First Nations Media News: News content | Music content | Indigenous Digital Leadership Forum

The First Nations Media News Sharing Project held its first community journalism workshop with the Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO) was held in Alice Springs last week. The workshop, conducted by Sharon Davis covered what makes a story newsworthy, interviewing techniques, how to pitch a new story and how to research and produce a news story. It was a good opportunity for Community Reporters to gather together, after only talking to each other online. Two more workshops are planned for Cairns in late March and Broome in late April. We're looking forward to showcasing some of the great reporting the Community Reporter crew have been doing at CONVERGE in May.

The inDigiMOB team has started planning the Indigenous Digital Leadership Forum to be held in Lismore on Tuesday 4 May, running into CONVERGE for those who want to stay on for the annual media conference. The Indigenous Digital Leadership Forum (IDLF), formerly part of Broadband for the Bush conference and known as the Indigenous Focus Day, is a dedicated event hosted by First Nations Media Australia focused on digital inclusion. It brings Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people together to share experiences and ideas about internet connectivity, digital tools, digital content and digital rights. Mark the date on your calendar - more information to come!

FIRST SOUNDS VOL.5 is calling for submissions from emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who want to be heard on radio airwaves. Electronic pop indie singer songwriter Tessa Thames’ featured on 2020’s FIRST SOUNDS VOL.4, and made a distinct impression on Amrap’s community radio charts:

"I'm whole heartedly honoured to be even mentioned amongst the list of super talented artists on 'First Sounds' let alone have my song be involved. Everybody brings their own unique energy to the art they create. Energy they have cultivated on their own and that of their ancestors and this comes through in so many ways and this is what I love so much about First Nations music. So much talent and still so much more to come."

Be part of amplifying our voices. Submissions are open now and close on Monday 22 March 2021. ENTER HERE.

3KND has made history by partnering with the Arts Centre Melbourne for Live at the Bowl. This is the first time Arts Centre Melbourne has entered into a media partnership agreement that goes beyond the transactional components and establishes 3KND as a strategic advisor and collaborator on cultural safety considerations for our First Nations artists, community and staff. The partnership builds on 3KND's NAIDOC 2020 Concert, Always Was, Always Will Be by identifying new ways the two organisations can work together to create opportunities for collaboration and promotion. Read more.

Hear how you can get involved and have your say in the Indigenous Voice design directly from National Co-design Group Co-chair Dr Donna Odegaard AM and Mr Richard Weston on March 4 at 2:00pm (AEDT). They will discuss the National Voice proposal and consultation processes. Register here.

Further consultation sessions are being held by Indigenous Voice co-design members across the country to gather feedback on the Indigenous Voice proposals. The feedback will help inform a final recommendation to the Australian Government. You can register for the following locations:

Campelltown NSW – 9 March, Campbelltown Catholic Club. Register.
Mt Druitt NSW – 9 & 10 March, Kimberwalli. Register.
Brisbane QLD – 9 & 10 March, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Register.
Mt Gambier SA – 10 March, The Presidential Motel. Register
Toowoomba QLD – 11 March, Toowoomba City Golf Club. Register.
Murray Bridge SA – 11 March, Murray Bridge Town Hall. Register.

Goanna Education is an Indigenous owned organisation with a mission to drive diversity in the tech space. They have recently been given some funding by the Digital Skills Organisation to run intensive Data Analytics and Cloud Bootcamps, starting on the 1st March for 18-21 weeks in 2021. It is for Indigenous candidates aged 18+ who want to get into a career in tech. The program is free. It is being funded by the Digital Skills Organisation. You can go directly to the Goanna website to enrol here or if you want to sign up to attend an info session click here.