Read on for information about events coming up in April and May, and a lot is happening related to First Nations issues. This includes the following:
- Active Democracy Bean’s monthly LOCAL Politics in the Pub looks at why Jailing is Failing, crucial when the rates of incarceration remain so high for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Closely related, the Australian Human Rights Commission is hosting a forum on The Answer Is Human Rights.
- For the 16th year, there will be a march in remembrance of the Frontier Wars on Anzac Day. This has been a very powerful event to be part of, highlighting a tragic past so often overlooked.
- There is a new exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia – Ngura Puḻka – Epic Country, with works that depict Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa (Aṉangu law/cultural stories) that lies within.
ANTaR ACT Organising Group
The next meeting of the ANTaR ACT organising group will be at 6pm on Monday 11 May, in person at the Friends Meeting House, corner of Bent and Condamine Streets, Turner. If you would like to join us and be involved in our ongoing advocacy and actions, please contact us at antaract99@gmail.com.
Reminder: new email address for ANTaR ACT
With the long saga of our email address problems, we have created a gmail address: antaract99@gmail.com. We had to include the 99 as ‘antaract’ was not available – someone may have tried to create it previously. Please use this new email address if you need to get in touch with us.
Apologies for the difficulties contacting us over the past few months.
Events
Art Steps by Naminapu Maymuru-White
To Wednesday 15 April, 10.30am – 2pm, Gallery 12, National Gallery of Australia
Art Steps is a series of creative making activities produced by artists for children to enjoy with family and friends. In this Art Steps, Naminapu invites children to listen to the Milŋiyawuy dawu (Milky Way story) and learn about the Milŋiya river. Create shadow puppets, thinking about the dark spaces between the stars, and share stories about loved ones.
Free, drop-on event, no bookings but limit on capacity. For more information, see: https://nga.gov.au/events/art-steps-by-naminapu-maymuru-white/.
Our Stories to Tell: Warraba Weatherall on Mother Tongue
Friday 17 April, 12pm, Gallery 12, National Gallery of Australia
Join Kamilaroi artist Warraba Weatherall as he speaks to his immersive new work, Mother Tongue (part of 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain). This stark and incisive work explores the interconnectedness of land, culture and bodily experience in a world where language has been shaped and co-opted through colonisation. In this exclusive Friday Art Talk, Warraba reflects on how knowledge, care and ongoing maintenance are essential to the continuation of culture.
For more information (bookings not required but capacity limited) see: Our Stories to Tell – National Gallery of Australia.
Our Stories to Tell: Still I Rise with Thea Perkins
Friday 24 April, 12pm, Gallery 12, National Gallery of Australia
Explore the present through the past as Thea Anamara Perkins (Arrernte/Kalkadoon peoples) invites us to share in the stories behind her new work, Still I Rise (part of 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain). Celebrate a poetic portfolio of intimate family portraits, drawn from her history and memories to create an ‘everywhen’. Emerging from a dynasty of Aboriginal activists, Thea’s portraits embrace the private lives of public figures, help unsettle the Western narratives that have framed First Nations peoples, and offer intergenerational insight into legacy and connection.
For more information (bookings not required but capacity limited) see: Our Stories to Tell – National Gallery of Australia.
LOCAL Politics in the Pub: Jailing is Failing – Indra Esquerra and Lived Experience Advocates
5.30-7.30pm, Monday 20 April, Irish Club
We all know that Jailing is Failing, that it’s very costly, doesn’t make us safer and destroys lives.
Come and hear about the Justice Reform Initiative and its work in seeking to reduce incarceration in Australia by 50% by 2030 and build a community in which disadvantage is no longer met with a default criminal justice system response.
Hear from Justice Advocates with lived experience of the incarceration and justice system about their suggestions for reforms – inside and outside of prisons, in the hope that other people who have contact with the justice system will be afforded more opportunities than they were given.
Hosted by Active Democracy Bean. For more information and bookings (free event, donations appreciated) see: https://events.humanitix.com/jailing-is-failing.
Lest we forget the Frontier Wars – 16th Remembrance March
Saturday 25 April, gather at 9.30am, Cnr Anzac Pde and Constitution Ave, Parkes
All welcome – bring banner or flowers.
