First Nations First

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are being held across Australia this week to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year's theme is 'Fifty Years of Deadly', celebrating more than five decades of NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week runs from the 5th to the 12th of July. The Committee members say the milestone offers a chance to honour those who built the NAIDOC movement, and consider what still needs to change.

Traditional owners in Far North Queensland have come together with scientists for the first time to help tackle threats against human-induced climate change. The inaugural conference with leaders from seventeen different Torres Strait Islands is helping shape Australia's next State of Environment Report due in December this year. Reporter Josh van Staden travelled to Thursday Island with support from the Pulitzer Center.

Traditional owners in Far North Queensland have come together with scientists for the first time to help tackle threats against human-induced climate change.

The inaugural conference with leaders from seventeen different Torres Strait Islands is helping shape Australia's next State of Environment Report due in December this year.

Community led events are being held across the country to mark National Reconciliation Week, which runs from May 27 to Jun 03. This year's theme is 'All In' - a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation, and to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's rights.

Almost three decades on from the landmark Bringing Them Home report on Stolen Generations, the government has implemented just six per cent of recommendations. This National Sorry Day, advocates are calling for government action to better support survivors and their families.

The impacts of the Stolen Generation policies on families were detailed publicly for the first time in the landmark 'Bringing Them Home' report 29 years ago, following a national inquiry that featured the testimonies of more than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Many recommendations from the report on redress and support for survivors still remain unimplemented. The Healing Foundation's David Wragge has spoken with Biwa Kwan about marking Sorry Day, and the work that remains to ensure appropriate redress and support is provided to ageing survivors. First Nations listeners seeking support can contact 13YARN on 13 92 76.

First Nations Australians who have lived experience of incarceration in Victoria are showcasing their work through an art exhibition. The exhibition, highlighting the artists' voices, has proved the ripple effect - where one event can cause a series of bigger effects - for some to take a new path beyond prison.

The Northern Territory justice system is under fresh scrutiny amid allegations people are being held in overcrowded cells for long periods of time without adequate healthcare in a Darwin correctional facility. A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections has said in a statement that the Darwin Transitional Custody Centre accommodates prisoners for a maximum of four weeks. They said prisoners undergo intake and medical screening to ensure they don't have any serious health concerns and are well suited to the environment. The spokesperson also said prisoners do have access to phones and can contact family. But this week, the North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) accused the government of failing to fully address the issue, saying parts of the Darwin City Watchhouse had been renamed and transferred to the control of the corrections department – while conditions continue to resemble a watchhouse. NAAJA CEO Ben Grimes is being interviewed here by Tee Mitchell.

Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man Travis Lovett is now well into his 800 kilometre walk from Melbourne to Canberra. The former Yoorrook Justice Commissioner is leading the five-week long 'Walk for Truth' to call on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to establish a National Truth Telling Process. SBS reporter Angelica Waite spoke with Mr Lovett when he was in Seymour, about 150 kilometres into his journey.

WARNING Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story includes the name and image of an Indigenous person who has passed away. THIS STORY MAY BE DISTRESSING FOR SOME LISTENERS. The desperate search for a five-year-old missing in the Northern Territory has ended in tragedy. Police believe they've found the girl's body. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says the entire Northern Territory is mourning the family's loss.

[[WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should exercise caution when listening to this audio as it contains names and images of deceased persons, which may cause distress to members of these communities.]] Since the First World War, Indigenous men and women have served in Australia's defence forces, despite the government's refusal to recognise their rights. NITV Radio's Kerri-Lee Barry has spoken to Michael Bell about members of her own family who served in Australia's defence forces.