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In this episode of the VAN Talks podcast, VAN’s Charles Pakana talks with CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, Paul Paton. They discuss the clear lack of consultation from the Victorian Government with Traditional Owners on the matter of baiting and trapping the culturally important and significant dingo.

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Nearly six years ago, I traveled across Victoria shadowing Aunty Jill Gallagher, then the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, and catching up with numerous traditional owners who had stepped forward as candidates for election to the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria. During that time, just about five and a half years ago, I met up with one of those candidates at his home in one of Melbourne's outer suburbs. Today, almost on the eve of the commencement of a negotiation between state government and Victoria and Aboriginal people, I'm once again sitting in the home of that same man who is now one of the two co-chairs of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Gunditjmara man, Reuben Berg.

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In this episode VAN's Charles Pakana sits down for a yarn with Aboriginal reform advocate and activist, Bunurong woman Zoe Upton. Together they discuss topics ranging from engaging with Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups, increasing the number of First Nations teachers in the system, supporting identity and the role of allies and collaborators. A must-listen episode for anyone wanting to bring about change in the education system.