In the lead up to NAIDOC Week, NITV is exploring its 2019 theme: Voice, Treaty Truth — and it all begins on Reconciliation Week, focusing on "Voice".
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices have lead us to some remarkable historic successes:
In 1938, on Sydney's Elizabeth Street, Jack Patten spoke at the very first Day of Mourning protest: "We refuse to be pushed into the background. We have decided to make ourselves heard."
In 1967, Faith Bandler took to national television, campaigning for the Referendum: "...The eyes of the world are on Australia, they are waiting to see whether or not the white Australian will take with him, as one people, the dark Australian."
And in 1981, at James Cook University in Townsville, Eddie Koiki Mabo delivered a powerful speech at the land rights conference: "What we actually want is real help, not patronising colonial rule anymore."
Delivered with determination, the voices of First Nations people have made enormous change for human rights in this country.
It time to celebrate stepping up and speaking out.
After The Apology
Sunday, 8.30pm
Protesters march against the ever rising number of Indigenous children still being removed from their families, as seen in 'After the Apology'. Source: SBS
It’s been over a decade since the Government's Apology and Indigenous children are still being removed at an increasing rate.
Documentary, After the Apology reveals the experiences of families that have been impacted by these removals and sheds light on life after Kevin Rudd’s Apology, and how despite formally saying "sorry", it is happening again.
After the Apology follows the journey of GMAR (Grandmas Against Removal), an organisation comprised of Indigenous Grandmothers across the nation that have united in order to shine light on the gross removal of Indigenous children happening in contemporary Australia.
After The Apology exposes this awful reality but also suggests solutions that are focused around self-determination. Together, they are not only taking on the system, but they are also changing it.
Fair Game
Monday, 7.30pm
Fair Game tells the story of AFL star Heritier Lumumba taking on his boss, and Australia. Source: SBS On Demand
Heritier Lumumba was in the middle of his best season of AFL when his club president, Eddie McGuire, made a racist on-air comment, suggesting that Sydney Swans player Adam Goodes could be used to promote a King Kong musical.
As a man of colour and a strong supporter of equality, Lumumba spoke out against his high-profile boss. What followed was a media showdown with McGuire painting Lumumba as an overly PC, hyper-sensitive villain.
Through exclusive access to Lumumba, his friends and family, AFL legends Mick Malthouse, former Collingwood Captain Nick Maxwell and sports journalists, documentary Fair Game uncovers the personal and professional journey of a man who at the top of his game, dared to hold a mirror to a nation that didn't like what it saw.
Vote Yes for Aborigines
Wednesday, 7.30pm
Documentary, Vote Yes For Aborigines celebrating its historical significance and contemporary relevance of the 1967 Referendum. Source: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies/Audio Visual Archive
Vote Yes For Aborigines is a documentary about the 1967 Referendum and the fight for citizenship rights for Aborigines. It marks the 40th anniversary of the occasion, celebrating its historical significance and contemporary relevance.
Vote Yes For Aborigines revisits those involved with the 1967 referendum and the social attitudes and influences that led to the event, featuring former Prime Ministers, politicians, historians and campaigners.
More than just marking a time in history, Vote Yes For Aborigines interrogates the success of the Referendum and addresses current debates about what is meant by Australian citizenship and values and how they relate, if at all to Aboriginal history, identity, and culture.
The Point: Special Season — Our Voice, Treaty, Truth
Wednesday, 8.30pm
The Point with hosts Rachael Hocking and John Paul Janke. Wednesdays, 8.30pm on NITV. Source: NITV
In a special season of NITV’s flagship current affairs program, The Point will explore the 2019 NAIDOC Week theme: Voice, Treaty, Truth.
Starting with “Voice”, the kick-off episode will mark National Reconciliation Week by investigating the state of Indigenous affairs pending the question, 'will Australia ever achieve reconciliation?'.
Co-hosted by John Paul Janke and Rachael Hocking, this week, the program explores the way Indigenous voices are heard through politics, sport and the arts. Reporter Douglas Smith examines some of the iconic stands Indigenous sportsmen and women have made, and correspondent Ella Archibald-Binge investigates the perception that Indigenous Australians have either a radical or delegitimised voice.
Catch up is available on SBS on Demand after broadcast
Drunktown's Finest
Thursday, 9pm
Three young Navajo on their own paths until their stories begin to intersect. Drunktown's Finest is an Indigenous coming-of-age film. Source: Supplied/VICE
A coming of age story of three young Navajo Native Americans; an adopted Christian girl, a rebellious father-to-be and a trans woman who dreams of being a model, strive to escape the hardships of life on an Indian reservation. As each character's confronting journey unfolds, they have difficulty remaining silent when encouraged to stay in society's status quo.
Drunktown's Finest had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2014. Directed by Emmy-nominated film and television director, Sydney Freeland.
Frog Dreaming
Friday, 7.30pm
An atmospheric 80s adventure tale about a young boy trying to uncover the Aboriginal myth, 'Donkegin'. Source: SBS Movies
Orphaned 14-year-old, Cody (Henry Thomas, E.T) is adventurously spirited and imaginative. Living with his guardian Gaza (Tony Barry, Mystery Road) in an outback Australian township, Cody learns of an ancient Aboriginal myth known as ‘Donkegin’, sparking an interest that will not let him rest.
Convinced there is an underwater monster in a nearby dam, Cody and his close friend Wendy (Rachel Friend, Golden Fiddles) embark on a journey that will take them into the very shadow-land of mystery and intrigue.
An atmospheric 80s adventure tale, inspired by the likes of The Goonies and E.T, written by Everett DeRoche (Patrick, Road Games), and directed by Brian TrenchardSmith (BMX Bandits, Dead End Drive-In), Family Movie Frog Dreaming captures the spirit of childhood determination and the power of Indigenous storytelling.
Beneath Clouds
Saturday, 8.30pm
Source: SBS Movies
Lena (Dannielle Hall) has an absent Irish father she longs to see and an Aboriginal mother who she does not get along with.
She runs away from her isolated town and along the way, meets with petty crim Vaughn (Damien Pitt), who’s just escaped from low-security prison to reluctantly visit his dying mother. As a dark-skinned Aboriginal man, he is angry at the white world he exists in and lashes out when provoked. An uneasy relationship begins between these hardened souls to form as they hit the road to Sydney.
Winner of the AFI & IF Award for Best Director and Best Cinematography. By award-winning director, Ivan Sen.
National Reconciliation Week, 27 May - 3 June, is a time to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. This years' official theme is , Walk Together in Courage.
