First Nations Media News : Looking Ahead to 2020 : Job Opportunities : Funding, Funding, Funding : Jan 26

It’s been an extraordinary start to 2020 as Australia responded to the bushfire crisis. Many of our members have started the year strong, launching right into reporting on major climatic events in opposite parts of the country. In Victoria and New South Wales in particular, members were busy sharing news from fire affected communities while in the northern part of the country cyclones were threatening communities across the top end and WA north coast. It was a difficult start to the year for many and we’re proud of the work First Nations media organisations have been undertaking to ensure community safety. We hope that everyone is doing okay and we acknowledge the work that First Nations media organisations did in ensuring that stories, perspectives and contributions from our mob were covered during this time. It’s no so long ago that we would have been missing from these dialogues and it is a valuable reminder of the impact our media platforms have had on inclusive dialogues.

Now the industry is largely focused on outside broadcast events and truth-telling reporting in preparation for January 26 events taking place in many parts of the country. 2020 promises to be a big year for disrupting the narrative. The Endeavour will be circumnavigating the Australian coast to mark 250 years since Captain Cook's arrival. Our sector’s ability to share our stories and perspectives, our challenges, opportunities and successes will be critical to our respective communities and the country as a whole. National NAIDOC Week is themed #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe; recognising that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years gives our sector huge scope for conversation and I’m looking forward to hearing, seeing, reading and engaging with the voices that you curate as you amplify the power of this message. We’ll be holding our annual CONVERGE gathering in November and there are many other diverse and engaging events listed on the calendar on our website. We’ll be holding our first industry huddle for the year to talk about collaborating for the year ahead on Wednesday 5 February - we hope you can join us.

- Catherine Liddle, CEO

Are you our new Content Collations Officer? This position will assist us to meet demand, engage with new contributors, provide national representation, promote new content and increase our audience. We are looking for someone with outstanding social media skills and a passion for Our Media. The position is based in Adelaide or Alice Springs regions and you need to be up for travelling to events across the country. If you think this might be you, email jaja@indigitube.com.au for more info.

Every night this week, NITV is showcasing powerful documentaries and movie favourites on rich Indigenous stories in the lead up to January 26, including special network coverage from Sunset to Sunrise. NITV is programming a slate of programs on the theme 'Always Was, Always Will Be' that invites communities to join together, reflect and celebrate what it means to be Australian on January 26 but to also promote and encourage greater understanding of Indigenous Australian perspectives.

Koori Radio will be broadcasting from Yabun Festival in Sydney and sharing the day across the National Indigenous Radio Service for listeners outside the Sydney region. Yabun is one of the largest one day gathering and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia. Yabun presents a diverse and vibrant lineup of Indigenous music, dance, oration, sport and much more. Yabun is held annually on 26th of January upon the traditional lands of the Gadigal people in Sydney at Victoria Park. Tune in for this special broadcast on Sunday.

Coalition of Peaks representatives met with Cabinet Ministers this week to discuss a refreshed Closing the Gap framework. The Coalition of Peaks brough the voice of 4000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the Cabinet Room table for the Prime Minister to hear what is needed for Closing the Gap. The Prime Minister is listening and has committed to some initial projects including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led regional data projects to help inform decision making and the development of a nationally accredited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Worker program, based on the successful Aboriginal Health Worker program, including a pilot implementation. Read the communique here.