The Mission

Although the podcast format of The Mission has now wrapped, this show continues to be broadcast on Triple R. You can now listen to new episodes on Triple R’s FM On Demand service at rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission.Thanks for listening!

On this episode we are joined by Stacie Piper who is the organizer of the State Library exhibition “Treaty”, which shines a light on truth telling and treaty. Then we are joined by Kankawa Nagarra who recently won the 2024 Australian Music prize & xmas show for their debut album ‘Wirlmani’.

Daniel is joined by Wurundjeri Elder Jacqui Wandin, who sheds light on the historical significance of Coranderrk Station. She highlights the leadership of Uncle William Barak and Uncle Simon Wonga in fostering the Aboriginal community of Coranderrk . Together, they reflect on Coranderrk’s legacy as a sanctuary, its cultural importance, its lasting impact on Kulin Nation heritage and resilience amid colonisation.

On this week’s episode of The Mission, Daniel sits down with Jill Gallagher, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO). They explore the VACCHO’s innovative yet historic health model, recently announced at the Victorian Parliament. Jill shares insights into the model’s origins and highlights its effectiveness, particularly through the challenges of the pandemic.

Daniel James yarns with members of The Deans, a local soul band, then speaks to the Racial Profiling Data Monitoring Project's Professor Tamar Hopkins about ongoing racial profiling by Victoria Police.

A year on since the failed Voice to Parliament Referendum, Daniel James yarns with historian Clare Wright on the history of First Nations involvement in democracy and her new book Näku Dhäruk The Bark Petitions: How the People of Yirrkala Changed the Course of Australian Democracy.

Live from the RRR performance space discussing When Cops are Criminals, a new book (out now with Scrie) about the criminal behaviour of police officers, and a call for institutional reform. Host Daniel James is joined by the anthology's editor Aunty Veronica Gorrie, as well as police historian Amander Porter, and police misconduct lawyer Jeremy King, who both contributed to the book.

On this episode of The Mission, host Daniel James revists his interview with Veronica Gorrie from 2021, in the lead-up to RRR in Conversation with Veronica Gorrie, Amanda Porter, and Jeremy King.

Daniel yarns with Bebe Oliver, the newly appointed Artistic Director of Blak & Bright, about First Nations art and literature.

Daniel yarns with Amy McQuire on her new book Black Witness: The Power of Indigenous Media and the role of objectivity in Australian journalism.

Less than 1% of building permits are delayed by Cultural Heritage Management Plans, so why are the Victorian Liberal Party so keen to dismantle them?Host Daniel speaks to the CEO of Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations Paul Paton, about why Cultural Heritage is not the threat to developers it's made out to be.

For the special 250th episode of The Mission, Daniel James speaks with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss on her work overseeing the Federal Government's compliance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Daniel James speaks to Jidah Clark, chair of the newly established Treaty Authority, an independant body to oversee treaty negotiations in Victoria.

Beyond the Bars is an institution on Melbourne radio. Shiralee Hood and Ty Wallace join host of The Mission Daniel James to talk about the 3CR program's history and what to expect from this year's series as once again presenters go into Victoria's prisons to broadcast live with Indigenous inmates. You can listen & learn more about Beyond The Bars here.

Daniel James speaks with Traditional Owner & Deputy Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Travis Lovett, regarding land, water, sky hearings and injustice.

Kiwat Kennell fills in for Daniel James this week and chats to Siman Saban, the Director of Luku Ngarra: The Law of the Land, a documentary filmed over 5 years in Northeat Anhem Land following Yolnu man Rev, Dr Dijiniyini Gondarra.

Content Warning: our interview this week centres on issues of domestic violence against Indigenous women in Australia. If this topic impacts you, or you require any assistance, you can call 1800 RESPECT to speak to a domestic violence counsellor.For men who are worried that they may be violent toward their partners or family, and would like to seek help and support, you can call 1300 766 491 to reach the Men's Referral Service for counsellling, information, and behaviour change program details. There is also 13YARN, a national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. 13YARN offers a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifelife-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Daniel James speaks with Dr Chelsea Watego, proud Munanjahli and South Sea Islander woman and Director of the Institute of Collaborative Race Research, ahead of her appearance at the Melbourne Writer's Festival's panel 'Who Gets to Be Human?' The conversation focuses on the crisis of domestic violence faced by Indigenous women, and the need for better infrastructure nationwide to address the crisis.

Daniel yarns with Yuin man Dr Jack Pascoe, a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne focusing on environmental laws and consultation with First Peoples. Also via phone, Drew Paten, Marram Nganyin Program Coordinator for the Koori Youth Council.

Host, Daniel James is joined by Celeste Liddle regarding police about permit powers. Daniel is later joined by Michael Bell, Indigenous Liason Officer, and also discusses heavy subject matters related to the aboriginal community and children.Note: this episode contains matters relating to self harm. Music has been removed due to copyright.

