What should you do when school doesn’t feel safe for you or your child? When low expectations, stereotypes, or silence around racism leave you feeling unheard or pushed aside? 

Walking into a classroom should mean belonging and opportunity. Yet many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students experience racism at school — sometimes openly, sometimes in subtle, systemic ways that are harder to challenge. Over time, this can affect confidence, mental health and how you or your child see the future.

In this episode of Know Your Rights, you’ll learn how racism shows up in schools, how it impacts Aboriginal kids and families, and what your rights are when discrimination happens. Narrated by journalist Jedda Costa — a proud Wemba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Barapa Barapa woman — the conversation centres Aboriginal voices, strength and lived experience.

You’ll hear from Professor Mark Rose, who explains how school systems can reinforce inequality and what real change can look like, and from teacher and mum Djallarna Hamilton, who speaks honestly about advocating for children and navigating school systems as an Aboriginal parent. 

Know Your Rights is a 5 part podcast series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can reach out to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) for more information, to make a complaint or report. Visit: https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/

Click here to access the full shownotes and resources.

Song credits:
Koori Woman - Carol Fraser
Call It Out - David Arden

What should you do when school doesn&rsquo;t feel safe for you or your child? When low expectations, stereotypes, or silence around racism leave you feeling unheard or pushed aside?&nbsp;
Walking into a classroom should mean belonging and opportunity. Yet many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students experience racism at school &mdash; sometimes openly, sometimes in subtle, systemic ways that are harder to challenge. Over time, this can affect confidence, mental health and how you or your child see the future.
In this episode of Know Your Rights, you&rsquo;ll learn how racism shows up in schools, how it impacts Aboriginal kids and families, and what your rights are when discrimination happens. Narrated by journalist Jedda Costa &mdash; a proud Wemba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Barapa Barapa woman &mdash; the conversation centres Aboriginal voices, strength and lived experience.
You&rsquo;ll hear from Professor Mark Rose, who explains how school systems can reinforce inequality and what real change can look like, and from teacher and mum Djallarna Hamilton, who speaks honestly about advocating for children and navigating school systems as an Aboriginal parent.&nbsp;
Know Your Rights is a 5 part podcast series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can reach out to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) for more information, to make a complaint or report. Visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/">https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/</a>
<a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/your-education-your-rights-standing-up-against-discrimination-in-school/">Click here to access the full shownotes and resources.</a>
Song credits:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Koori Woman - Carol Fraser</li>
<li aria-level="1">Call It Out - David Arden</li>
</ul>

Have you ever been refused service because of who you are? Do you feel like the education system wasn’t built for you? Have you or your kids faced racist comments whilst playing sports or going to school? Know Your Rights shines a light on the everyday discrimination First Peoples in Victoria continue to face — in schools, sport, shops, healthcare, and within the criminal legal system. 

Hosted by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti woman from Naarm, this 5 part series unpacks real stories from community and explores how they connect to our shared history and ongoing fight for justice.

Created for First Peoples in Victoria and presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Know Your Rights looks at systemic inequality — from the tragic case of Veronica Nelson to the subtle, everyday moments of bias and exclusion — and asks what it will take to build a fairer future for all.

If you want to get clearer on your rights, speak up for yourself or others, or learn how to better support First Peoples in your community, this podcast gives you real stories and practical tools to help. All episodes will be launching in February 2026 - subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au. 

All episodes were recorded on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm in 2025.

Have you ever been refused service because of who you are? Do you feel like the education system wasn&rsquo;t built for you? Have you or your kids faced racist comments whilst playing sports or going to school? Know Your Rights shines a light on the everyday discrimination First Peoples in Victoria continue to face &mdash; in schools, sport, shops, healthcare, and within the criminal legal system.&nbsp;
Hosted by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti woman from Naarm, this 5 part series unpacks real stories from community and explores how they connect to our shared history and ongoing fight for justice.
Created for First Peoples in Victoria and presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Know Your Rights looks at systemic inequality &mdash; from the tragic case of Veronica Nelson to the subtle, everyday moments of bias and exclusion &mdash; and asks what it will take to build a fairer future for all.
If you want to get clearer on your rights, speak up for yourself or others, or learn how to better support First Peoples in your community, this podcast gives you real stories and practical tools to help. All episodes will be launching in February 2026 - subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au">https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au</a>.&nbsp;
All episodes were recorded on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm in 2025.

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