Advocacy

Educators supported to navigate complexities of Australia Day with NITV programming

Freya Lucas

Jan 11, 2021

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National Indigenous Television (NITV) and SBS Australia have invited all Australians to come together and reflect through the Always Was, Always Will Be programming slate in the week leading up to January 26.

Special events, Slow TV and “powerful premieres” will help to form a unique programming slate to explore the issues facing First Nations peoples, deepening the understanding of those working in all sectors and industries, including early childhood education and care (ECEC).

The programming slate will be supported by educational resources through SBS Learn, supporting communities to deepen their understanding of January 26 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

A variety of programs will be featured, including:

Premiering on NITV, The Whole Table hosted by award-winning actress Shari Sebbens will explore the issues facing Indigenous peoples around the world through an arts and cultural lens.

Slow TV returns to NITV with Bamay II, taking audiences on a bird’s eye view journey of Australian landscapes.

NITV’s The Point hosts a special episode live from Sydney Festival’s The Vigil on the Day of Mourning

Exclusive content collections exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories available across all SBS channels and SBS On Demand.

“As Australia’s national Indigenous broadcaster, NITV provides a vital platform for First Nations voices, truth-telling, and inspiration for all Australians,” Director of Indigenous Content at SBS, Tanya Denning-Orman, said. “January 26 continues to be a time of reflection and healing for our communities, and as the nation marks the day, NITV and SBS play a unique role in bringing all Australians – regardless of their background - together, through an honest and respectful conversation about our nation’s identity and the impact of history on our lives today” she added. “This year, once again, we’re inviting all Australians to join us to take part in this discussion, as we explore and reflect, and encourage an understanding of Australia’s past, present and potential for the future.” For the first time, NITV’s Sunrise Ceremony will move to Queensland. In a two-hour special network event, broadcast live from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), audiences will be invited to enhance their understanding of Australia’s past, present and future as the dawn rises, while acknowledging and embracing a shared future.

Hosted by NITV’s John Paul Janke and featuring Network 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs, the program will feature a range of guests, including Quandamooka representatives (the Traditional Owners of Minjerribah), respective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices including Guyala Bayles, and public figures such as Kerry O’Brien, plus incredible musical performances from artists including Electric Fields and Troy Cassar-Daley. The event will be simulcast across NITV, SBS and Channel 10 from 6am on Tuesday January 26, as well as live on SBS On Demand. On Monday January 25, NITV will commence 24 hours of reflection and healing on the Day of Mourning. As the sun sets, audiences are invited to tune into The Point: Vigil Special, live from Barangaroo, Gadigal Country, in partnership with Sydney Festival. Host Rachael Hocking will lead a conversation with a panel of Indigenous and multicultural guests about the stories that define us as Australians and how we move forward as a unified nation honouring and respecting the true history of our country. T In the lead up to January 26, NITV Online’s Take It Blak podcast will host a conversation on the issues and topics that surround the day. Hosted by Jack Latimore, listeners will have the chance to hear Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander opinions and analysis around one of the most contentious days in the calendar. SBS Learn will support educators across the country and encourage engagement with the conversations around January 26 by providing trusted resources and learning opportunities.

New resources that explore The Point and Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky (in partnership with the Maritime Museum) will be released. These add to extensive resources exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, cultures and histories already found on SBS Learn.

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