First Nations Media Australia (FNMA), formerly Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA), is the national peak body for

Aboriginal Australian Aboriginal Australians are the various indigenous peoples of the Australian mainland and many of its islands, excluding the ethnically distinct people of the Torres Strait Islands. Humans first migrated to Australia 50,000 to 65,000 year ...

and

Torres Strait Islander Torres Strait Islanders ( ) are the Indigenous Melanesians, Melanesian people of the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of the state of Queensland, Australia. Ethnically distinct from the Aboriginal Australians, Aboriginal peoples of the res ...

not-for-profit broadcasting, media and communications.

History

The Indigenous Remote Communications Association Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation (IRCA) was officially established as the peak body for remote Indigenous media and communications in 2001 at the Remote Video Festival held at

Umuwa Umuwa is an Aboriginal community in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY lands) in South Australia, serving as an administrative centre for the six main communities on "The Lands", as well as the outlying communities. It is located appro ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which in ...

. It expanded its role and representation to become the national peak body for the

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous Australians are people with familial heritage from, or recognised membership of, the various ethnic groups living within the territory of contemporary Australia prior to History of Australia (1788–1850), British colonisation. The ...

broadcasting, media and communications industry in 2016–2017.

Description and activities

FNMA is located in Mparntwe-Alice Springs. FNMA runs a number of annual events, including the National Remote Indigenous Media Festival, in its 21st year in September 2019.

Partnerships and joint projects

First Sounds is a collaborative effort by the

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) is the peak body and the national representative organisation for community radio and television stations in Australia. The CBAA provide leadership, advocacy and support for members to ac ...

(CBAA) and FNMA to get more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists played and heard on Australian radio music industry. On 1 June 2021, the

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s principal public service broadcaster. It is funded primarily by grants from the federal government and is administered by a government-appointed board of directors. The ABC is ...

announced a partnership with FNMA for a period of 12 months, with the two organisations sharing knowledge and staff to bring more Indigenous voices and stories to Australian media. FNMA has had a long association with the

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), established as the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (AIAS) in 1964, is an independent Australian Government statutory authority. It is a collecting, ...

(AIATSIS), including the digitisation of the institute's huge collection of resources. FNMA has been involved with the establishment of the new facility in Mparntwe-Alice Springs, AIATSIS Central Australia, which was officially opened on 2 February 2024.

Governance and people

Managers of FNMA have included: *Daniel Featherstone, general manager from 2012 until 2019; oversaw the organisation's transition from IRCA to the national peak body in 2016–2017 *

Catherine Liddle Catherine Liddle is an Aboriginal Australian executive, journalist, and advocate of Indigenous Australians' health. she is CEO of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, and member of the Coalition of Peaks. Early life and education Ca ...

, CEO from 14 October 2019 until December 2020 *Dennis Stokes, CEO from January 2021 until December 2022(former CEO of

Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute The Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, usually referred to as Tandanya, is an art museum located on Grenfell Street in Adelaide, South Australia. It specialises in promoting Indigenous Australian art, including visual art, music a ...

Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...

since 2018) *Shane Hearn, CEO from 16 January 2023 until February 2024 * Wally Tallis, interim CEO from February 2024

References

External links