Blak Matters

Blak Matters

LiSTNR

An inclusive, authentic exploration of First Nations issues and why they matter. Delivered as an honest but positive conversation between friends, MC & Teela Reid, in under 20 minutes.

Need a summer reading list? Blackfulla Bookclub has you covered

Need a summer reading list? Blackfulla Bookclub has you covered

Whether you're planning some down time by the beach or pool over the holidays, or are just on the hunt for the perfect summer read, Blackfulla Bookclub and Blak Matters has you covered. Created by Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman Teela Reid and Gumbaynggirr and Barkindji woman Merinda Dutton in the midst of pandemic lockdowns, Blackfulla Bookclub started as a place to meet on Zoom and share what First Nation's stories the pair were reading outside of work. Since, it's become a place of discussion and

Dec 13, 2023 • 27:58

The trials and tribulations of travel as a First Nations Australian

The trials and tribulations of travel as a First Nations Australian

"I didn't know they had Black people down there."  Travelling as an Australian can often be filled with curious questions from foreigners - but what happens when you add being a First Nations Australian to the mix?   On this episode of Blak Matters, Teela Reid and Michael 'MC' Christian unpack Teela's recent and past experience's travelling overseas, the concept of being an unofficial "ambassador for Australia" when you didn't choose or be want to be one, and how national pride falls into the mi

Dec 6, 2023 • 19:32

Cultural burning: is there a better way of controlling fire this bushfire season?

Cultural burning: is there a better way of controlling fire this bushfire season?

As we head into a dry El Nino summer, we also head into one with an increased risk of bushfires and the devastating effects that can be left in their wake. But is there a better way, and better methods of controlled burning that can lower this risk?  For millennia, the First Nations people of this country utilised fire for cultural burning, alongside other land management strategies, to cultivate and ensure our land remained healthy and in balance.  Today on Blak Matters, Michael 'MC' Christian

Nov 29, 2023 • 18:19

Is supporting Palestine a First Nations issue?

Is supporting Palestine a First Nations issue?

The extreme conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas has dominated media coverage across both the world and here in Australia, leading to intense public debate, protests and boycotts.   If you've tuned into, or attended, rallies seen across the country, you may have seen Aboriginal flags being raised alongside First Nations advocates chanting the phrase 'free Palestine'. But how do First Nations issues, and the support of Palestinian people, align?  On this episode of Blak Matters, M

Nov 22, 2023 • 16:59

Is this really the death of reconciliation?

Is this really the death of reconciliation?

After the deafening 'No' vote against the referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament last month, many Aboriginal people are claiming this moment has signalled the end - and the death - of meaningful reconciliation in our country. In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela Reid and Michael 'MC' Christian unpack whether reconciliation is dead, and speak about where our focus should be for unity in our country moving forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 15, 2023 • 18:11

Let's get the facts straight, truth-telling matters

Let's get the facts straight, truth-telling matters

Truth-telling seems to constantly be on the lips of politicians, activists and the media, being seen as one of the essential core pillars when it comes to how Australia can produce better outcomes for First Nations peoples.  But what is often missed is the definition of what truth-telling actually is, what it is referring to, and who benefits by increasing our capacity to tell the truth of our country. In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela and MC unpack the term and explain why our country shou

Nov 8, 2023 • 20:57

From boy to man: In My Blood It Runs

From boy to man: In My Blood It Runs

Released in 2019, In My Blood It Runs is a powerful documentary that chronicles a year in the life of ten-year-old Dujuan Hoosan as he grows up around Alice Springs. His is a Ngangkere - a healer in his community - but also find himself caught between his heritage and his place in Western culture. Now a young adult at seventeen, Dujuan joins Blak Matters to reflect on his experience almost five years after the documentary's release, and explore the thinking behind the release of his new illustra

Nov 1, 2023 • 22:07

After the vote on the Voice, where are we now?

After the vote on the Voice, where are we now?

