First Contact

More than six out of ten who call Australia home have had little or no contact with Aboriginal people. The chasm and disconnect between the First Australians and the rest of the nation is vast. Building on the major television event broadcast of First Contact, this special Awaken with Stan Grant will talk to a panel on Indigenous Affairs to discuss misrepresentation, invisibility and trans-generational trauma - issues that are rooted firmly at the heart of colonisation. Why does this happen, what are the effects and what is the ‘first response’ towards understanding, empowerment and healing?

A Yamatji man from Western Australia, Ernie Dingo has had an incredible career in the Australian Media, his wit and humour challenging some of the most virulent issues impacting on Indigenous Peoples. Building on the major television event broadcast of First Contact, this special Awaken speaks to one of Australia’s most recognisable personalities about being back in the bush and his journey. Discussing the challenges he has faced over the decades, Ernie also talks to Stan about his view on the representation of Indigenous peoples in today’s media landscape.

Join Stan Grant for an Insight special on First Contact, directly following the final First Contact episode. Insight brings together the six participants of this confronting series, to see if they’ve changed their views. First Contact host Ray Martin, will also join this lively debate.

Everybody has a view about the groundbreaking series First Contact but what are those opinions based on, real evidence or further prejudice? Catherine Liddle hosts this special panel episode.