Marcia Langton

Host Alex Usher speaks with James Waghorne, University Historian at the University of Melbourne and co-editor (with Ross Jones and Marcia Langton) of Dhoombak Goobgoowana , a two-volume work examining Indigenous Australia and the University of Melbourne. Waghorne discusses how the project approaches colonial history through case studies of race science, anthropology, and the harvesting of Indigenous human remains, situating the university within broader systems of Western scientific knowledge and settler colonialism. The conversation also explores the University of Melbourne’s reconciliation efforts, including Indigenous knowledge in the curriculum, collaborative research partnerships, Indigenous astronomy, and the challenges universities face in confronting their colonial pasts while reshaping higher education for the future. 👉 Episode Links: Dhoombak Goobgoowana: A History of Indigenous Australia and the University of Melbourne , edited by Ross L Jones, James Waghorne and Marcia Langton Focus Friday | May 8: Data Myth Busting | Register for free

How do we teach the Frontier Wars with honesty, care, and confidence? You'll hear from filmmaker Rachel Perkins, leading academic and advocate Professor Marcia Langton, Culture is Life CEO Belinda Duarte, senior secondary history teacher Bill Lewis, and Professor Melitta Hogarth of Ngarrngga at Melbourne University. Together they dig into the questions many teachers are sitting with: What does truth-telling actually look like in practice? How do we teach histories of colonial violence with care? How can non-Indigenous teachers approach this work without fear of getting it wrong? We're sharing a recording generously provided by Culture is Life and Ngarrngga, two organisations working at the intersection of First Nations knowledge, education, and advocacy. Culture is Life is an Aboriginal-led not-for-profit amplifying the voices of First Nations young people and championing education as a pathway to justice and truth-telling. Ngarrngga is committed to ensuring all educators have access to Indigenous knowledge systems and the tools to embed them meaningfully in their teaching. Both organisations produce practical, curriculum-aligned resources to support teachers in this work. Resources The Australian Wars website Watch The Australian Wars on SBS on Demand SBS Learn Understanding the Frontier Wars : clips with discussion questions and other classroom resources The Australian Wars book by Rachel Perkins, Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray and Henry Reynolds Ngarrngga : free, high-quality curriculum resources and professional development modules, spanning all subject areas from Foundation to 10. A collaboration between the Faculty of Education, Indigenous Studies Unit and Indigenous Knowledge Institute at the University of Melbourne Culture is Life : Free resources including The Australian Wars , Welcome to Country, First weapons, Stolen Generations, and The Australian Dream with Adam Goodes. Watch a video of the original panel https://www.ngarrngga.org/stories-news/teaching-the-australian-wars-panel Voices Panellists: Rachel Perkins, Arrernte/Kalkadoon (The Australian Wars filmmaker); Marcia Langton, Yiman/Bidjara (academic and cultural leader); Belinda Duarte, Wotjobaluk/Dja Dja Wurrung (CEO, Culture is Life); Bill Lewis (History Teacher, Haileybury College); and Professor Melitta Hogarth, Kamilaroi (Director, Ngarrngga, The University of Melbourne). Episode host: Professor Anna Clark Credits Hey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW . Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark . Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios . Sound engineering by John Jacobs. Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney

In Part 2 of our interview with Professor Marcia Langton, an anthropologist and geographer of Yiman and Bidjara heritage in what’s now known as Australia, she shares contemporary stories of the Aboriginal Land Rights movement, the often tense negotiations with mining companies, and how Aboriginal Australians finally received an apology from the government. This episode was produced and written by Toby McLeod and Callie Shanafelt Wong. Our video interview with Marcia Langton was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. Sacred Land Speaks is brought to you by the Sacred Land Film Project of Earth Island Institute, based in the Lisjan Ohlone territory of Huchiun, otherwise known as Berkeley, California. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

In 2010 we interviewed Professor Marcia Langton, an anthropologist and geographer of Yiman and Bidjara heritage in what’s now known as Australia. She is the Foundation Chair of Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, and a fearless activist speaking out about Aboriginal land rights, with a nuanced approach to mining. When we met in 2010, Professor Langton generously gave us two hours of her time, as she thoughtfully explained the Aboriginal worldview, the particular form of settler colonialism in Australia, and the many ways the first peoples of the land continue to resist threats and protect their sacred sites. This episode was produced and written by Callie Shanafelt Wong and Toby McLeod. Our interview with Marcia Langton was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. Sacred Land Speaks is brought to you by the Sacred Land Film Project of Earth Island Institute, based in the Lisjan Ohlone territory of Huchiun, otherwise known as Berkeley, California. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

Australian Indigenous art is celebrated around the world – but how much is understood about its pivotal role in Indigenous culture, country, politics and law? For the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land, art is more than just aesthetic, it is a means of cultural diplomacy, and a respectful assertion of power in its diverse forms, from sovereignty to influence, authority and control, to energy, strength and pride. This episode brings together two significant exhibitions of Indigenous art on now, Yolngu Power: the art of Yirrkala, and 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art. This conversation was recorded at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on 30 July 2025. Speakers Marcia Langton Co-curator (with Judith Ryan) of the exhibition 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art, Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne (until 22 November 2025) Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies, Associate Provost and Distinguished Professor, University of Melbourne Clare Wright Author, Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions: How the People of Yirrkala Changed the Course of Australian Democracy and more Professor of History and Professor of Public Engagement at La Trobe University Anna Clark (host) Author, Making Australian History, Private Lives, Public History, the History Wars Professor of history, Australian Centre for Public History, University of Technology Sydney Further information: Yolngu power: the art of Yirrkala Art Gallery of New South Wales (until 6 October 2025) 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne (until 22 November 2025)

