ANTaR ACT Newsletter – February 2025

An early newsletter this month as there are events coming up soon that we wanted to let you know about, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Showcase at the Multicultural Festival this Saturday.

Email problems

We’ve had problems with our emails – if you have tried to contact us in the last couple weeks, it might not have got through. Our website host have advised they have found the problem and are putting through a fix. Apologies if we have missed anything – please resend any emails if you are waiting to hear from us. You can also contact us via Facebook, Instagram, our website or via a committee member directly.

Sovereignty Day

A number of ANTaR ACT committee members were among the 1,000 people who were at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy for the Sovereignty Day event (see this ABC report). Many speakers focussed on the next generation, the children who are the reason they are fighting for justice and who will be carrying the message into the future.

Also in Canberra on 26 January, there was a great gig at Smith’s Alternative – Ray Dimakarri Dixon and his nephew Stuart Joel Nugget with the Standing Strong Band. They talked about the threats to country and water from fracking, agribusiness and climate change. You can find out more about the Lock the Gate campaign at https://www.lockthegate.org.au/.

In Sydney, the annual Yabun Festival celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Janet Hunt, a long time ANTaR ACT committee member, attended and wrote the report at the end of this newsletter.

ANTaR ACT Organising Group

The ANTaR ACT committee has continued the program of meetings with members of the new Legislative Assembly, meeting with Thomas Emerson, newly elected independent Member for Kurrajong. He has identified First Nations advancement as one of his ten priority areas for the next term. Issues discussed included land rights, incarceration, family support, community control and holding the government to account, in a situation where responsibilities are spread between Ministers.

The next meeting of the ANTaR ACT organising group will be at 6pm on Monday 10 February at the Snug Bar, King O’Malley’s, Civic. If you would like to join us and be involved in our ongoing advocacy and actions, please RSVP to: info@antaract.org.au.

Events coming up

Multicultural Festival: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Showcase

Saturday 8 February, 12.30-4pm and 7pm – 10.45pm, Ainslie Place Stage

The Canberra and District NAIDOC Corporation presents a stellar line-up of First Nations artists from Ngunnawal to the Torres Strait.

  • 12.30 Welcome & Official Proceedings
  • 1.00 Yukumbruk Dance Academy
  • 1.20 Mungu Keokape Dance Group from Saibai Island (Torres Strait Islands)
  • 2.00 Kristie Peters Fashion Parade
  • 2.30 Alinta Barlow-Keys
  • 3.10 Johnny Huckle
  • 3.40 Sistas in Song
  • Parade Break
  • 7.00 Frank Yamma
  • 8.15 Dale Huddleston and the Riverbank Band
  • 9.30 Stewart Barton Band

Also: Thelma Plum, South Glebe Stage, Sunday 9 February, 2pm-3pm
Thelma Plum is a Gamilaraay woman, musician and creator. Her debut album Better In Blak is a story about culture, heritage, love, and pain. With incredible strength, courage and heartbreaking tenderness, she captures so deftly what it’s like to be a young Aboriginal woman in Australia.

For more information about all the stalls and events at the Multicultural Festival, see: www.multiculturalfestival.com.au .

Gurindji Freedom BannersMumkurla-nginyi-ma parrngalinyparla – From the darkness into the light

Tuesday 11 Feb – Friday 28 March, 10.30am – 3pm [Reception – Wednesday 19 February, 5.30pm], ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, Cnr Liversidge St & Ellery Cres, Acton

The banners retell the story of the historic Wave Hill Walk-off in 1966. The 10 iconic banners on display tell the Gurindji account of the ‘walk-off’, which was led by Vincent Jurlama Lingiari AM with Gurindji, Ngarinyman, Mudburra, Bilinara and Walpiri workers from Wave Hill Station, located in the Victoria River District on the northern edge of the Tanami Desert. This strike was a response to the unfair working and living conditions for Aboriginal people under the station’s management, Vestey’s Group.  Aboriginal workers, at Old Wave Hill Station, were paid less than a quarter of the minimum wage and sometimes only received rations.

Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Art Corporation are custodians of the banners for the Gurindji people but have an agreement with Charles Darwin University Art Collection to care for the banners temporarily.

For more information: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/events/gurindji-freedom-banners-mumkurla-nginyi-ma-parrngalinyparla-darkness-light.

Anniversary of the National Apology to Stolen Generations and the Indigenous People of Australia

Thursday 13 February, 1-3pm, Weston Neighbourhood Hall, 6 Gritten St, Weston
This year, the 13th of February will mark 17 years since the Australian Government apologized to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations, whose lives are blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation. You can revisit this significant moment by clicking here

Join the Gulanga Program,Sisters in Spirit and the ACT Council of Social Service, as we reflect on the injustices and trauma experienced by stolen generations, past and present, through discriminative laws, policies and practices.

For more information and registration: https://actcoss.org.au/news-and-events/events-and-training/event/?reset=1&id=161. Note: registration is not required but is encouraged for catering purposes.

Adam Ford on First Nations Art: Appropriation, Reappropriation, and Reclamation

Friday 21 February, 12pm, Gallery 5, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Galleries (level 1)

Join Adam Ford, Nyoongar (Menang/Goreng), Associate Curator, First Nations Art, in Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia for a talk that considers how First Nations artists engage ideas of appropriation, reappropriation, and reclamation in contemporary First Nations art practices.

In this talk, Adam will focus on the work of leading First Nations artists including Richard Bell, Tony Albert, Daniel Boyd, Karla Dickens, d harding and Archie Moore.

Free, bookings essential. For more information and bookings: https://nga.gov.au/events/adam-ford-on-first-nations-art-appropriation-reappropriation-and-reclamation/.

