Speak My Language

‘Speak My Language: Disability’ shares stories of Indigenous Australians who are engaging in their passions while also living with a disability. Hear stories about blind fishing, the connection between art and well-being, poetry writing and more in these thoughtful chats with hosts Lowanna Grant and Kerri-Lee Harding. Each episode also offers advice about how to access relevant services, and helpful tips and hints from those who've walked the path. This series is part of an initiative funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, led by the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW and proudly delivered in Partnership with SBS.

Episodes

Bianca Templar: Art, Culture and Advocacy

January 21, 2025 • 19 mins

Bianca Templar is an artist deeply rooted in her culture and an advocate for First Nations rights. Her creative journey is woven with tradition, community, and activism. In this episode Bianca yarns to Lowanna Grant as she shares the profound influence of the elders and mentors who have passed down traditional cultural art practices, shaping both her artistic expression and her identity.

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Dr Richard Fejo: Advocating for an Indigenous perspective in healthcare

January 19, 2025 • 17 mins

Dr Richard Fejo, who is more affectionately known as Uncle Richie, is a Larrakia man who has dedicated his life to cross-cultural education and improvement of outcomes for Indigenous people. Living with limb difference Richie draws on his experience to educate and advocate for the improved health outcomes of Indigenous Australians, particularly through his role as the Elder on Campus for Flinders University.

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Kerri Shying: Connecting culture through poetry

January 16, 2025 • 16 mins

In this compelling conversation with Lowanna Grant, Kerri Shying, a Wiradjuri poet with a mixed heritage including Chinese Australian ancestry, shares how poetry serves as a tool for emotional expression and cultural connection. Despite living with a degenerative disease, Kerri explains how poetry helped her regain her voice and connect with both her Indigenous roots and broader communities.

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Paul Constable Calcott: A Wiradjuri Artist Championing Inclusion

January 13, 2025 • 18 mins

Paul Constable Calcott, or Uncle Paul, a proud Wiradjuri man and artist, reflects on his life's journey from a childhood impacted by polio to becoming a UN delegate advocating for Indigenous artists with disabilities. Through his involvement in the NuunaRon Art Group, Uncle Paul continues to create safe spaces for storytelling and cultural expression, helping others to find their voices through art.

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Cass Best creating inclusivity for LGBTQI mob living with disability

January 8, 2025 • 14 mins

Cass Best is a proud Gay Kamilaroi Mari who is non- binary and living with disability. They actively advocate for and engage with Mob and the LGBTQI+ community. Much of Cass’ advocacy focuses on intersectionality, working to create inclusive spaces for mob who are queer and live with disabilities. Being an advocate has not only improved Cass’ wellbeing, but has also improved inclusion and accessibility for others. In this episode C...

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Samantha Schmidt: An inspiring journey in Parasport

January 6, 2025 • 11 mins

In this episode of Speak My Language (Disability), Kerri-Lee Harding yarns with Samantha Schmidt, a para-athlete and proud Wakka Wakka and Gubbi Gubbi woman from Queensland. Samantha, who holds the Australian national record in women's F38 discus, shot put, and javelin, recently returned from representing Australia at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Her journey in athletics, alongside her experience living with cerebral palsy, rev...

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Exploring the art of blind fishing with James Griffiths

December 18, 2024 • 16 mins

In this episode of Speak My Language: Disability we share the story of James Griffiths, a proud Wangaaypuwan man. After becoming blind in 2005, James has become a passionate First Nations advocate for disability inclusion. James is also an avid fisher and yarns to us about the art of blind fishing.

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