It has now been almost two weeks since the referendum and the proposed Indigenous Voice to parliament was rejected. So where is our country now? While all states and territories – excluding the ACT – voted against the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, over 5.4 million Australians voted in support. So what does the outcome mean for those Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians? In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela and MC reflect on what happened, where our country is now, and what this

Oct 25, 2023 • 26:59

As we head to the polls, Stan Grant says it's about time (Part Two)

As we head to the polls, Stan Grant says it's about time (Part Two)

This Saturday, October 14th, Australians will finally cast their vote on whether to amend the Constitution to include an advisory body for First Nations Peoples - an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Across the year, the debate over the Voice has brought to the surface the complexity of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. Someone caught early in the crossfire was prominent Australian journalist and First Nations Wiradjuri man Stan Grant, who left ABC’s current affairs

Oct 11, 2023 • 17:53

As we head to the polls, Stan Grant says it's about time (Part One)

As we head to the polls, Stan Grant says it's about time (Part One)

This Saturday, October 14th, Australians will finally cast their vote on whether to amend the Constitution to include an advisory body for First Nations Peoples - an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Across the year, the debate over the Voice has brought to the surface the complexity of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. Someone caught early in the crossfire was prominent Australian journalist and First Nations Wiradjuri man Stan Grant, who left ABC’s current affairs

Oct 10, 2023 • 19:11

What conversation is the country currently having about the Voice?

What conversation is the country currently having about the Voice?

There are less than two weeks to go until people across the country cast their vote on the referendum for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians, and the creation of a proposed advisory body made up of First Nations people who would be able to advise the government on policies that affect them.  With over 900,000 Australians already making the choice to cast their vote early, there are conversations underway among friends, family and community on how people should vote on the Voice

Oct 4, 2023 • 22:31

Allyship vs Tokenism: Here's how to get being an ally right

Allyship vs Tokenism: Here's how to get being an ally right

If you'd like to be one, what does a good ally actually look like? Is slapping a temporary tile up on social media every January 26th enough? Or should non-Indigenous people be wearing First Nations branded clothing, or using Aboriginal slang like 'deadly' or 'gammin'? Is buying First Nations art okay? What about playing a didgeridoo?  In this episode, Teela Reid and Michael 'MC' Christian discuss what being an ally is, what it isn't, and how to ensure that if you're aiming to be an ally, you're

Sep 27, 2023 • 19:34

Yes23 campaign co-chair Rachel Perkins tells us why we need the Voice

Yes23 campaign co-chair Rachel Perkins tells us why we need the Voice

Rachel Perkins is a director, producer, screenwriter, presenter, and activist. Her over 30 years of work has garnered much acclaim, with projects focusing on Australian Aboriginal stories including Jasper Jones and Mystery Road. Her latest work, The Australian Wars, explores the many frontier wars and genocide that occurred across the country from the First Fleet landing in 1788 through to the 1920s, and recently took out the 2023 Logie for Most Outstanding Factual or Documentary Program. Curren

Sep 20, 2023 • 24:35

Meet Kyah Simon, proud First Nations Matilda and World Cup goal scorer

Meet Kyah Simon, proud First Nations Matilda and World Cup goal scorer

As the whole country collective backed our bid for the FIFA World Cup trophy last month, new and old fans alike marvelled at the individual histories and efforts of players coming together to make the Matildas.  One of those players is proud Anaiwan and Biripi woman, Kyah Simon.  The first Indigenous Australian player to score a goal in any FIFA Women’s World Cup, she also converted a winning goal in 2010 to help claim the Asian Cup for Australia. Not to mention starring in the 2015 World Cup, 2

Sep 13, 2023 • 20:59

Treaty vs Voice: How does New Zealand compare to Australia?

Treaty vs Voice: How does New Zealand compare to Australia?

As Australia nears our referendum to vote on including an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in our Constitution, how does it compare to how our major neighbour New Zealand represents First Nations Peoples? The Treaty of Waitangi - an agreement between the British Crown and Maori Chiefs - was signed in 1840. Has it had positive consequences for the Maori people? Or are there still difficulties interpreting a document written and agreed upon so long ago?   This week on Blak Matters, Teela Reid and Mi

Sep 6, 2023 • 21:28

We have a date to vote on the Voice - what can we expect next?

We have a date to vote on the Voice - what can we expect next?

