First Nations Media News September 2020

Throughout September our team has been humming along, working alongside our members and stakeholders in a range of ways. Some of the highlights include:

Closing the Gap target

Following the announcement of the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap in July, First Nations Media Australia has been working with the Coalition of Peaks and the NIAA to finalise an 'access to information' target to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make informed decisions about their own lives. This will include accessing information through digital inclusion and culturally relevant media. The additional target is expected to be finalised by November.

NIAA Roundtables

The NIAA is currently running a Roundtable process to consider the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) investment in Indigenous broadcasting and media, in terms of key priorities and in light of broader changes in the media landscape, specifically in terms of how media content is delivered and consumed. This will include consideration of new technologies and platforms and the policy framework for sector investment. The Roundtables are convened by the NIAA, working with Hugh Watson Consulting. They will run across the next few weeks including discussion groups, one-on-one interviews and an online survey. All First Nations media organisations are encouraged to share their views. If you have any questions, speak with your local Regional Office or contact IAGTelecommunications@niaa.gov.au

Regional Connectivity Program

First Nations Media Australia has met with Easyweb, the NBN and Telstra in recent weeks to discuss potential submissions to the Regional Connectivity Program. Easyweb is currently talking with a number of FNMA members about potential collaborations for delivering internet services to remote and regional communities, drawing on members infrastructure and expertise to design community-controlled internet solutions.

Remote Monitoring System

We submitted grant application to the CBF on behalf of five members to roll out remote monitoring systems to 36 broadcast sites and we're happy to report the group submission was successful! Our Technical Coordinator, Ben Pridmore will start coordinating the rollout of infrastructure to reduce technical callouts, improve capacity for trouble-shooting and improve security at sites, which will reduce operational costs for the five media organisations in the years ahead. We're excited about getting this upgrade underway for our members operating remote sites.

Celebrating Aboriginal Women in the NT

Our CEO, Catherine Liddle is in Darwin today speaking at a forum that celebrating the strength, knowledge and resilience of Aboriginal women leaders in the Northern Territory. Catherine will be standing alongside some familiar faces to our sector, including Christine Ross and Donna Odegaard at this packed one-day event. While in Darwin, Catherine got a chance to see ICTV's Bedtime Stories make its debut on the big screen as part of the Darwin International Film Festival (photos below). Congratulations to all the storytellers and producers involved in this great project.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused some delays to the sector News Project, but we're happy to announce that we're underway! We have appointed Nancia Guivarra as Project Manager and we're interviewing for an Editorial Coordinator at the moment. Nancia is a Meriam (Magaram), Wuthathi and Bindal Jura woman. She has worked as a journalist with NITV, been the Head of Communications at the NCIE and spent 10 years at the ABC in radio, television and online as an editor, researcher, writer, director and presenter/producer of Radio National's AWAYE! program.
Nan was the inaugural General Manager

of Gadigal Information Services (home of Koori Radio) and the inaugural Chair of AICA. In recent years Nan has been running her own communications business and working with First Nations Media Australia on our Closing the Gap communications. Nan is starting in the role next week and is looking forward to working to get greater collaboration and news content sharing and supporting our members to expand their news reporting functions. Drop her a line to say hello on nancia@firstnationsmedia.org.au

We are pleased to welcome Bronte Gosper to our team as our new Project Support Officer. Bronte is a Wiradjuri woman based in Orange, NSW. She will be spending a couple of weeks in our office in Alice Springs before returning home to work remotely with our team across a broad range of projects. Bronte recently completed a honours degree in Indigenous history at the University of Melbourne and is continuing her studies overseas at Columbia University where she is due to begin a Masters of Oral History next year, working on a film project about Indigenous women voicing their stories. Bronte met the FNMA team while she was working as an intern for Minister Wyatt last year and we're excited to welcome her to the team for a few months. You can reach Bronte at bronte@firstnationsmedia.org.au