Peter Dutton’s announcement last month that he won’t stand in front of the Aboriginal flag got the exact reaction he was likely after – talkback minutes, headlines, private agreement from some quarters and outrage from others. Professor Marcia Langton saw something else. She knows the tactic: a toxic political circus in the lead up to Australia Day, centred on lies about Aboriginal people. And she knows Dutton’s record on Indigenous affairs. She doesn’t want him anywhere near the flag. Today, Professor Marcia Langton AO on what it would mean for Aboriginal people if Peter Dutton becomes the prime minister. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Professor Marcia Langton AO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow, Australia will vote on the future of reconciliation. It’s a binary question, but we’re being asked to consider the country’s relationship with the First Australians and how we want to conduct political discourse. The final episode in this series looks at the two different Australias we are choosing between, with someone who has spent her life in the struggle for reconciliation and understanding: Professor Marcia Langton. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Professor of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, Marcia Langton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and academic Julianne Schultz joins Mark and Marija to discuss the media coverage of the Voice campaign and the importance of understanding Australia’s history. What impact has the Coalition’s decision to oppose the Voice to Parliament had on the media’s coverage of the referendum? Why has the debate around the Voice not led to a deeper discussion about Australian history? And how has the No campaign seemingly chipped away at broad public support for the Voice over recent months? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Griffith University Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss the public discomfort around engaging with Australian history and the Voice campaign so far. Julianne Schultz is an Emeritus Professor of Media and Culture at Griffith University, a columnist for The Guardian and the author of The Idea of Australia: A search for the soul of the nation . Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations. Mark Kenny is a Professor at the ANU Australian Studies Institute. He came to the University after a high-profile journalistic career including six years as chief political correspondent and national affairs editor for The Sydney Morning Herald , The Age and The Canberra Times . The following publications were mentioned during this episode: Marcia Langton: Welcome to Country (2nd edition) by Marcia Langton This Is Not Propaganda by Peter Pomerantsev The Idea of Australia by Julianne Schultz Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts , Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au . This podcast is produced by The Australian National University . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sit down for a yarn with prominent Indigenous academic Prof Dawn Bessarab. Dawn is a Bard/Yindijibarndi Aboriginal woman who grew up in the Kimberley in North Western Australia. She has a background in social work, and is now the Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health at UWA. Dawn has led many innovations in Indigenous research methods, and was responsible for developing the clinical yarning framework which is now widely used in Australia and across the world. Dawn gives us a snapshot of her life and career, before sharing her views on the upcoming referendum on constitutional recognitional and a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians. A supporter of the Voice, Dawn provides a unique perspective on what the Voice means for Indigenous people, and some of the challenges that the Indigenous community is facing as the “yes” and “no” campaigns push their cases in a debate that has been very emotional for many. Dawn also addresses some of the arguments from the “no” side of the campaign, and provides some valuable insight into why many Indigenous people are struggling with this debate, and how white Australia can best support the Indigenous community now, and into the future. A big thank you to Dr Emma Haynes who helped to arrange our conversation with Dawn. You can read more about Dawn and her work here: https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/dawn-bessarab For more information on the Voice to Parliament, you can watch/read a speech by Mary Crooks here: https://www.vwt.org.au/women-for-yes-address-by-mary-crooks-ao-delivered-sunday-13-august-2023/ And you can watch Marcia Langton, Jackie Huggins and Emily Carter’s talk here: https://www.vwt.org.au/video-what-do-you-tell-your-grandchildren-featuring-marcia-langton-ao-dr-jackie-huggins-am-and-emily-carter/ As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com or via twitter @healthmeanswhat or via FaceBook @MeaningofHealth or via Instagram @healthmeanswhat

Aboriginal Australian activist and academic Marcia Langton has made a rallying call of support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament at the National Press Club. This comes as First Nations mental health advocates call for politicians to pledge to engage in a more respectful referendum debate.

A keynote address by prominent anthropologist and geographer Professor Marcia Langton AO, on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The Indigenous Voice to Parliament is one of the most important discussions taking place in Australia. In the lead up to the vote, we bring together a range of voices from across the University of Sydney and beyond, to offer critical insight to enrich and inform public understanding and dialogue. Professor Langton was joined on stage for a conversation hosted by Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney. This event is the next in the 'Voices on the Voice' series. It was held live at the University of Sydney on 3 August 2023. For more details and resources, visit the Sydney Ideas page: https://bit.ly/44Vv754

In this session we highlight section 41 of the Australian Constitution. With links to women’s influence on the drafting. The Australian Constitution can be found athttps://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/foi-logs/foi-2021-017.pdf 350+ indigenous – laws/ways of behaving before the Australian Constitution was drafted: Wiradjuri law – Marcia Langton and Aaron Corne bookhttps://thamesandhudson.com.au/product/first-knowledges-law-the-way-of-the-ancestors/ And a podcast of Marcia Langton and Aaron […]