Every Anzac Day since 2011, marchers have assembled at the foot of Anzac Parade leading to the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Participants have commemorated those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who gave their lives defending their homelands from the incursions of British and other colonists from 1788, when the First Fleet arrived in what we now call Sydney. Although not permitted to join Anzac Day veterans commemorating the fallen of overseas wars in which Australians have participated, Frontier Wars marchers hope that one day the AWM and Australians generally will accept colonial frontier conflicts as befitting official recognition as part of Australia’s war history. Original source: https://australianfrontierconflicts.com.au.
The Frontier Wars March takes place behind the RSL ACT Branch Anzac Day Veterans’ March. It is not part of the official march. https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day/rsl-veterans-march
For more information about the Frontier Wars Remembrance March, see the Sovereign Union Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17yLmcWdW7/.
Smith’s@Belco: Mitch Tambo with Voice of Lele
Saturday 25 April, 7pm, Belconnen Arts Centre
Mitch Tambo is hitting the stage, and he’s bringing the kind of energy that turns an ordinary night into a full-blown celebration. A genre-bending trailblazer, Mitch fuses contemporary world music with traditional Gamilaraay language, dance, and culture, creating a live experience that’s as uplifting as it is unforgettable.
For more information and bookings: https://www.belcoarts.com.au/mitch-tambo/.
The Answer Is Human Rights
Wednesday 29 April, 6pm, Louie Louie (Verity Lane)
Join some of Australia’s leading human rights advocates as they explore the issues facing Canberrans and the human rights strategies we can use to build a better and safer Australia where everyone can feel they belong.
The panel will include a line-up of local and national human rights advocates with:
- Australian Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Kretser
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss
- ACT Human Rights Commission President/Human Rights Commissioner Dr Penelope Mathew
- Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Nguru Support Program Manager (and member of the ANTAR Board) Paula McGrady
For more information and registration (free event, registration encouraged): https://events.humanitix.com/the-answer-is-human-rights-canberra.
Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp
Friday 1 & Saturday 2 May (various sessions), Kennedy Garden, National Museum of Australia
Join a seasonal walk through the National Museum’s Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden, a living museum of First Nations food and medicine plants from across Australia. Enjoy the sights and scents of the season as Adam Shipp (Wiradjuri) of Yurbay Consultancies shares his passion for native plants. Each tour finishes with the opportunity to sample some of the flavours found in the Kennedy Garden and around Australia.
For more information and bookings (cost applies): https://www.nma.gov.au/whats-on/tours-experiences/tasting-australia-forecourt-tours.
Canberra International Music Festival: MOSSO | Returning
Saturday 2 May, 1pm, Gallery, National Film and Sound Archive, 1 McCoy Crescent, Acton
An international collaboration uniting four powerhouse Indigenous composers, Nardi Simpson, Nicole Smede, Aaron Wyatt and Davin Ojala, with Swiss ensemble Ensemble Contrechamps in a visually driven program of new chamber works at the highest level.
For more information and bookings: https://cimf.org.au/shows/mosso-returning/. Some of the First Nations artists are also participating in other events as part of the festival. For the full program, see: Canberra International Music Festival – Experience a music adventure.
Uncle Frank Yamma
Saturday 2 May, 6pm, Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic
Uncle Frank Yamma is one of Australia’s most significant Indigenous songwriters with an ability to cross cultural and musical boundaries. A Pitjantjatjara man, Frank sings in his native language and English. Uncle Frank’s mighty songs, magical guitar playing, and deeply evocative voice tell stories of country, protection, heartache, travel and love. Although he’s lived in Adelaide for many years, Frank’s spirit belongs to the heart of Australia. Uluru. Docker River. Ernabella. Central Australia. As Frank says, “wherever the Pitjantjatjara mob come from”.
For more information and tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/events/uncle-frank-yamma-95574?d=2%2F05%2F2026+6%3A00%3A00+PM. Also see: https://www.frankyamma.com/.
Rechelle Turner & Wallabindi | Yuma Yarn
Thursday 21 May, 5.30pm, Canberra Spinners and Weavers, Chifley
Learn the joyful, meditative practice of slow-stitched coiled weaving in a relaxed and conversational environment with wonderful live music.
Wiradjiri artist Rechelle Turner will guide you through the process of stitching and shaping your own coiled piece using raffia. As your hands work, enjoy rich and soulful music by Wallabindi – a Wardandi Bibbulmun Noongar, Yamatji and Burmese singer and songwriter.
