Indigenous Programs Unit
The Indigenous Programs Unit (IPU) was established by the ABC in 1987, with the objective of becoming a centre of excellence for production of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander television in Australia. It is based at the ABC in Sydney. Nine full-time staff are employed in the IPU, five of whom are Indigenous.
Since its establishment, the IPU has produced a number of stand-out series. 'Blackout' was the longest running magazine show. It was followed by 'Kam Yam' (meaning "come yarn" in Creole) and the music series 'Songlines'. Its most current program is 'Message Stick'.
Message Stick is a half hour TV program about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lifestyles, culture and issues. It features profile stories, interviews, video clips, short films and cooking segments and provides a slot where special half hour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander documentaries can be shown. It allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to tell their stories in their own way.
The program delivers articulate, contemporary human stories from around the country and features engaging, inspirational local characters. It gives our audience intimate access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lifestyles, perspectives and aspirations.
Five key full time staff work in the IPU, four of whom are Aboriginal. Message Stick is also hosted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our current presenter is Miriam Corowa. Past presenters have included Rachael Maza, Kelrick Martin, Deborah Mailman, Aden Ridgeway and Trisha Morton-Thomas.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers from around the country are also employed by the IPU on a freelance basis to produce stories. Over the years many talented freelance writers, producers and directors have worked in the unit helping to give expression to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective on our television screens.
The IPU has also broadcast and supervised the National Indigenous Documentary Fund (NIDF) - a series of half hour films on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, people and lifestyles. Many of these documentaries have won awards including 'Bush Mechanics', which collected an AFI Award for Best Concept.