171. Ngaarda Media

Tangiora Hinaki on trailblazing media, resurgent cultures, & the latest on Murujuga, Title Fight & Voice

Roebourne / Ieramugadu is a small town in the Pilbara region of WA, and it’s at the heart of an extraordinary resurgence of ancient cultures that still flies largely under the radar, and in the face of ongoing threats. Part of that resurgence, and covering it, is Ngaarda Media, an independent community broadcaster and media training hub, representing and empowering the Aboriginal people (ngaarda) of the Pilbara. And heading up the organisation is Tangiora Hinaki.

“One of the things that he said to me is that, you do the work, the doors will open. You’re doing news now, but he’s like well, we’ll be doing news TV soon. I think too, when you speak life or you speak vision, it’s a powerful tool to bring it to pass, and that’s how I roll. ”

— Tangiora Hinaki

Tangiora is a Māori woman who ventured from New Zealand Aotearoa to the Pilbara, where a serendipitous encounter changed the course of her life, and the media landscape in this part of the country. We talk here about her amazing story, the transformation of Ngaarda Media, the survival and revival of ancient cultures here, and the latest news on several significant breaking fronts.

This includes what’s been happening at the incredible Murujuga / Burrup Peninsula since the police raid of the Ngaarda Media house became global news in April. Just prior to the raid, Ngaarda was covering the removal of sacred rock art sites for industry expansion.

We also get the latest on where we left off with Paul Cleary, the best-selling author of Title Fight: How the Yindjibarndi Battled and Defeated a Mining Giant, as that mining giant continues to mine their land without permission or payment.

We canvas the vibe around the Voice referendum too. While exploring some of the many exceptional aspects of cultural resurgence radiating out from in and around the developing studios of Ngaarda Media.

Head here for automatic cues to chapter markers (also available on the embedded player above), and a transcript of this conversation (please note the transcript is AI generated and imperfect, but hopefully serves to provide greater access to these conversations for those who need or like to read).

This conversation was recorded at Ngaarda Media on 7 June 2023.

Click on the photos below for a zoomed in view. All photos by Anthony James unless noted.

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