Host, Daniel James is joined by Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Jill Gallagher on Why First Nations People Should Be Exempt from Land Tax and Stamp Duty. Daniel also chats to Laura Rademaker from the Australian Research Council on their article published by The Conversation "too many Aboriginal babies" delving into Australians secret history of population control in the 1960's.

The Mission host, Daniel James is joined by Yoorok JUstice Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter as they discuss the Victorian Government's Response to the Yoorook for Justice Report.

Daniel James is joined by Rachael Maza, Artistic Director of the Ilbijerri Theatre, talks about their upcoming Healing Stories Symposium being held in partnership with the University of Melbourne.Daniel also speaks with April Lawrie, South Australian Commissioner for Children & Young People, about child removal practices in South Australia by the Department of Child Protection.

Daniel James is joined by Kristie Watego, Birthing in Our Community (BiOC) Service Development Manager, about how BiOC supports families thrpugh pregnancy and the early years of childhood, data showing that women who receive maternity support through BiOC are three times less likely to have children removed from them, and the importance of community-led support systems.

Yorta Yorta man and member of the Stolen Generation Ian Hamm joins host Daniel James to discuss the need for meaningful redress schemes that benefit members of the Stolen Generation (as outlined in his recent piece published in The Guardian).Ian argues for a nation-wide uniform approach as Victoria has what many people consider the best scheme in Australia while states such as WA and Queensland lack any sort of scheme.

Co-chair of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray joins host of the mission Daniel James to talk about Treaty. Despite the lack of bipartisan support after the state opposition's backflip from supporting treaty, Ngarra explains the busy year ahead for the Assembly which will likely see treaties negotiated this year.

Host Daniel James is joined by Jill Gallagher, Gunditjmara and CEO of The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. She discusses the Liberal and National’s backflip for support of Victoria’s treaty process and what has happened in the year since the Coronial Inquest into the death in custody of Yorta Yorta woman Veronica Nelson.

Guest host Leah Avene is joined by writer and poet Laniyuk, who speaks about the long-lasting impacts of colonisation and the loss of Indigenous land. Together they focus on the challenges and responsibilities of how individuals can work towards achieving justice for First Nations communities.

Daniel James is joined by Yorta Yorta man Ian Hamm, who reflects on the failure of the Voice to Parliament referendum and what was a tumultuous year for First Nations communities.

A proud Cobble Cobble woman of the Barunggam Nation, Professor Megan Davis is an accomplished constitutional lawyer and human rights activist. She featured prominently as an advocate for The Voice to Parliament in this year's Voice referendum debate. She joins host of The Mission Daniel James to debrief in the aftermath of the October 14 referendum, sharing her view of the media's controversial coverage of the debate, and the sentiments within First Nations communities in the months since.

Author and activist, Thomas Mayo, was one of the most prominent advocates for the Voice to Parliament at the October 14 referendum. He speaks with host of The Mission, Daniel James, on the result, the aftermath, and what's next for the movement that harnessed six million votes.

Professor Gary Foley joins Daniel James, host of The Mission, to talk about his life in activism and the origins of Blak/Palestinian solidarity, as well as America's influence on Australia.

Daniel chats with multi-talented, Yorta Yorta man and self-proclaimed 'Senator' Adam Briggs and the Co-Chair of the First Nations Assembly of Victoria, Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg. They tackle ongoing concerns and public opinion surronding the up-coming referendum on the Voice To Parliament, Dan Andrews sudden resignation as Victorian Premier and the Now & Forever Concert taking place in Shepparton on the 6th of October featuring Baker Boy, Hilltop Hoods & more.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the names of people who have passed away.Daniel James analyses the current state of The Voice Referendum with Ian Hamm. Ian is a Yorta Yorta man from the Stolen Generation, he has extensive government and community sector experience and is a board member of the Healing Foundation. They discuss the implications of Jacinta Price’s claims that colonisation has had a ‘positive impact’ on First Nations Australians, the work of The Healing Foundation and go into the story of Ian’s own life.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the names of people who have passed away.Lawyer Dr Tamar Hopkins and VALS CEO Nerita Waight join Daniel James on The Mission. Daniel and Tamar discuss how communities were targeted by police during the 2020 lockdowns and the conflicting statements presented by Victoria Police in response. Daniel and Nerita discuss reforms to state bail laws, including Poccum’s Law being pushed by the family of Veronica Nelson. Daniel also touches upon the misinformation distributed by the No campaign for the Voice.

Wurundjeri woman and Yoorrook Justice Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter joins Daniel James of The Mission. The pair discuss the Commission's Report into the Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems and the urgent need for reform in both areas. They also discuss the Voice referendum dates and the current state of the polls.

Daniel James and Jacinta Parsons reunite for Radiothon 2023. They discuss all things Triple R, Radiothon, read out new subscriber names and talk about what it means to support The Mission through subscribing.

