Listeners to Canberra’s Mix106.3 or Hit104.7 recently may have heard the term “Yuma” being used in the news.
“Yuma” is the Ngunnawal word for “Hello” and the Ngunnawal people are the tradition custodians of the lands known today as the Canberra region.
A group of dedicated elders and linguists are now working together to rebuild and revive the local language and members of that group, the Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Aboriginal Corporation, recently held a workshop for Canberra FM staff, teaching staff about the rich history of the Ngunnawal people, their country and their language.
Canberra FM General Manager, Craig Wagstaff says whilst it’s timely to touch on during Reconciliation Week, the inclusion of references to First Nation’s language has been going on for some months now.
He says, “Our aim was to also use the broadcast and communications platform we’re fortunate to have, in aiding awareness and education to our audience which many would argue are the most progressive in the country, from a range of perspectives.
“Members of our team who were in attendance were respectfully bestowed the permission to utilise terms and learnt the Acknowledgement of Country, in Ngunnawal language.
“This process of course is ongoing and continues and was spearheaded by News Director, Lewis Haskew and Content Director Rod Cuddihy on behalf of both HIT104.7 and MIX106.3.
This Reconciliation Week, triple j Unearthed is bringing listeners a week-long Indigenous Takeover on daily program TOPS.
Hosted by triple j’s Indigenous radio presenters and producers, the TOPS Takeover will highlight some of the incredible music being made by new and emerging First Nations artists.
There will be some familiar triple j faces, and a couple new ones too…
Nooky – triple j Blak Out host, rapper and Yuin man
Loren Ryan – ABC Country producer, musician and Gamilaraay woman
Ajay Williams – triple j Hack reporter and Bundjalung man
Dave Woodhead – triple j Lunch presenter, stand-up comic and Torres Strait Islander man
Ashley McGregor – triple j Breakfast Producer and Wadawurrung woman
Tyrone Pynor – triple j Weekend Lunch & triple j soul ctrl presenter and Torres Strait Islander man
triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed will this week highlight lots of the stories, culture, and art of First Nations Australians.
SBS has released its Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2022-2026, during National Reconciliation Week, outlining its commitment to increasing the prominence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and perspectives, including delivering more First Nations content in more than 60 languages, across the network.
Over the next four years, among its commitments, SBS will implement activities and initiatives that increase the visibility and presence of First Nations perspectives across SBS’s platforms in multiple languages, every day.
These include further embedding Indigenous news and perspectives as part of SBS audio and digital services in more than 60 languages, through SBS’s TV news coverage in English, Arabic and Mandarin, and through landmark programming which amplifies national issues from an Indigenous lens.
SBS Managing Director, James Taylor, says SBS’s ability to bring communities together to acknowledge, reflect, and celebrate First Nations cultures and achievements sits at the heart of our network’s distinctive offering, and underpins its Elevate RAP.
“Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuing culture, alongside people who have come here from every country around the world. Every day at SBS we witness the positive impact of connection across such a diversity of cultures.
“We are investing further in bringing communities together in a deliberate, innovative and unprecedented way through our Elevate RAP, which outlines our strongest commitment to date to advance reconciliation. We’re proud to be among a select group of organisations in Australia recognised for our capacity to create change which contributes to a more inclusive Australia. We will use our position and influence to encourage other organisations to join us as we continue on our RAP journey.”
