John Paul Janke is Wuthathi from the Eastern Cape York Peninsula and from Mer (Murray) Island in Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait.)
He is the National Indigenous Affairs Editor at SBS and NITV and for the last 6 seasons as hosted the channel’s flagship Indigenous news and current affairs show ‘The Point’. He also co-hosts SBS/NITV’s annual ‘Sunrise Ceremony’ or “Sunset Ceremony on Jan 26 and has been a guest host of SBS’ INSIGHT program.
He’s been a ABC Radio Presenter on ABC 666 Canberra and has regular guest appearances on Insiders (ABC) and The Project (Ten).
He is also currently the Chair of the National Museum of Australia’s Indigenous Reference Group and Co-Chair of the National Basketball League (NBL) Reconciliation Working Group.
He has previously worked as a journalist and media specialist in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs for nearly three decades with Executive positions at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra.
John Paul was a member and Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee for almost a decade and has previously sat on the Diversity Council of Australia’s Expert Advisory Panel and been the Deputy Chair of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre.
All these roles enable him to be a passionate advocate for the need for a greater awareness and celebration of the rich histories and the diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
