As the proud official media partner of the Garma Festival, the country’s biggest gathering of First Nations politics and culture, the ABC will this weekend bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, stories and culture to all Australians across our platforms.
On Friday 2 August ABC audiences can watch the Garma Festival official opening ceremony on the ABC News channel.
ABC NEWS coverage will be led by Head, International and Indigenous News Suzanne Dredge and Indigenous Affairs Editor Julie Nimmo, supported by a team of First Nations journalists including Indigenous Affairs correspondent Carly Williams and News Channel presenter Dan Bourchier.
Among the other content highlights, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will speak with ABC National Political Lead David Speers on a special episode of Insiders live from the festival.
A year on from the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, this year’s theme looks ahead. ‘Gurtha-Wuma Worrk-gu’ is a Yolŋu phrase signifying fire, strength and renewal.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: “The ABC is proud to continue this important partnership with Garma in 2024.
“The ABC remains committed to building a greater understanding and respect of First Nations cultures and perspectives and enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to share their stories with all Australians.”
The Garma Festival is held at Gulkula, about 40 kilometres from the town of Nhulunbuy in North-East Arnhem Land, a prominent ceremonial place for the Gumatj clan of the Yolŋu people.
Now in its 24th year, the annual festival is run by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, a four-day celebration of Yolngu life and culture.
The event serves as a national hub for discussions, policy and action formulation. It brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through youth forums, miny’tji (art), manikay (song), bunggul (dance) and story-telling.
Yothu Yindi Foundation CEO Denise Bowden said the ABC’s comprehensive coverage across all platforms was important in sharing the Garma message with the nation.
“We’re grateful for the ABC’s long-standing commitment to the event, and its coverage of First Nations issues more broadly,” she said.
RN Breakfast presenter and Q+A host Patricia Karvelas will be back at the festival reporting for ABC NEWS and RN.
On a special episode of Insiders live from Gulkula on Sunday 4 August host David Speers will be joined by panellists Patricia Karvelas, Carly Williams and John Paul Janke.
Younger audiences will be provided with Garma highlights by triple j hack and BTN will film segments from the festival over the weekend.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.