Darwin’s only festival ran by First Nations’ people kicks off this weekend
A packed schedule of music, comedy and educational panel kicks off this weekend at Garrmalang Festival in Darwin’s CBD. SEE WHAT’S ON
Indigenous Affairs
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AN “ACTION-packed” weekend celebrating First Nations Australians kicks off on Friday in the Darwin CBD.
Garrmalang Festival will officially open with a ceremony featuring contemporary and traditional dancers at the Darwin Entertainment Centre precinct on Friday night.
Events over the weekend include a mix of free and ticketed spectacles, from live music to comedy shows and informative panels speaking on Indigenous issues.
Among the line up with will be “the NT’s fastest rappers brotha-bois” J-MILLA and Yung Milla.
“This is the only festival held here in Darwin that is lead by First Nations people and I think that's really important,” festival creative director Wendy Ludwig said.
She said she was excited to provide a different experience for locals and visitors, and also a stage for up and coming artists.
“Every year its an opportunity for the creative team that works on the festival to identify performances, creative activities and topics for discussion that are slightly different,” she said
Tickets selling fast for Indigenous panels
Garrmalang Festival will begin this weekend and among the celebration of art and culture, acting Treaty Commissioner Tony McAvoy will appear alongside a panel of experts to provide an insight and update on First Nations initiatives.
The panel, titled Yidjana-ili lidji? (Are You Listening?) – Truth, Treaty, Voice, will take place at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on Saturday and Mr McAvoy hopes he will be able to help educate the community on the meaning of treaty beyond the Yothu Yindi song.
“Then there’s a learning process that has to happen for us all to engage as a nation in this new direction,” he said.
“How do we move from an ideological case of indigenous self determination to a practical one using agreements with government as the basis for that determination.
“I’m extremely happy to be able to share stage with the other panel members and hopefully we will get some broad coverage and just do our part in the overall community education.”
The future of a Territory Treaty hangs in the balance as parliament resumes today where the Acting Treaty Commissioner’s final report is expected to be tabled.
The report was compiled over three years by Mr McAvoy and provides details on how the NT government can establish a ‘Territory Wide Agreement’ by June 2025.
“I’ll be discussing the Treaty final report on Saturday,” he said.
“I’m hoping that the government gives some initial responses to the things that it will do to keep the process going which will give me plenty to talk about.”
The Garrmalang Festival was Darwin’s first ever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander multi-arts major festival and Mr McAvoy said the event continue to “shine a light on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture”.
“It’s one of the premier events throughout the year in which they get to showcase their culture and their achievements,” he said.
“The festival has such a strong and positive vibe about it and I’m glad to be involved.”
Mr McAvoy will be joined by Mick Gooda, Attorney-General of South Australia Kyam Maher, Amy Rust and Dr. Hannah McGlade.
Entry is free for Yidjana-ili lidji? (Are You Listening?) – Truth, Treaty, Voice but attendees must register for the 2pm panel.
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