First Nations Media News September 2021

Focussing on sounds from blues, RnB, rap, country, desert rock, reggae and dance, the album transverses powerful stories about life and loss, strength and healing and the experiences of being First Nations in so-called Australia.

First Sounds delivers fresh Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music to community radio with the album distributed to over 250 community radio stations and broadcasters, creating awesome exposure for our emerging First Nations artists. You can stream First Sounds VOL.6 here

Although the first Induction session was held virtually, due to COVID, some fantastic knowledge was shared across the country. Jenni gained some powerful insights from the discussions, including using her strengths, resilience in leadership, structured thinking practice and networking amongst many more valuable lessons.

The leadership program will provide significant impact for both Jenni and First Nations Media Australia. We look forward to updating our Members on Jenni’s progress in the program over the coming months.

Congratulations to Chevon McKenzie who has just completed a month-long internship at the ABC TV’s Behind the News (BTN), a current affairs program aimed at upper primary and high school students.Chevon is one of our Regional Reporters in the Capacity Building and News Sharing Project which began in October 2020 and has been developing since. The aim of the project is to facilitate the sharing of news stories between member organisations and to build capacity for Community Reporters in regional and remote areas, expanding on their existing work.

Chevon started her media career at the Port Augusta Aboriginal community media provider, Umeewarra Media. In just over a year, she picked up live broadcast, filming and presenting skills.

"When I first started using my voice, I was terrified but working in the media I've been getting more and more comfortable," Ms McKenzie told the ABC.

Chevon hopes to set an example for other aspiring First Nations journalists like herself to use their voices and get involved in the media.

The original story from the ABC, can be found here

Wayne Bynder and Kirstyn Lindsay have started work on the sector-wide Infrastructure Audit, compiling equipment information from media organisations across the country to get an overall picture of the current infrastructure in place and what’s working and what’s not. A sector-wide stocktake. It’s really important that as many media organisations as possible provide input to this audit so we can get the most solid collective data. Wayne and Kirstyn are contacting all media organisations at the moment, so please have your asset register up to date and ready to have a chat with them.

First Nations Media Australia participated in a recent Community Broadcasting Sector Roundtable meeting alongside other community media peak bodies. The group discussed data development plans and emerging policy areas of focus. FNMA is providing feedback to the ACMA on a new draft of the B66 license renewal form, aiming to simplify and streamline administrative processes around 5-year license renewals. Current submissions in progress relate to the Human Rights Commission’s Anti-Racism Framework, the NIAA’s Indigenous Skills, engagement and employment program discussion paper and development of the NIAA’s Indigenous Digital Inclusion Plan. If any FNMA member would like to have input or discuss submissions on these topics, contact claire@firstnationsmedia.org.au

FNMA made a submission and spoke at a public hearing on an Inquiry into Pathways and Participation Opportunities for Indigenous Australians in Employment and Business. The Committee tabled its report to Parliament this week containing recommended changes to the CDP. The Committee noted FNMA’s feedback on disparities between the CDP and Jobactive programs and has recommended better alignment between the two amongst a number of recommended improvements to CDP delivery. Noting feedback from FNMA on the capacity of First Nations media organisations to provide supportive places for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build confidence and pursue their goals, the Committee also recommended that mentoring becomes a central component of any new employment program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Read the full report here.

Every year, the CMTO provides a range of free courses to community media organisations across Australia to develop skills for volunteers, staff, and board members. They offer accredited and non-accredited (Pathways) training opportunities in a variety of skills. With online learning, face to face, and blended delivery options available, you find out more and complete the online application for free training at your station here. Applications close Friday 17th September 2021 at 11.59PM.

Support Acts dedicated online mental health series for First Nations music workers, Yarning Strong, returns on Friday 1 October 2021. Keeping Mob Mentally Healthy will be co-hosted by artist Mitch Tambo and Support Act First Nations Community Engagement & Social Worker, Cerisa Grant, with the session touching on mental health, suicide and self-harm in the First Nations music community and how these topics are seldom discussed. The session is free and First Nations people across the country are invited to attend. To register, click here.

The symposium will explore opportunities for harmonisation and interoperability amongst the collecting communities, organisations, and institutions. Participants will discuss possible collaborations, opportunities, actions and solutions for organisations with collections of cultural materials and develop frameworks to facilitate and support the ongoing preservation of these beyond 2025.

Registrations will open soon, but you can contact Mark Denbow for more information in the meantime via mark.denbow@aiatsis.gov.au

Aboriginal Affairs NSW is offering grants up to $10,000 COVID-19 Aboriginal Community Response Grants Program for Aboriginal run or controlled organisations. The Program will provide small quick response grants to support Aboriginal communities across NSW to reduce their risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and enable them to manage the impacts of the pandemic. Funding can contribute to social and emotional wellbeing support; keeping communities connected; responding to immediate needs; and advocacy and information. Applications close 19 November 2021. Read more.