First Nations First

An Indigenous-led data project is creating its own measures of wellbeing to strengthen self-determination and advocacy.

In Roebourne, a predominantly Aboriginal community of fewer than 1,000 people on Ngarluma country in Western Australia's Pilbara, a community-led data project is challenging who gets to define wellbeing. Yindjibarndi woman Aralyn Lockyer explains how Indigenous data sovereignty, culturally grounded measures and local control could reshape advocacy for housing, social services and self-determination in one of Australia's most disadvantaged communities.

In this episode:

• Why Roebourne is creating its own data sovereignty project and wellbeing measures.
• How questions about culture, language and belonging could reveal a different picture of community wellbeing.
• What community-controlled data might uncover about housing, young people and overlooked local needs.
• Why trust, local knowledge and lived experience matter when collecting data.
• How community evidence could strengthen calls for funding, services and self-determination.

Roebourne's community-led programs tackle food insecurity while residents push for broader long-term change.

In the remote Pilbara town of Roebourne, community-run programs are helping residents access affordable food, find employment and stay connected to culture. But as food insecurity, supply chain challenges and concerns about mining impacts persist, locals ask whether these initiatives can go far enough.

In this episode:

• Inside Roebourne's "social supermarket", where discounted groceries are provided through a community-designed model focused on dignity.
• How a café, community garden and local jobs are creating purpose and strengthening community connections.
• Why this remote town is considered a 'food desert' and the supply chain challenges affecting fresh food access.
• Community perspectives on mining, funding and the loss of access to traditional hunting and ceremonial grounds.
• How local researchers are gathering community data to advocate for housing, transport and youth programs.

Newly released national survey data provides a clearer picture of the health and wellbeing outcomes for the Stolen Generations survivors and descendants.

The data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare also shows there are an estimated 200,000 Stolen Generations descendants aged 18 years and over. Half of descendants live with a disability or restrictive long-term condition and 37 per cent experience high psychological distress.

The Stolen Generations refers to the First Nations children who were removed from their families across Australia - from the mid-1800s and until the 1970s - as part of deliberate assimilation policies aimed at eliminating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In this episode:

• How intergenerational trauma manifests in Stolen Generations families
• Lower health, wellbeing and socioeconomic factors documented in national data
• The role of Stolen Generations advocacy groups
• 30 years on from a landmark report, what happened to the recommendations to support healing for Stolen Generations survivors?

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A senate inquiry has handed down its report on youth incarceration in Australia, including examining the issue of the over-incarceration of First Nations children.

The theme at this year's Garma festival is Bukmak, which means everyone in Yolngu language — an expression of unity and a celebration of the diversity of modern Australia. And it was the tragic death of one five-year-old little girl, Kumanjayi Little Baby in April that has become a powerful symbol of what's possible when a community comes together.

The Garma Festival is underway in northeast Arnhem Land, with the four-day event showcasing traditional Yolŋu art, song, dance and storytelling. Hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, this year’s festival is expected to attract about two-thousand guests, including Australia’s most famous blue heeler, Bluey.

The Garma Festival is on this weekend. running until Monday, with delegates from around the country attending the major First Nations cultural event in north-east Arnhem Land. It's Australia's largest Indigenous cultural gathering and thousands of people are in attendance at Gulkula. The theme for 2026 is Bukmak, which means 'everyone'. In the Yolŋu Matha language, Garma refers to a two-way learning process, recognising everyone has knowledge to share, and respecting difference and exchange. It's organised by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, and for this edition of Weekend One on One, NITV Radio's Lowanna Grant has been speaking to the organisation;s CEO Denise Bowden:

The annual Garma Festival kicks off today on Yolŋu Country in northeast Arnhem Land. It's Australia's largest Indigenous cultural gathering, and a key forum for conversations about social, political and environmental issues affecting First Nations people. The theme this year is Bukmak, which means 'everyone'.

Reforms to the Northern Territory child protection system have sparked alarm and warnings the move could contribute to another Stolen Generation. Experts say the new laws weaken the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, which is intended to keep kids connected to family, country and culture. The NT government argues the reforms are necessary to put safety first.

A WARNING THAT THIS INTERVIEW CONTAINS REFERENCES TO AN INDIGENOUS PERSON WHO HAS DIED Respected Aboriginal writer, activist and filmmaker Richard Frankland has delivered this year’s Elder in Residence Oration, an annual talk which invites reflection on First Nations issues. The Gunditjmara man has previously served in the Army and worked with the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. He is encouraging all Australians to keep truth telling, justice and unity front of mind this NAIDOC Week, telling NITV that truth-telling is essential for Australia's growth as a nation.

A WARNING THAT THIS INTERVIEW CONTAINS REFERENCES TO AN INDIGENOUS PERSON WHO HAS DIED


Respected Aboriginal writer, activist and filmmaker Richard Frankland has delivered this year’s Elder in Residence Oration, an annual talk which invites reflection on First Nations issues.



The Gunditjmara man has previously served in the Army and worked with the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.



He is encouraging all Australians to keep truth telling, justice and unity front of mind this NAIDOC Week, telling NITV that truth-telling is essential for Australia's growth as a nation.