Last week MusicNT launched Bush Bands Bash: Greatest Hits showcasing the highlights of BBB 2008. As well as looking back over some of the program’s most memorable moments this month, MusicNT is also calling on all previous mentors, staff, bands, volunteers, and Bash attendees to share their favourite memories of Bush Bands by using the hashtag #BBBGreatestHits or tagging MusicNT and indigiTUBE in any Bush Bands related posts. So go on, get sharing! We can't wait to see/hear your favourite Bush Bands moments 🤩

We are beyond excited to finally release First Sounds Volume 3. The compilation features 12 artists, showcasing individual stories, and the collective strength of First Nations people all over the country from Blacktown, Brisbane, Melbourne to the Torres Strait Islands and Ntaria in the Central Desert. First Sounds Volume 3 is at radio now (hit up Amrap for your broadcaster copy) and available to listen to on indigiTUBE right now.
The callout for Volume 4 is open now for the final release this year.

Despite some significant disruptions to daily life over the past few months, the inDigiMOB partner organisations have been carrying on, doing what they can to improve digital skills in remote NT communities.

Greg, Digital Access Worker at Tangentyere, has continued to engage with Alice Springs town camps residents, running green screen activities, music recording using GarageBand, and an overnight photography bush trip.

Blim, based at Yuendumu with PAW Media, has been facilitating activities with participants on stop-motion animation story-telling, creating MyGov resources in Warlpiri language, and accessing archived content using the Keeping Culture software.

Our CatholicCareNT Digital Access Worker in Santa Teresa, Josh, has some local young people engaged with video editing clips of the footy matches.

Also, on Groote Eylandt, Michael (Anindilyakawa Land Council and Angurugu Radio) has been editing videos, photos and audio, working with local residents to collect podcast content, and gathering stories On Country with the Digital Mentors.

Plus take a look at the short video lessons Steve has made to show you how to use Garageband to record your own music here.

The successful trial of the Mukurtu archive platform is coming to an end this month. Following a review of the various platforms by Susan Locke in 2019, FNMA chose Mukurtu due to being a free open source system designed for First Nations community organisations to manage their collections according to local protocols.

This ILA funded project involved the establishment of the First Nations Media archiving hub and a 6-month trial with three organisations (PAKAM, PAW Media and Umeewarra Media) trained and supported to use the platform. Thanks to these organisations and staff for participating and uploading their archive collections, with more items being uploaded daily. FNMA is also developing a First Nations Media History archive – any contributions of sector history images, audio or video welcome!

FNMA is seeking additional funding to expand the rollout of Mukurtu within the sector beyond the trial project. To express interest in setting up an online archive, please contact project manager Daniel Featherstone.

The FNMA Archiving Resources Toolkit is also nearing completion. This interactive portal is set up for different users – Archive Managers, Archive Workers and Mukurtu Users - to access the relevant resources they need, either to view online as a step-by-step guides or download. The resources are set out in 6 key sections – Plan, Prepare, Catalogue, Digitise, Share and Build. Any feedback on the draft Toolkit and resources is welcome.

Last week PAKAM Board member Joe Albert and Manager Neil Turner travelled from the Kimberley down to Perth to collect a truck that is fully kitted out with recording equipment in a shipping container. One side of the container drops down to be used as a stage, which has accompanying musical instruments with lighting and mixing console allowing for live concerts broadcast on radio and ICTV with multi-camera abilities in the future. They also drove back a Desert Feet Tour Troopy and trailer with swags and camping gear, office equipment and CD/DVD duplicator to press your recordings on-site. Look out for PAKAM coming to a community near you!

The Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO), is looking for a Trainee Student Services and Communications Assistant to join their team. The CMTO strongly encourages applications from young people, Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, people from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disabilities. This full-time role is based in their CMTO office in Redfern and will be supporting community radio stations Australia-wide to undertake training. The successful candidate will undertake a Certificate IV in Screen and Media (CUA41215)* via face-to-face delivery with our CMTO Trainers. Applications for the CMTO Traineeship Program are now open, closing September 25th. Read more.