Being First Nations and queer means belonging to a community that is full of blak joy, but it can also come with many hurdles. Hear Elisha Jacobs-Smith and Tanesha Bennell chat with Brooke about showing up authentically as yourself. Tanesha and Elisha share what it was like exploring their sexuality, coming out to family and community, and all that entails. Both are now activists within community and promote healing and well-being through connection with culture and chosen families - "If you can’t see it, you can’t be it”. Also find out how to be an ally in the queer First Nations space.

Kiz has partnered with Education National and created materials that are used in schools. In her free time she uses various products to paint on: from footy shoes to cheeseboards to water bottles.

Rickeeta Walley is from a family that helped bring the Welcome to Country into a modern age while protecting millennia old protocols. When her dad Richard Walley was asked to do a Welcome to Country for Harry Styles, he had no idea who that was. The Welcome became a viral sensation and sparked an international discussion about the importance of the Welcome to Country, and creating spiritually safe cultural protocols for guests coming to 'Australia'.

Jack Collard went from being raised in the country, to advocating for First Nations rights at the United Nations. He is the product of two-way learning, navigating academic space and cultural space. Travelling to Indonesia to study International Relations taught Jack about a different measure for happiness, and to value culture and connection over material wealth.

Blak in the Room opens on Wednesday 27th November in Melbourne with performances of three plays by emerging First Nations storytellers celebrating the richness and vitality of Blak theatre.

Dr. Anita Heiss is a proud Wiradyuri woman and acclaimed author, poet, cultural activist and social commentator. She is committed to raising awareness and educating people about consent. While it may be uncomfortable at first, Anita believes that having these yarns within our families and communities is essential, particularly for our First Nations communities.

Ilona McGuire uses her art as commentary on the political climate of 'Australia', often with a lighthearted humour as a tool for activism. Ilona has grown up embracing her Noongar and Kungarakan cultures, performing with her Noongar family since a young age. Her culture informs her artwork and promotes valuable messages and brings attention to the political climate. Combining technology with culture, Ilona has worked with drone light shows such as “Moombaki” to centre the importance of place in story, and the power of knowing the significance of an area.

The much-loved travel and lifestyle series Going Places with Ernie Dingo has returned to NITV and SBS for its 6th season, bringing audiences fresh weekly episodes that capture the beauty, culture and stories of Australia.

You can’t help others with an empty cup, but how does supporting your own needs first, before you support others really go? Shakara Walley went from working in the arts to working with incarcerated youth. Her journey to supporting herself and creating boundaries as a form of love, has informed her work supporting young people in what healthy relationships look like.

Ron Callaghan, a singer-songwriter from the Yuin Nation on the NSW South Coast, recently shared insights into his musical journey with NITV Radio guest reporter Rhianna Brierley.