NITV: Welcome to Garma

NITV is the official media supporter for the 19th annual Garma festival, in Gulkula, Arnhem Land.

From Friday 4 – Monday 7 August the channel will present a special four-day broadcasting slate, sharing Indigenous stories, from an Indigenous perspective.

NITV’s Channel Manager, Tanya Orman said “NITV’s agility and creative ability has enabled us to relocate the channel for Garma from Guringai country to remote Gulkula, a traditional meeting ground in Arnhem Land.

“Through our special broadcasting slate for Garma 2017, we are proud to be able to provide our audience with a true sense of happenings from this year’s iconic and important gathering, and we are dedicated to delivering the news first as it happens.”

The 2017 broadcast will be led by women, with Sonia Smallacombe, former Social Affairs Officer for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues, joining NITV as political analyst, Natalie Ahmat as anchor and Karla Grant, Nakari Thorpe and Rachael Hocking as presenters. Together they will be conducting interviews with subject experts such as Bill Shorten, Senator Patrick Dodson and Jackie Huggins, and delivering comprehensive live coverage, capturing debate, discussion, arts, culture and analysis across the festival.

NITV’s Garma broadcasting will include Welcome to Garma, a half hour live morning show and The Point Review hosted live from Gulkula on Friday 4 August, full day live hosted forums on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August, and Farwell from Garma, a half hour live show and a special youth-focussed The Point on Monday 7 August.

Garma attracts 2,500 business, political, academic, and other leaders from across the globe and is committed to improving the state of Indigenous disadvantage by engaging these leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

2017 is a special year for Garma as it is the next major meeting for the nation’s Indigenous leaders in the wake of the historic Uluru summit. Momentum is building for a nationwide Makarrata (a Yolngu Matha word for bringing peace after conflict leading to an agreement or treaty), which will form the central theme this year.

Yothu Yindi Foundation CEO Denise Bowden said she was delighted to have NITV on board again at this year’s event.

“NITV did a fantastic job covering last year’s Garma, ensuring that the conversations which take place at the Key Forum were shared with the nation, while also giving Australians a rare glimpse into the rich cultural traditions of the Yolngu people.”

NITV will keep its audience informed about the present state of Indigenous affairs in Australia, as we watch significant developments in Indigenous political discussion.