For more information and bookings: . https://tuggeranongarts.com/yuma-yarn-2026/.
Sheltering
Saturday 23 to Wednesday 27 May (various performances), Canberra Theatre
Beneath the constellation of Bangarra’s creative and cultural legacy, experience a program of three powerful works: Keeping Grounded, Brown Boys, and Sheoak, which honour Bangarra’s past while looking to the future.
An intergenerational thread connects this bold triple-bill, drawing deeply from First Nations perspectives, and offering a profound journey into the intricate bonds between people and place. Rooted in Indigenous knowledge, the concept of shelter is reimagined as a sacred, transformative space: a haven of protection, connection, and the sharing of stories across generations.
For more information and bookings, see: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/bangarra-sheltering-2026/.
National Sorry Day Gathering
Tuesday 26 May, 10am-1pm, Winnunga Nimmityjah, 63 Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah
Join Winnunga for National Sorry Day to honour Stolen Generation survivors and acknowledge the history of forcible removals and the ongoing impacts.
Unfortunately, this year’s event will not include a Bridge Walk due to construction on Commonwealth Bridge. However, there will be a BBQ lunch, refreshments, a Q&A session with survivors from Kinchela Boys Home, and entertainment throughout the day.
For more information, see: https://healingfoundation.org.au/news-events/events/winnunga-nimmityjah-national-sorry-day-gathering/.
Walk for Truth
Sunday May 24, Tuesday May 26 and Wednesday May 27 (location details below)
Walk for Truth 2026 is a national journey led by Travis Lovett. Everyone is invited to join Lovett, a Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, former Deputy Chair and Commissioner, Yoorrook Justice Commission and Executive Director of the Centre for Truth Telling and Dialogue, University of Melbourne, for this significant journey. The walk begins at Victorian Parliament House, where the first Walk for Truth (2025) concluded, and continues to Parliament House in Canberra, where participants will call for national truth-telling, healing and meaningful change.
There is also an open letter to the Prime Minister to sign – so please do sign to show your support! https://www.walkfortruth.com/pledge
The walk begins on Sunday 19 April and concludes in Canberra on Wednesday 27 May, during National Reconciliation Week. The Canberra sections include (check website for any updates):
- Day 36B: 24 May, 9am to 1pm – Spence Oval to Kaleen Shopping Centre, Georgina Cres.
- Day 36C: 24 May, 1.30pm to 5pm – Kaleen Shopping Centre to Netball ACT, Thurbon Rd, Lyneham
- Day 38A: 26 May, 7.30am to 10am – Netball ACT, Lyneham to Haig Park East
- Day 38B: 26 May, 2pm to 6pm – AIATSIS to Reconciliation Place
- Day 39: 27 May, 8.30am to 11am – Reconciliation Place to Parliament (Federation Mall)
For more information, including how to join the walk, see: https://www.walkfortruth.com/.
The Sapphires
Saturday 30 May – Sunday 7 June (various performances), The Playhouse
1969. The Vietnam War. Bombs are dropping and the world is exploding in protest. Back at the Tiki Club in St Kilda, four sisters from country Victoria – Gail, Kay, Cynthia and Julie – catch the eye of a big-city talent scout with their Supremes cover act. But for the MacCrae girls, the realisation of a lifelong dream to perform overseas isn’t quite what they had in mind…
Based on the incredible true story of writer Tony Briggs’ mother, The Sapphires chronicles how these fierce and fabulous Yorta Yorta women blazed a trail from their small town roots to the frontlines of Vietnam, belting out Motown hits for the American soldiers and breaking through barriers with every beat.
For more information and bookings, see: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/the-sapphires-2026/.
ACT Heritage Festival
The 43rd Canberra and Region Heritage Festival is runnung from 11 April to 10 May 2026, featuring more than 150 events across the region including guided walks, tours of iconic buildings, exhibitions, food experiences and more. Below are details of forthcoming events focussing on First Nations experiences, excluding those already sold out. For the full list of events, see: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage/heritage-festival.
Coolamons by the Water: A Weaving Gathering at Lake Ginninderra
Saturday 18 April, Sunday 19 April, Monday 20 April, 1pm, Lake Ginninderra
Bookings essential, cost applies: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage/heritage-festival/nested-content/event-details?eventId=2991582
Discover the Richness of Ngunnawal Language
Sunday 3 May, 10am – 12noon, Civic Library
Join members of the Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Aboriginal Corporation for a special community event to learn Ngunawal greetings and children’s songs. Enjoy this engaging workshop celebrating the richness of Ngunawal language and culture.