Harvest Day Out – workshop and talk

Saturday 22 March, Lanyon Homestead

Harvest Day Out celebrates time-honoured traditions that have sustained and nourished our communities for generations. Enjoy live music, browse vibrant market stalls, and keep the whole family entertained with activities designed for all ages. For more information: https://www.historicplaces.com.au/events/harvest-day-out-2025.

Talk: Indigenous Plants Use and Traditional Tools, 11am – 12.30pm
Join Aaron Chatfield of Dreamtime Connections for an insightful talk on how Aboriginal people have used native plants for thousands of years—for food, medicine, and practical applications. Aaron will also share the fascinating process behind the construction of Aboriginal tools and how they were used.
For more information and bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/talk-indigenous-plants-use-and-traditional-tools-hdo-25.

Workshop: Cultural Weaving with Jessika Spencer, 1-3pm
Join Wiradjuri artist Jessika Spencer for a hands-on weaving workshop where you’ll create your very own woven basket to take home. Jessika will guide you through traditional weaving techniques, using contemporary fibres to craft something truly unique.
For more information and bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/workshop-cultural-weaving-hdo-25.

Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa

Exhibition: Saturday 22 February to Sunday 13 July, National Gallery of Australia

Kulata Tjuta is an ongoing cultural maintenance project that shares the skills of carving and making the punu kulata (wooden spear) across generations. Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa is the largest and most significant installation of the culturally important and visually spectacular Kulata Tjuta (Many Spears) Project. Like others in the series, it is rooted in age-old traditions, knowledge and skills that are designed around keeping Country and culture strong. The artistic outcomes take the form of large-scale, multi-disciplinary installations which incorporate film, sound, live performance and other artistic collaborations.

For more information, see: https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/kulata-tjuta-tirkilpa/.

Saltbush: A Unique Interactive Journey for Kids

Various performances, Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 March, The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre

Saltbush is an extraordinary interactive performance designed to captivate young audiences while offering parents a chance to witness something truly special. This one-of-a-kind experience invites children to play, explore, and perform as they embark on a journey through Australia’s diverse landscapes—river country, bustling cities, deserts, and the sea—guided by the story of two friends and their spiritual companion.

Rooted in the wisdom of Australia’s First Nations cultures, Saltbush celebrates the connection between people, the land, and its stories. Inspired by the saltbush plant—a symbol of unity among Indigenous nations—this production weaves together contemporary painting, dance, and music created by First Nations artists to bring the beauty and mythology of the Australian landscape to life.

For more information and bookings: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/saltbush-2025/.

Blak Laughs Matter: Choolburra, Blair, Ribbons, Harlem, Vann, Margosis

Saturday 15 March, 7.30pm, Street Theatre, Childers St, Civic

Come see some legendary Deadly comedians including Australia’s number one Indigenous entertainer Sean Choolburra. A comedian, actor, rap singer, dancer, storyteller and voice on the hit tv show Bluey, Sean is joined by Deadly Funny National winner Janty Blair and talented locals Cameron Ribbons, Patrick Vann, Zane Harlem and Jez Margosis.

For more information and bookings: https://canberracomedyfestival.com.au/event/blak-laughs-matter.

Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir

Thursday 20 March, 7.30pm, Llewellyn Hall, ANU

Hailing from the very heart of Australia, the 35-strong Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir is drawn together from seven remote communities of Australia’s vast central desert. Singing in English alongside Western Arrarnta and Pitjantjatjara – two living languages of the Northern Territory and South Australia – and led by Choir Master Morris Stuart, this extraordinary vocal ensemble first came to popular attention following ABC TV’s Australian Story, and the feature documentary, The Song Keepers.

For more information and bookings: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=CAUSCHOI25.

Smiths@ Belco: Emily Wurramara

Saturday 22 March, 1pm, The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank

Emily Wurramara is an esteemed and award-winning artist, who’s grew up between Meanjin (Brisbane) and NT. Emily’s music exquisitely delves into themes of self-acceptance and ancestral lullabies, drawing inspiration from her Indigenous heritage and life experiences. As a gifted storyteller, she effortlessly taps into ancient memories, provoking profound emotions within us all.

For more information and bookings: www.belcoarts.com.au/smiths-emily-wurramara/.

Yabun 2025

Report from Janet Hunt

A visit to the Yabun Festival, held in Sydney every Invasion Day, is a treat I had anticipated for a long time. When a book I had contributed to was to be launched there this year, it was time to go! And what a treat it was!

Yabun means ‘music with a beat’ in Gadigal language and the music was tremendous – with headline artists Troy Cassar-Daley, Electric Fields, and Barkaa! The band I loved was Larry Gurruwiwi and Malawaarr from Arnhemland, with that signature mix of modern and traditional sounds and great beats that bands from there excel in! Over 15 beautiful dance groups performed on the Corroboree ground. Many had children and young people dancing, which is exciting for the future of the stories and knowledge the dances embrace. 

The Speak Out Tent was busy with large audiences to hear Michael Anderson, the Eualeyai man who set up the Aboriginal Tent Embassy with three friends back in 1972, telling stories from his life. There were also activists like Yorta Yorta woman Monica Morgan and others talking about Country and much else, and the launch of LANDBACK, edited by Professor Heidi Norman, a Gomeroi woman. The book reflects on 40 years of Aboriginal Land Rights in NSW and the challenges and opportunities ahead. It is published by NewSouth Publishing if you would like a copy! You can find it here: https://newsouthbooks.com.au/books/land-back/.

Three photos - dancers in front of a crowd, singer playing guitar, group of musicians.

Photos: Janet Hunt

ANTaR ACT acknowledge 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.

 

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