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.