Charles Perkins interviewed by Peter Read in the Peter Read collection of interviews conducted for his book entitled, Charles Perkins : a biography [sound recording]

Charles Perkins speaks of his early life at St Francis House; restrictions under the Aborigines Protection Act; Ted Noffs & his Foundation; Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islands (FCAATSI); revolution in Aboriginal affairs in the 1960s; studying at Sydney University; Freedom Ride; Office of Aboriginal Affairs; adjusting to the Public Service; racism in Australia; tent embassy; establishment of National Aboriginal Consultative Committee (NACC); government ministers relations with the National Aboriginal Conference (Australia) (NAC); interview on children being taken from their parents; writing "A Bastard Like Me"; Aboriginal leadership; his father's death; year in Alice Springs; his family; standing as an independent candidate for the ALP in the Northern Territory; confrontation with Bjelke-Petersen.

Perkins talks about land councils; his return to Canberra; the Australian Development Commission (ADC); Aboriginal staff; his role as Chairman; setting up ADC office in the Todd River; Brisbane Commonwealth Games; petition to the Queen; mainstreaming Aboriginal affairs; handover of Uluru; land rights; sit-ins; ATSIC "tour" and legislation; being stood aside; the contribution Aborigines could make to Australian society.