First Nations reconciliation?: the connection between new arrivals and 65,000 years of First Nations history

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-E09: Native Title in the Victorian context with Kaley Nicholson
Q: Why is there fear or resistance among local governments regarding Native Title claims?
Fear often stems from political narratives and a misperception that Native Title grants veto power or threatens private property; in reality it is a consultative and negotiated process with no unilateral veto and must align with broader public interests.
S05-E09: Native Title in the Victorian context with Kaley Nicholson
Q: What does Native Title actually enable in terms of economic activity or development?
In Victoria, Native Title may enable rights to negotiate over resources and certain uses, but it does not grant full ownership or unbounded control; the framework often focuses on resource sharing, royalties, or conditions around developments rather than outright title.
S05-E09: Native Title in the Victorian context with Kaley Nicholson
Q: From the Federation's perspective, how do Native Title and TOZA complement or conflict with each other?
Native Title provides recognition and negotiation rights where it exists, but much land is extinguished or unavailable; TOZA offers a governance and negotiation framework to keep Indigenous interests at the table even when Native Title cannot be pursued, ensuring care for country and potential benefits.
S05-E12: CEO of Settlement Council of Australia says, “It's time to roll up the sleeves and make it happen.”
Q: What are your personal thoughts on the claim that reconciliation is dead, and how do you respond?
She argues reconciliation rests with everyone, emphasizes the Uluru Statement as an invitation to walk together, and stresses that true reconciliation requires responsibility from non-Indigenous communities and sustained, truthful engagement rather than blame or complacency.
S05-E12: CEO of Settlement Council of Australia says, “It's time to roll up the sleeves and make it happen.”
Q: What are some of the key challenges, political, social and otherwise, that you see in achieving your goals?
She notes powerful interests attempting to undermine reconciliation efforts, the spread of disinformation, and resistance within parts of the sector; the path forward involves clear communication, robust partnerships (e.g., with Reconciliation Australia), and sustained outreach.

Audience Metrics

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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. We Used to be Journos
2. 7am
3. Full Story
4. The Imperfects
5. Lamestream

How many episodes of VAN Talks Podcast are there?

VAN Talks Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 175 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. Shelley Ware
2. Maria Dimopoulos
3. Kayleigh Nicholson
4. Dan Bourchier
5. Meriki Onus
6. Djaran Murray-Jackson
7. Karen Diver
8. Sheree Lowe

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