Latest news with #IndigenousPerspectives
CBC
a day ago
- Politics
- CBC
Another Trudeau-appointed senator joins Conservative caucus
Sen. Mary Jane McCallum of Manitoba is now part of the Conservatives' Senate caucus — making her the second senator appointed by former prime minister Justin Trudeau to join the party this month. McCallum, who is Cree and a member of the Barren Lands First Nation, said she made the decision to join the Conservatives after consulting with chiefs and community leaders. "I feel strongly that this is a crucial step in building bridges," she said in a statement on Tuesday. "Our communities have long sought opportunities for greater collaboration and mutual understanding. By joining the Senate Conservative caucus, I hope to help broaden the conversation and ensure Indigenous perspectives are reflected across the full political spectrum." McCallum was appointed to the upper chamber in 2017 by Trudeau. She is the second senator appointed by the Liberal prime minister to join the Conservatives this month. New Brunswick Sen. David Richards joined the Conservative fold last week. McCallum and Richards — who both had been sitting as non-affiliated senators — join the Conservative caucus as its numbers have been dwindling in recent years. With the addition of McCallum, the Conservatives now have 13 members in the red chamber. But the Conservatives are still the smallest group in the Senate. The current standings in the Senate now sit at 46 senators in the Independent Senators Group, 21 in the Canadian Senators Group, 18 in the Progressive Senate Group and six non-affiliated senators, with one seat left to fill. Canadian senators must retire when they turn 75, which means that already small caucus will shrink later this year when Conservative Quebec Sen. Judith Seidman retires in September and Richards retires the following month. Newfoundland and Labrador Conservative Sen. Elizabeth Marshall is slated to retire in September of next year and Ontario Sen. Salma Ataullahjan's retirement date is set for April 2027. Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Sen. Leo Housakos, said McCallum is a "principled leader and a tireless advocate for Canada's Indigenous communities." "Her expertise and unique perspective will be invaluable as we work to strengthen the Senate's role as a forum for open debate, diversity of thought, rigorous accountability and meaningful dialogue reflective of all Canadians," Housakos said in a statement on Tuesday. CBC News asked Housakos's office if the Conservatives have been actively trying to recruit senators. "We believe that having a diverse and growing membership is vital to ensuring the health and effectiveness of the Opposition in the Senate. A strong Opposition is essential to upholding the Senate's role as a chamber of sober second thought," a statement from his office said in response.
SBS Australia
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
NITV's flagship news and current affairs program The Point elevates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' voices, returning with another community-led season filmed on Country and in-studio
Exploring First Nations perspectives on national discussions, The Point premieres Tuesday 3 June on NITV and SBS On Demand, encoring on SBS after World News Late *Images here* *Interviews available* 9 May 2025 National Indigenous Television's (NITV) flagship news and current affairs program, The Point, returns for its tenth season on Tuesday 3 June at 7.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand, and on SBS following World News Late . Each week, host John Paul Janke, a proud Wuthathi and Meriam man, joins expert panellists, community leaders and decisionmakers to explore issues that matter most to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Marking a decade on air, The Point continues to bring Indigenous perspectives to the centre of national conversations, platforming diverse perspectives from across the continent. This season features one-hour issues-based panel shows, alternating between episodes filmed in community and in studio on Cammeraygal Land in Sydney. The series remains a leading source of original journalism and breaking news. This year, The Point will once again travel across the country to engage local communities and explore real solutions for the future. Locations include Hobart (nipaluna), Darwin (Garramilla), Cherbourg (Barambah), the Torres Strait Islands (Zenadth Kes), and Melbourne (Naarm). Proud Mudburra and Wagadagam woman, and NITV's Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs, Natalie Ahmat, said: ' The Point is celebrating a decade on air and remains as vital today as when it launched with Stan Grant in 2016. We are incredibly proud of John Paul Janke and the team's tireless work, and we are excited to bring another season of essential viewing to all Australians – particularly in the wake of the Federal Election.' Host of The Point and National Indigenous Affairs Editor, John Paul Janke said: 'I'm thrilled to be working with the team on another timely season of The Point where we travel across the country to elevate community voices. It's important that these local people have a national platform to share their thoughts. Some of the locations we visit are places The Point hasn't travelled to in the last few years, so we're eager to reach more mob than ever before. At a time when disparity still exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, we hope The Point helps inform all Australians and supports a deeper understanding of First Nations matters.' Synopses: Episode 1: We Put the 'Blak' in Blacktown (Tuesday 3 June) Originally called 'Blacks Town', the western Sydney suburb is home to the largest urban First Nations population in Australia. Blacktown residents are at the epicentre of rising costs and a shortage of affordable and social housing. The Point examines how urban Mob are getting on the front foot in the big smoke. Episode 2: Treaty Now or Never? (Tuesday 10 June) Australia has never been closer to forging its first treaty with its First Nations peoples, but the way ahead remains uncertain. In Melbourne, The Point examines the 'what' and 'why' of treaty and asks whether Australia is mature enough for a conversation about the past before we forge a vision for a shared future. Episode 3: On the Wild Frontline (Tuesday 17 June) John Paul Janke goes on Country with palawa changemakers who are fighting to preserve Australia's heritage. From old-growth forests to cultural practice and traditional access to land and water, First Nations communities in Tasmania are standing up for the future. Filmed in Hobart on nipaluna Land. The Point is among NITV's comprehensive, multiplatform Indigenous news and current affairs offering. For coverage with a unique First Nations lens, watch The Point, NITV News, Nula, and Living Black, and head online to The Point premieres weekly from Tuesday 3 June at 7.30pm on NITV, and encores on SBS after SBS World News Late. It will also be available to stream free on SBS On Demand, with captions in English and subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. For screeners and images, please visit the SBS Screening Room. For a PDF of this media release, click here .
