Guest Curator Rhoda Roberts AO selects her SBS On Demand favourites

The theme for National NAIDOC Week 2023 (2-9 July) is, For Our Elders, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have proud Bundjalung woman and SBS Elder in Residence, Rhoda Roberts AO, share her top picks for you to stream.

Rhoda Roberts AO Guest Curates Going Places with Ernie Dingo, First Australians, Yolngu Boy Credit: SBS

"When NAIDOC roles around each year I love to reflect. I'll have a bit of a laugh, but I do love watching something that's a bit of a tearjerker. It reminds me of the life that many of our old people experienced. So keep the tissue box close."

First Australians

First Australians Source: SBS / SBS Movies

This series chronicles the birth of contemporary Australia as never told before, from the perspective of its first people. First Australians explores what unfolds when the oldest living culture in the world is overrun by the world's greatest empire. Over seven episodes, First Australians depicts the true stories of individuals - both black and white - caught in an epic drama of friendship, revenge, loss and victory in Australia's most transformative period of history.

First Australians is now streaming at SBS On Demand.

Incarceration Nation

Source: SBS / NITV

Incarceration Nation lays bare the story of the continued systemic injustice and oppression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on their own land, told by Indigenous Australians. With 474 Indigenous deaths in custody in Australia from 1991 to 2021,* and no criminal convictions for the accused, Incarceration Nation puts First Nations voices front and centre, as they fight for visibility.

Lousy Little Sixpence

"Made in 1983 by Alec Morgan and one of our great Bundjalung playwrights Gerry Bostock and features Aunty Margaret Tucker and Uncle Bill Reed. They recall being taken by the Aboriginies Protection Board to homes. Now both were involved in the legacy and formation of the Australian Aboriginies' League and the Aboriginies Progressives Association, they were giants."

Lousy Little Sixpence Credit: Kanopy

This documentary looks at how Aboriginal children were taken away from their families and given as servants to white employers as ruled by the Aborigines Protection Board in NSW in 1901.

The Bowraville Murders (Australia Uncovered)

The Bowraville Murders Source: SBS

The Bowraville Murders investigates one of Australia's most prominent unsolved serial murder cases – the murder of three Aboriginal children between September 1990 and February 1991 – and the 30-year battle for justice by the victims' families.

Going Places with Ernie Dingo

"Ernie manages to bring his humour and connect everyone with the great places we want to visit that are on our bucket list."

Aaron Fa’Aoso, Narelda Jacobs, Rae Johnston and Bianca Hunt join Ernie Dingo in season 5 of ‘Going Places With Ernie Dingo’. Source: SBS

Prepare to have your breath taken away by some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery, and be moved by the real-life stories of the people Ernie meets in his quest to discover more about the country’s popular tourist destinations. This is no ordinary travel show, as Ernie introduces us to the traditional owners and other people who live, breathe and work amongst these incredible places.

Going Places with Ernie Dingo seasons 1 - 5 now streaming at SBS On Demand. Season 5 premieres exclusively at 7.30pm on SBS and NITV on Saturday 8 July. Episodes air weekly and will be available at SBS On Demand each Saturday after they go to air.

NIMA's (National Indigenous Music Awards 2020)

"I love watching the National Indigeous Music Awards every year. It's such a great celebration of our talented musicians and songwriters, highlighting music genres coming from across the country."

(L-R) 2020 NIMA finalists include: Meiisha, Baker Boy & JessB and Mau Power Credit: NITV/National Indigenous Music Awards

A celebration of the achievements of Indigenous artists from the National Indigenous Music Awards 2020. Featuring Meiisha, Steven Oliver, Christine Anu, Jim Moginie, Archie Roach, Thelma Plum, Mau Power, Jessica Mauboy, Mitch Tambo, Electric Fields and more.

Alone Australia

"I loved watching this Australian series set in the remote wilds of Tasmania. It was great to see mob compete in this Australian series."

'Alone Australia' Source: SBS / SBS / Narelle Portanier

The global hit, comes down under. This is not your average survival series. Ten Australian survivalists are dropped in the remote wilds of Western Tasmania/ lutruwita, completely isolated from the world and each other, stripped of modern possessions, contact and comforts, to self-document their experience – the last one standing winning $250,000.

Alone Australia season 1 is now streaming at SBS On Demand.

Yolngu Boy

Source: SBS / SBS Movies

Lorrpu, Botj and Milika are three Aboriginal teenagers caught between the modern world and the oldest living culture on Earth. The boys once shared a childhood dream of becoming great hunters, but things have changed and their paths are diverging. When Botj finds himself on the wrong side of both black and white law, Lorrpu and Milika risk their own future to save their friend. Leaving behind their community, the boys trek through the unforgiving wilderness to Darwin to argue Botj's case with their tribal leader. To survive, they must draw on the ancient bush knowledge they were taught as boys and, most importantly, on their bonds of friendship.

SBS is proud to broadcast the first SBS Elder in Residence Oration, presented by Widjabul Wia-bal woman from the Bundjalung Nation, Rhoda Roberts AO, on Sunday 9 July at 7.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. Appointed as SBS’s inaugural Elder in Residence in 2020, Roberts is an eminent community and industry leader, revered and celebrated as a pioneer in the arts and creative sector.

Explore RHODA ROBERTS GUEST CURATOR COLLECTION and the full NAIDOC WEEK COLLECTION at SBS On Demand.

* https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/ng-interactive/2018/aug/28/deaths-inside-indigenous-australian-deaths-in-custody