We’ve had a very busy time through Sorry Day and then Reconciliation Week, which started on the anniversary of the successful 1967 referendum (27 May) and ended the with anniversary of the High Court Mabo decision (3 June). Now the focus is on NAIDOC Week, with the theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. This newsletter features the many events happening around Canberra.
Website down: After getting through the issues affecting our emails earlier this year, our website hosting organisation had a major service disruption on the weekend of Reconciliation Day, and we are still working on recovering our website. Hopefully we will have it back soon, although may have lost some of the materials from the last couple of years. At least the emails are still working.
ANTaR ACT Organising Group
The next meeting of the ANTaR ACT organising group will be at 6pm on Monday 14 July, on Zoom, as we will meet online over winter. If you would like to join us and be involved in our ongoing advocacy and actions, please RSVP to: info@antaract.org.au.
Sorry Day
ANTaR ACT members volunteered at the Sorry Day event on Friday 23 May. The steady rain was welcome after an extended dry period, although it meant that the walk over the bridge did not go ahead. Instead, we heard speakers, including Julie Tongs OAM, CEO of Winnunga, talk about what Sorry Day meant, then enjoyed sharing music and food. Here are Janet, Leo and Murray at work preparing lunch.
Reconciliation Day
The rain held off on Reconciliation Day, 2 June, with thousands of people gathering to enjoy First Nations music and culture. We enjoyed many conversations at our stall, and many people stopped to read the story boards.
Events coming up
True: Kevin Gilbert 1933 – 1993
Opening Friday 13 June, 6pm, exhibition open to 9 August, Tuggeranong Arts Centre
An exhibition of prints and poetry by Kevin Gilbert, that recalls the artist, the writer and the activist, beginning in what would have been his 92nd year. Celebrate his life and art with images and poetry created during his lifetime along with some works editioned for the first time.
The public program includes a poetry reading on Saturday 5 July and a screening of Ellie Gilbert’s documentary recalling Kevin’s life and legacy on Thursday 10 July.
For more information (free exhibition): https://tuggeranongarts.com/true-kevin-gilbert-1933-1993-13-jun-9-aug/.
Rechelle Turner & Megan Daley | From Country exhibition
Opening Friday 13 June, 6pm, exhibition open to 9 August, Tuggeranong Arts Centre
A collaborative art exhibition by Megan Daley (Ngunnawal/Wiradjuri) and Rechelle Turner (Wiradjuri) that delves into their deep-rooted connection to Country and the timeless stories it holds. The exhibition is a continuation of their artistic partnership and the vision behind their emerging fashion label, Corella & Crow, which celebrates the resilience and beauty of Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri cultures. Through textiles, storytelling, and visual art, From Country invites audiences to experience the layers of heritage, identity, and belonging that inspire Megan and Rechelle’s creative journey, honouring the landscapes, wisdom, and spirit of country that shape and sustain their work.
For more information (free exhibition): https://tuggeranongarts.com/rechelle-turner-megan-daley-from-country-13-jun-9-aug/.
Friday Art Talks: Tina Baum on Indigenising Museum Practices
Friday 20 June, 12-1pm, National Gallery of Australia (Gallery 2, level 1)
Join Tina Baum, Senior Curator, First Nations Art, Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples, for a talk focused on Indigenising museum practices. Using the exhibition Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia as a case study, Tina will speak about how she is working to embed First Nations language and culture into all aspects of museum practice.
For more information about the talk (free, no bookings required but capacity is limited), see: https://nga.gov.au/events/tina-baum-on-indigenising-museum-practices/.
Resilience, Reflection, and Renewal Art Exhibition by Sarah Richards
Opening event: Saturday 28 June, 2-4pm, exhibition open to 19 July, The Fever Ward Gallery, Rusten House Art Centre, 87 Collett St, Queanbeyan
Inspired by the cycles of life and the wisdom they reveal, this collection by proud Ngiyampaa woman and award-winning artist Sarah Richards invites you into a journey of resilience, reflection, and renewal. Each painting captures a moment in time—sometimes vast and open, other times deep and uncertain. Through shifting colours, layered textures, and symbolic pathways, Sarah’s work explores the balance between holding on and letting go, and stepping forward with courage. Every mark, every step, and every transition tells a story, honouring both where we’ve been and what lies ahead.
For more information and to RSVP: www.facebook.com/events/s/resilience-reflection-and-rene/774073221622081/.
ACT NAIDOC Ball
Saturday 5 July, 6-11pm, National Convention Centre
Celebrate 2025 NAIDOC Week – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. This is an 18+ event, including 3 course alternative menu, tea and coffee. Limited drinks package and cash bar available. Indicate dietary requirements when purchasing ticket.
For more information and tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/act-naidoc-ball-2025.
Ngunawal Language Workshop
Sunday 6 July, 10am-12noon, venue to be announced
Through his company Thunderstone, Ngunawal Traditional Custodian Tyronne Bell runs workshops so Canberrans can learn about Ngunawal language and country. The full list of upcoming public workshops and tours is available at: https://www.thunderstone.net.au/book-online.
