Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have always been storytellers, and that tradition has just been given a big boost.
Wednesday marked the launch of BlakCast, the country's first Indigenous podcast network.
Partnering with the Australian Radio Network's iHeart, the new platform is First Nations owned and led, and has already signed on a raft of some of Blak podcasting's best titles.
Mundanara Bayles is BlakCast's new owner. She considers the network's launch a watershed moment.
"For a Blak woman to launch a Blak podcast with the number one podcast publisher in the country, that's a big deal," she told NITV.
In a break from the past, Bayles said the network would be a supportive platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content creators, and encouraged podcasters to come calling.
"You're not gonna be the only Blakfulla when you come to Blakcast: you're gonna be understood and welcomed," she said.
"You're coming into a Blak space that's culturally safe. That's what's most important."
Blak lives for Blak listeners
BlakCast has already partnered with a number of First Nations-led podcasts, including 'Black Magic Woman', 'Yarning Up', and 'Coming Out Blak'.
Podcaster Ginny Orcher is another content creator snapped up by BlakCast. The Gamillaroi Kooma woman has a passion for the genre.
"I love the insight that podcasting gives into peoples lives," she told NITV.
"I had a vision for this incredible podcast where we could talk about being Blak in a space that's led by Blakfullas, where we could talk about things ... which are taboo to the wider community.
Her podcast 'Unapologetically Blak', which also features Bayles, was born from that idea. It has a simple guiding mission.
"It’s all of the things you feel comfortable talking to your aunties about after a drink or two. Just us being us!"
Carving our own space
Mundanara Bayles is continuing her dad's legacy of broadcasting. Credit: Joseph Mayers
Her father, the legendary broadcaster Tiga Bayles, was a staunch social activist who established Radio Redfern, and used his airspace to fight for First Nations rights.
With her own children in the audience at Wednesday's launch, the younger Bayles reflected on how times had changed.
"My kids are growing up where Blakfullas working and running businesses is the norm. It's very different to my upbringing in Redfern.
"The emotion was from looking at my children, and seeing my father and his spirit that [they] carry. It made me reflect on the change."
Bayles said BlakCast's invitation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander podcasters also extends to all people of colour.
"Our motto is 'Unite Our Voices', so that's what we're doing!
"We don't need to keep banging on the doors of big institutions or organisations. We're creating our own!"
LISTEN TO
Goodways: Episode 4 - Female Friendships
SBS NITV
15/06/202345:07