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, has officially announced that the country will go to the polls on Saturday, October 14th to vote on both the constitutional recognition of First Nations Australians and the creation of a Voice to Parliament.  Now that we know the date we'll be voting, what can we expect for the next six weeks of the Yes and No campaigns, and what do you need to know before you vote?  This week on Blak Matters Teela Reid is joined by John Paul Janke, co-host of N

Aug 30, 2023 • 23:37

The link between Indigenous Australia and soccer you didn't know about

The link between Indigenous Australia and soccer you didn't know about

Did you catch Matildas madness when the national team made it into the top four for the FIFA Women's World Cup? From Tillies team members Kyah Simon and Karen Menzies, to history-making athletes like Cathy Freeman, Ash Barty, Nicky Winmar and Patty Mills, First Nations athletes have been at the forefront of Australia's sporting successes. But did you know that a version of the round ball game was played by Indigenous Australians in 1857? This week on Blak Matters, Teela Reid and Michael 'MC' Chr

Aug 23, 2023 • 25:31

How should we be teaching 'Australian history' in schools?

How should we be teaching 'Australian history' in schools?

What were you taught about First Nations' history at school? Changes are being proposed in NSW to include teaching Indigenous Australians' experience of European settlement for high school students across the state. This week Teela Reid and Michael 'MC' Christian reflect on what they were taught in school, and how language like 'terra nullius' or stating when Australia was 'discovered' impacts our perception of First Nations peoples both in the present and into the future.See omnystudio.com/list

Aug 16, 2023 • 22:20

Lawyer Eddie Synot breaks down major misinformation about the Voice

Lawyer Eddie Synot breaks down major misinformation about the Voice

Will a Voice to Parliament consult on parking tickets? Does the referendum seek to put race in the constitution? Will a 'Yes' vote lead to a slow down in democratic process?  This week Teela Reid and Michael 'MC' Christian are again joined by lawyer, researcher, and Griffith Law School lecturer Eddie Synot to tackle some key questions surfacing about the Voice. Listen to Part 1 of the Blak Matters misinformation and disinformation special focus here https://tr.ee/GvuD_vp1K7 See omnystudio.com/li

Aug 9, 2023 • 26:21

Are you being misinformed about First Nations issues?

Are you being misinformed about First Nations issues?

As the referendum on a Voice to Parliament approaches, conflicting information surrounding its function and impact on First Nations peoples is increasing - so how can you tell what's truthful and what's not?  In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela Reid and Michael 'MC' Christian sit down with lawyer, researcher, and Griffith Law School lecturer Eddie Synot to find out the distinction between misinformation and disinformation, and what you can do to make sure you're getting the facts you need.See

Aug 2, 2023 • 22:07

Jessica Skinner: From bush footy to the Jillaroos

Jessica Skinner: From bush footy to the Jillaroos

Jessica Skinner is a teacher from a rural community in NSW, who went from coaching at the grassroots level to becoming the Jillaroos' Assistant Coach for the Women's Rugby League World Cup. Now as the Pathways Strategy Manager for the NRL, Jess is working hard to provide better representation for First Nations People in the sport, and increasing opportunities - especially for those in regional and rural Australia. In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela and MC sit down with Jess to hear about her

Jul 26, 2023 • 22:58

Do you need a pamphlet from the official 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns?

Do you need a pamphlet from the official 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns?

This week, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) published pamphlets from the official 'Yes' and 'No' camps. Independently written by each campaign without any oversight, editing or fact-checking from the AEC, doubts have been raised. Could they spread and encourage misinformation? Is this worth the cost of printing and delivering the 12 million paper copies? And how much value will they actually provide to the Australian people? In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela & MC speak with a s

Jul 19, 2023 • 20:02

Cultural load: The extra work asked of First Nation employees

Cultural load: The extra work asked of First Nation employees

After another NAIDOC Week, comes the opportunity to reflect on what workplaces often ask of First Nations employees. Cultural load is the often invisible extra work placed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to provide cultural knowledge, education and support. For example, being asked to do a Welcome to Country, a presentation about their culture, or offer advice from a First Nations perspective... All without the reduction of their usual workload, or being offered additional sup

Jul 12, 2023 • 16:53

NAIDOC Week 2023 is 'For Our Elders': Nan Millie Ingram's story

NAIDOC Week 2023 is 'For Our Elders': Nan Millie Ingram's story

NAIDOC Week is an annual opportunity for all Australians to celebrate First Nations Peoples - so what does the 2023 theme 'For Our Elders' mean to those who have spent a lifetime advocating for Aboriginal rights across the country? Nan Millie Ingram is a Wiradjuri matriarch who was forced onto the Erambie Mission as a child. In this episode of Blak Matters she shares the changes she has seen throughout her lifetime, and where she would like to see our country go into the future.See omnystudio.co

Jul 5, 2023 • 19:14

Why activist Mililma May changed her vote on the Voice

Why activist Mililma May changed her vote on the Voice

“I was fearful that a 'Yes' vote would impact on my sovereignty.” Campaigning for the referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament has focused heavily on how it will impact First Nations people now and into the future. How has that debate shaped legal educator, writer and Kulumbirigin Tiwi woman Mililma May’s vote? On this episode of Blak Matters, the CEO and Co-Founder of Uprising of the People, which helps to support youth in the Northern Territory and to fight back against youth incarce

Jun 28, 2023 • 22:38

The Voice bill has passed the Senate - so what happens next?