At the language workshop, learn an Acknowledgement of Country in Ngunawal language – the language of the traditional inhabitants of the ACT and surrounds. At the end of the session we hope you will feel confident to deliver the Acknowledgement of Country in Ngunawal language on Ngunawal Country.
For more information and bookings: www.thunderstone.net.au/service-page/language-workshop-2-6-july-10am-12pm.
First Nations Experiences of Democracy Tour
Daily, Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 3 June, 11am-12noon, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
On this tour you will hear stories of how First Nations Australians have created change. Learn about the Wiradjuri elders who travelled 150km to attend the opening of Old Parliament House. Hear about the activists who campaigned for a voice in Federal Parliament and the accomplishments of Neville Bonner, the first Aboriginal Australian to be elected to parliament. Visit heritage spaces including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Senate Chamber and learn about the contributions of activists like Wenten Rubuntja, Charlie Perkins and Faith Bandler.
For more information (free, bookings required): www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/naidoc-week-events/first-nations-experience-democracy-0 and First Nations Experiences of Democracy Tour – moadoph.ticketing.
‘Yeribee’ Indigenous experiences of Parliament House
Tuesdays and Saturdays, 12noon-12.45pm, Parliament House
Hear the stories of our Indigenous parliamentarians and experience artworks from the Parliament House Art Collection by celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The tour will look at The Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, the Yirrkala bark petitions and pieces from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the Parliament House Art Collections. For more information (free, bookings essential): www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Whats_On/Tour/Yeribee_Indigenous_experiences_of_Parliament_House
The Next Generation NAIDOC event
Thursday 10 July, 10am – 4pm, Boomanulla Oval, Narrabundah
In celebration of NAIDOC Week 2025, with its theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy”, the Message Stick Foundation is proud to announce its inaugural event for First Nations youth on Ngunnawal (ACT) Country.
The event will provide a powerful platform for First Nations mob to come together to connect and share. More details to come.
For more information, see: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/for-youth-by-youth-the-next-ge/1875186939883442/.
Big Name, No Blankets
Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 July, 7.30pm, Canberra Theatre
Big Name, No Blankets celebrates the phenomenal journey and impact of Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher, one of the founding members of Australian music icons Warumpi Band in an epic rock ‘n’ roll theatre show. Named after Warumpi Band’s debut album, Big Name, No Blankets is a theatre show featuring Warumpi hits, showcasing Luritja and Gumatj (Yolngu Matha) languages and culture.
For more information and bookings: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/big-name-no-blankets-2025/.
NAIDOC in the North 10th Anniversary celebrations
Saturday 12 July, 11am – 2pm, Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen
NAIDOC in the North is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture through story, song, art dance and ceremony. It is held at Belco Arts, on the lands of the Ngunnawal People, and welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to learn from our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community through workshops, performances, activities and entertainment.
ANTaR ACT will have a stall on the day, with information about our activities, books from First Nations authors, and other merchandise. Please come and say hello!
For more information, see: https://www.belcoarts.com.au/naidoc-2025-callout/.
Maring Ngala Walk
Saturday 12 July, 10.30am – 12pm, Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa
Join Ngunawal custodian Wally Bell on a walk at Lanyon Homestead to learn about Aboriginal connection to the area and the Murrumbidgee River. Discover the significance of the Canoe Tree to the Ngunnawal people and what its presence here tells us of the strong community that lived within the cultural landscape. This is a NAIDOC Week event.
For more information and bookings, see: https://events.humanitix.com/walk-maring-ngala-walk-naidoc-week.
Illume – Bangarra Dance Theatre
Friday 25 July, 7.30pm, Saturday 26 July, 1.30pm and 7.30pm 2025, Canberra Theatre Centre
From Mirning Artistic Director Frances Rings and Goolarrgon Bard Visual Artist Darrell Sibosado comes Illume, an iridescent new theatrical experience, drawing together music, visual arts and dance to explore the ways light has captivated and sustained Indigenous cultural existence for millennia.
Frances’s and Darrell’s collaboration explores the awe of light, a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. It charts the impacts of light pollution in a climate emergency. Illume asks the urgent question: is the deep wisdom passed down from elders enough to illuminate a path forward from the shadows of a dark future?
For more information and bookings, see: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/bangarra-illume-2025/ .
Marrow
Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August, 8pm, The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
Set on a shared ground where politics and identity are not our totality, Marrow is a muscular dance work that sees Australian Dance Theatre’s incredible ensemble tangle with layers of smoke and light to disassemble our dominant cultural narratives and reveal the truth of our past.
Created by Daniel Riley in collaboration with ADT’s Company Artists, senior Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner AM, composer James Howard (SAVAGE), Matthew Adey (THE HUM) and Ailsa Patterson (Tracker), Marrow sees the company delve deeper into the falsehoods and alienation at the core of our shared history.
For more information and bookings, see: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/marrow-2025/.
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.