Free event but bookings essential: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage/heritage-festival/nested-content/event-details?eventId=2985052
Discover the Richness of Ngunawal Language: Children’s Session
Sunday 3 May, 1pm-2pm, Civic Library
Join the Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Aboriginal Corporation for a special children’s event where children aged 5-12 can learn Ngunawal greetings and children’s songs! Enjoy this engaging workshop celebrating the richness of Ngunawal language and culture.
Free event but bookings essential: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage/heritage-festival/nested-content/event-details?eventId=2985000
On Country Boat Tour with Richie Allan
Sunday 3 May, 9.30am, National Capital Authority, Commonwealth Place, Parkes
Join Ngunnawal man Richie Allan for a boat tour along Lake Burley Griffin. Richie will share how Ngunnawal people lived by shores of The Molonglo River. The Ngunnawal maintained Country enjoying a resource rich location. Richie will discuss important hunting and fishing locations as well as precise sites for the collection of ochre and stone tools.
Bookings essential, cost applies: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage/heritage-festival/nested-content/event-details?eventId=2991253
Exhibitions
Ngura Puḻka – Epic Country
To Sunday 23 August 2026, Level 1, Galleries 2-7, National Gallery of Australia
Ngura Puḻka – Epic Country is an artist-led project, showcasing major works by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, Coober Pedy and Tarntanya/Adelaide, in South Australia. These ambitious works depict Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa (Aṉangu law/cultural stories) that lies within.
An epic project both in scale and scope, the creation of large-scale paintings reinforces artists’ connection to Country. Through stories and distinctive designs, they continue to strengthen their cultural knowledge, and knowledge of their homelands. Individual artists and women’s and men’s collectives bring their Tjukurpa to life on canvas – sometimes through explosions of colour, sometimes in a muted palette.
5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain
To Sunday 26 April 2026, Level 1, Gallery 12, National Gallery of Australia
After the rain there are always new beginnings.
The 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial, After the Rain, features 10 large-scale, immersive and multi-disciplinary installations that celebrate inter-generational legacies and cultural warriors of the past, present and future.
The Triennial brings together commissioned work by established and emerging First Nations artists from across Australia, creating an important platform for art and ideas.
Each iteration of the Triennial is led by a First Nations curator with an original vision.
Artistic Director for the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial is Tony Albert, Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples, one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists.
Albert weaves together projects by Alair Pambegan, Aretha Brown, Blaklash, Dylan Mooney, Hermannsburg Potters, Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre and Vincent Namatjira, Jimmy John Thaiday, Naminapu Maymuru-White, Thea Anamara Perkins, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and Grace Kemarre Robinya, and Warraba Weatherall to tell stories through the universal language of visual art.
For more information, see: https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/fifth-national-indigenous-art-triennial/
Other First Nations exhibitions at the National Gallery
The National Gallery of Australia has an extensive collection from First Nations artists. In addition to the exhibitions mentioned above, other displays celebrating First Nations art and culture include:
Hermannsburg: The Hermannsburg School is an art movement pioneered by Western Arrarnta artist Albert Namatjira (1902–1959). This exhibition displays works by Namatjira, including painted spearthrowers, alongside watercolours by family members including sons Enos and Ewald Namatjira, son-in-law Benjamin Landara, and brother-in-law and ‘breakaway’ painter Otto Pareroultja. Ceramics by Judith Pungarta Inkamala, who grew up watching Namatjira paint, are displayed alongside pots by Carol Panangka Rontji, demonstrating the stylistic evolutions of the Hermannsburg School.
Featured works emphasise artists’ connections to Country and the diversity embedded within this landscape—from airy, tree-lined vistas to red, rocky escarpments and gorges. Finishes Sunday 23 August.
Ngura Puḻka – Epic Country: Ngura Puḻka – Epic Country is an artist-led project, showcasing major works by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, Coober Pedy and Tarntanya/Adelaide, in South Australia. These ambitious works depict Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa (Aṉangu law/cultural stories) that lies within. Opens 11 April, finishes Sunday 23 August.
ANTaR ACT acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which Canberra is situated, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We also acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.