Episode 15: Parliamentary Inquiry into Racism

Episode Description

“The one thing you can’t protect yourself from in this country is racism” – Dakoda Lally

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, SNAICC’s Social Media Coordinator, Dakoda Lally, yarns with Executive Director, Mandy Taylor, about the recent parliamentary inquiry into racism and hate directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Together, they discuss how racism shows up in personal, structural and online forms, and the lasting impacts it has on the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. The conversation unpacks structural racism across systems such as child protection and youth justice, its direct impact on Australia’s progress toward Closing the Gap targets, and the urgent need for social media platforms to better moderate racism directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people online.

While this episode addresses difficult and confronting realities, it also celebrates the pride, strength and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and culture and reinforces the importance of supporting Aboriginal community controlled organisations (ACCOs) in the vital work they do to challenge structural racism in Australia.

Keep the conversation going. Follow, subscribe and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.

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We would like to thank CAAMA Radio for hosting the recording of this episode of SNAICC Yarns at their deadly recording studio in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

To learn more about the inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit this link.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by the issues discussed in this episode, free and confidential support is available through 13YARN: www.13yarn.org.au/ 

This artwork was created to visually represent Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, a podcast by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities.

At the heart of the artwork is a central motif drawn directly from the SNAICC Marulu design – a symbolic anchor that represents SNAICC’s identity, purpose, and vision. This central element grounds the piece, reflecting SNAICC’s leadership in advocating for the rights, wellbeing, and futures of our children.

Surrounding this are three figures, symbolising a community in conversation. These figures represent not only the act of yarning, but the diversity of voices – children, families, Elders, leaders, and community members – who will be heard through the podcast. The figures are encircled by layered soundwaves that ripple outward and inward, capturing both the expression of voice and the act of deep listening.

These soundwaves reflect how stories, knowledge, and lived experiences are shared, received, and echoed across communities – from grassroots voices to national conversations. The design intentionally shows sound as both something that travels outward to inform and inspire, and something that returns inward to strengthen identity, connection, and culture.