Voices of Power podcast series speaks to First Nations influences and what a strong future should look like.
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), in partnership with the Churchill Trust, has launched its first-ever podcast series called Voices of Power.
The series, featuring Indigenous Churchill Fellows from around Australia, explores critical stages in the fight for First Nations rights and self-determination and for meaningful representation in places of power.
The partnership was formed to acknowledge and draw on the collective and individual wisdom and experiences of what is a strong cohort of Indigenous Churchill Fellows.
The series is narrated by legendary singer and songwriter Vic Simms (Bidjigal) and each episode is introduced by AIATSIS CEO and Churchill Fellow Craig Ritchie (ACT, 2006) (Dunghutti/Biripi).
Each episode explores key influences that have shaped Australia’s history and propose what a strong future for First Nations Australians should look like.
In the first three episodes, available now, Michelle Deshong, Cara Kirkwood, Parry Agius, Hannah McGlade and Donisha Duff address the topics of standing up for rights, creating new futures with First Nations and leadership models, and the role of treaties and truth-telling.
Churchill Fellows featured in first three episodes
Michelle Deshong (QLD, 2017) (Kuku Yalanji) was awarded the James Love Churchill Fellowship to research and apply best practice on Indigenous governance and leadership models.
Cara Kirkwood (ACT, 2020) (Mandandanji) completed a Churchill Fellowship on how Indigenous peoples, cultures and values are embedded throughout colonised parliaments.
Parry Agius (SA, 2004) (Ngarrandjeri/Narungga/Andynamathanaha/Ngaduri/Wirangu) completed his Churchill Fellowship report after visiting a range of Indigenous governments, parliaments and councils to explore and identify strategies for organising and empowering Indigenous people.
Hannah McGlade (WA, 2020) (Noongar) completed a Churchill Fellowship to investigate the establishment and foundation of the Sami parliaments, particularly the extent of their vested power, responsibility and representative structure.
Donisha Duff (QLD, 2015) (Thursday Island/Yadhaigana/Wuthathi) was awarded the Bob and June Prickett Churchill Fellowship to investigate chronic kidney disease programs for Aboriginal First Nations people.
Voices of Power is available via your favourite podcasting platform or from the AIATSIS website where you can also find transcripts, speaker bios and other resources.