The Voice bill has passed the Senate - so what happens next?

Australia has been talking about a referendum on a First Nations Voice to parliament for the entire year - so what does the bill that just passed in the Senate mean for when we’ll be asked to cast our vote?  This week on Blak Matters, we explain what is now kicked into motion for the 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns with this key legal step, as well as what you can expect from the pamphlets set to appear in your letterbox soon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 21, 2023 • 20:10

The highs and lows of Kings Birthday Honours with Narelda Jacobs

The highs and lows of Kings Birthday Honours with Narelda Jacobs

Is it the media's job to teach you about the upcoming referendum for a Voice to parliament, or is it your own responsibility to fill the gaps in your knowledge? This week on Blak Matters, Whadjuk Noongar journalist Narelda Jacobs OAM joins Teela Reid and MC to explore the media's role in informing the public about the Voice, and what it means to her to be awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to the media and to community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Jun 14, 2023 • 24:58

Why it's time for reckoning instead of reconciliation

Why it's time for reckoning instead of reconciliation

Reconciliation Week calls on all Australians to reflect on First Nations' history and how we can improve for the future. Yet as another Reconciliation Week comes to a close, the question begs, where do tea and scones get us on the pathway to recognising the impact of colonisation on First Nations Peoples? This week on Blak Matters, Teela and MC tackle whether 'reconciliation' is the word that we should be using, or if 'reckoning' - both as a country and as individuals, could be more effective. S

Jun 7, 2023 • 18:04

Has Stan Grant reminded Australia that it's racist?

Has Stan Grant reminded Australia that it's racist?

The last two weeks have seen torrents of media commentary following journalist Stan Grant's decision to step down as host of ABC's Q+A, due to racist remarks and online threats to him and his family. In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela and MC talk about the treatment of First Nations people who live in the public eye, and the racism they are exposed to. How has this space changed over time - is Australia getting better or worse, and how has social media exacerbated the situation?See omnystudi

May 31, 2023 • 18:20

Treaties, parliaments, Voice: how do we compare to the rest of the world?

Treaties, parliaments, Voice: how do we compare to the rest of the world?

How does the rest of the world compare to Australia in its treatment of Indigenous Peoples, and how did treaties and other agreements shape those relationships going forward?   In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela and MC discuss what other countries have done to give power to their Indigenous Peoples, and how a Voice to parliament is a step towards improving the situation for First Nations in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 24, 2023 • 16:11

Why should I Acknowledge Country?

Why should I Acknowledge Country?

From your morning meeting to your shopping receipt, suddenly it seems everyone is acknowledging Country. In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela and MC break down the history of Acknowledgment of Country, its meaning, and how to do one with respect and purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 17, 2023 • 15:50

Who we are, and why Blak Matters

Who we are, and why Blak Matters

What is the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and how has it led us to a referendum on the Voice? In this first episode of Blak Matters, hosts Teela Reid and MC explore what the Uluru Statement from the Heart really means, and their shared history of growing up in a town of 3,000 people in regional Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 10, 2023 • 15:12

The Voice and political compromises

The Voice and political compromises

What do you need to win a referendum? In this episode of Blak Matters, Teela and MC break down the wording of the question that will be put to voters at the end of the year, and the political compromises already taking place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 10, 2023 • 19:53

Blak Matters - Trailer

Blak Matters - Trailer

Blak Matters is a weekly podcast exploring all First Nations matters, and why they matter. Hosted with Michael "MC" Christian from the Hit Network and his long-time friend, Teela Reid - Wiradjuri/Weilwan woman, renowned land rights litigation lawyer and advocate for First Nations Peoples. With the upcoming referendum on the Indigenous Voice to parliament, we are a friendly space for all Australians to become more informed on what has led us to this point, what the Voice means, and what it could

May 8, 2023 • 3:29

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