NATIONAL TALK BLACK – 20/06/2025
On todays National Talk Black via NIRS – National Indigenous Radio Service we have:
Michael Newman, The Lowitja Institute Deputy CEO, talking about Lowitja Institue’s International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference. Lowitja Institute, Australia’s only national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health research institute, hosted its 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference from 16–19 June 2025 on Kaurna Country, Adelaide, South Australia. Honouring their co-patron, Yankunytjatjara woman, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG, the conference prioritised First Nations voices in every element of its program, with a strong emphasis on showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led research, community controlled health innovations, and intergenerational knowledge exchange. More than 1,300 delegates engaged with renowned experts and leading voices in Indigenous health and wellbeing research from across Australia and internationally. The conference theme, ‘Strong, Fearless, Together’, is embedded throughout a program that includes presentations, workshops, panels, and poster presentations, spanning four thematic streams – Sovereignty and Self-Determination, Leadership and Workforce, Country and Climate, and Knowledges, Methodologies and Traditions. You can find out more via the link below!
https://www.lowitjaconference.org.au/
Jacob Birch, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation PhD candidate and advocate for native grains, talking about Reawakening ancient grains. Returning locally extinct native grains to Queensland’s grasslands is the goal of Gamilaraay man and University of Queensland PhD candidate Jacob Birch. Inspired by his Churchill Fellowship where he studied the achievements of Indigenous communities in North America, Mr Birch is gathering seed to sow at UQ’s Gatton campus later this year. A trial crop will be sown under the governance of Gamilaraay and Yagara peoples, once the seed has been sourced from Gamilaraay Country. Mr Birch said two mobs working together on the project was significant. He’s also hoping to follow in the footsteps of North American Indigenous communities he said were 30 years ahead of Australia. He said native grains had the potential to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians. You can find out more via the link below! (Photo Credit: Megan Pope)
https://qaafi.uq.edu.au/…/06/reawakening-ancient-grains
Talicia Minniecon, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2025 Ambassador Program Lead, talking about amplifying CIAF 2025 with culture, connection & power. When the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) kicks off its 16th anniversary season next month, audiences can look forward to a new and vibrant presence on the ground — content creator, storyteller, cultural powerhouse, and 2025 Ambassador Program lead, Talicia Minniecon. A proud First Nations and Pacifica woman, Minniecon will be front and centre across the four-day celebration of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture, held from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 July 2025 in the city’s vibrant cultural precinct and rainforest surrounds of Tanks Arts Centre. Armed with a microphone, a camera, and her trademark warmth, Talicia will conduct roving interviews throughout the Fair, capturing stories, spirit, and spontaneous moments to share across CIAF’s social platforms. Festivalgoers are encouraged to keep an eye out for Talicia and “have a yarn” when they see her — and to follow CIAF’s Facebook and Instagram pages for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, artist interviews, and insider insights throughout the event. In addition to her on-ground reporting, Talicia will also lead CIAF’s 2025 Ambassador Program, inviting young First Nations content creators to learn, connect and co-create with her throughout the Fair. EOIs for the Ambassador program are now open at the link below!
ciaf.com.au/ciaf-ambassadors-eoi-now-open
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