Daniel James speaks to Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray, newly elected Co-Chairs of First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, about the Treaty and the Voice to Parliament.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the names of people who have passed away.Daniel James pays tribute to Veronica Nelson and reflects on the latest bail law reforms.He also speaks to GetUp's CEO Larissa Baldwin-Roberts about the referendum & esteemed writer Melissa Lucashenko about Aboriginal identity.

Daniel James opens the show with a tribute to Yunupingu, Yolŋu leader and campaigner for Indigenous rights. He's then joined by Jamie Lowe, a Gunditjmara Djabwurrung man, and the CEO of the National Native Title Council. He joins the show to discuss the recent success of the Eastern Maar people in their Native Title claim, and the plans to develop and support culture on the land. With presenter Daniel James.Program Page: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Chair of the Queensland Law Society Children’s Law Committee, Damian Bartholomew, talks about concerns regarding the Queensland government's tough on crime laws and how they could impact the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in that state; Gunditjimara man and Health Ambassador for the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS), Alan Brown, then joins the show to discuss the 50th anniversary of VAHS, from its humble beginnings in Gertrude Street, to the multi-dimensional service it is today. With presenter Daniel James.Program Page: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Aunty Muriel Bamblett AO, a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, CEO of Victoria Aboriginal Child Care Agency and representative of Closing the Gap, discusses the Australian Government releasing its second Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, alongside the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks) annual Implementation Plan. And Worimi man Professor John Maynard explains the long history of the fight for Indigenous representation in Australia's Parliament. With presenter Daniel James.Program Page: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, proud Bangerang/Wiradjuri warrior woman and Co-Chair of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, explains the complex Treaty process in Victoria. Daniel is also joined by proud Kirrae Whurrong, Gundijitmarra, Gunai Kurnai woman Tanya McDonald, Lecturer in Children's Health and Community, Charles Darwin University, to discuss crime in Alice Springs. With presenter Daniel James.  Program Page:  https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the names of people who have died. Nerita Waight, CEO Of Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), talks with Daniel about the Coronial findings into the death of Yorta Yorta woman Veronica Nelson at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. With presenter Daniel James.

Yorta-Yorta man and Chairperson of the First Nations Foundation, Ian Hamm, drops by the studio to talk about the year in review and the challenges 2023 may hold in raising awareness around Indigenous social justice and bringing forth change. He also discusses an update on Treaty and the Uluru Statement heading into the new year. With presenter Daniel James.Program Page: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, joins Daniel to talk about her recent statement delivered to the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Their chat covers why government support for the field is urgent, and the emerging links to the previous Stolen Generation in many young Indigenous children being seized from their families. With presenter Daniel James.Program Page: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the names of people who have died. Former Chairperson of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee Glenda Chalker talks to Daniel about her role in promoting awareness around the 1816 Appin massacre and why formally recognising that fatal day matters. Then, Megan Krakouer, Project Director of the National Suicide Prevention & Trauma Recovery Project, joins Daniel to discuss the shocking suicide rates of Indigenous Australians compared to non-Indigenous Australians and why they are continuing to climb. With presenter Daniel James.Program Page: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Playwright and Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai woman Andrea James discusses her new project ‘Sunshine Supergirl’ at the MTC, and the process in getting it to the theatre stage. Then, speaker, MC and proud Tati Tati, Wadi Wadi, Muti Muti and Wamba Wamba man Troy Benjamin talks with Daniel about this year’s ‘We’re Black Again’ night and the unique importance of Indigenous comedy and entertainment. With presenter Daniel James.Program Page: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Bunurong-based artist and head of Kaptify Art, Adam Magennis discusses his early influences, his unique creative process, and the Queen Victoria Market’s recent decision to remove and ban “inauthentic” Indigenous Art from their stalls. And Madison Connors, a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gamilaroi artist, explains how identity and culture shapes art and the ways in which artists can raise awareness surrounding key Indigenous issues through their work. Check out Adam’s work on his Instagram @kaptify_art and Madison’s work via yarlicreative.com.au. With guest presenter Maddi Miller, filling in for Daniel James.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the names of people who have died. In this episode, Daniel reflects on the State funeral service held for Indigenous actor, Elder and activist Uncle Jack Charles. Daniel is also joined by Torres-Strait Islander author Thomas Mayor to discuss his book "Finding the Heart of the Nation” and the Uluru Statement, a call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice in the Constitution. With presenter Daniel James.

Newly-elected WA Senator and Yamatji-Noongar woman Dorinda Cox discusses what her experience of parliament has been like thus far and how we can put a stop to the alarming rates of violence against First Nations women in Australia. And Sarah Schwartz, Principal Lawyer of Police & Prison Accountability at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, examines the lack of police accountability in Victoria and the current failing system of handling police complaints. With presenter Daniel James.