Join Senior Boonwurrung Elder and Kindred People Elder in Residence, Professor N’Arwee’t Carolyn Briggs in a Welcome to Country, followed by opening remarks from Shelley Ware.

In 2025, the first treaty between the Australian government and the First People of this country was signed, in Victoria.

This discussion brings together two eminent First Nations artists Aretha Brown (Gumbaynggir), whose work has recently featured in the National Indigenous Art Triennial as well as the Kindred People visual identity, and Lowell Hunter AKA Salty One (Nyul Nyul), a multi award-winning artist who creates sand art and uses drone photography to capture the scale of his works within breathtaking landscapes, in a discussion about artistic practice and cultural expression.

In the contemporary milieu, Indigenous concepts and ways of thinking are an important plank of Indigenous identity. This presentation by Professor Georgina Stewart (Ngāpuhi-nui-tonu, Aoteaora) argues that Indigenous Philosophy is necessary as a result of the White Ignorance endemic in the disciplines of the academy.

Join members of the UPU company (Te moana-nui-a-Kiwa) for a poetry writing workshop inspired by the world of UPU.

Through poetry writing techniques, gentle prompts and Moana-centred philosophies, participants will be invited to connect with the storyteller within and develop their own poetic voice.

Featuring native ingredients, this thoughtful menu has been designed by Pawa Catering.

A candid reflection by Emma Holgate (Mandubarra) on building a sustainable creative career, exploring multidisciplinary practice, industry expectations, visibility, burnout and the realities of working across the contemporary arts sector.

Through performance, storytelling, and film, Sāsi, Pera, Lagi: Of Ocean, Land and Sky explores the reawakening of ancestral Rotuman and Oceanic arts and knowledge systems. Drawing on cultural research and community learning, this workshop, hosted by Letila Mitchell and Iane Atalifo (Rotuma, Fiji) reflects on how creative practice can strengthen connections to land, ocean, culture, and identity while nurturing the sustainability of living Pacific traditions.

Internationally renowned and Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide based company, Australian Dance Theatre invites participants to join the company for a workshop exploring ADT’s work Two Blood.

A conversation bringing together Indigenous scholars and knowledge holders from Monash University to discuss leadership, research, Indigenous knowledge systems and the role of universities in contemporary society.

Speakers include Associate Professor Bhiamie Williams, Dr Jacinta Walsh and Dr Desiree Hernandez Ibinarriaga.

Master craftsperson Sione Liafail Maileseni shares traditional Tongan craftsmanship of coconut fiber weaving, the influence of time in traditional craftsmanship, and collective responsibilities through demonstration, storytelling and talanoa.

Wayfinding, or Polynesian navigational techniques includes star navigation, reading clouds and sea states, observing the flight paths of birds, and many other subtle observations in real time to navigate on ocean voyages.

Featuring native ingredients, this thoughtful menu has been designed by Pawa Catering.

He Huia Kaimanawa in Alexander Theatre

Associate Professor Dr Vicki Couzens is a Keerray Woorroong/Gunditjmara citizen whose four and a half-decade career weaves together community actionism, culture and language revitalisation, creative cultural expression and academic leadership.

An interactive weaving and yarning workshop by Rachel Shields (Wailwan and Gamilaraay) that actions relationality, bringing awareness to our embodiment of connection to our Ancestry and ourselves and extends into our relationality.

Drawing on experience in health education, Donna Quinn examines how Indigenous cultural values can shape more effective, respectful and culturally responsive training for future health professionals.

Led by Maylene Slater-Burns (Kamilaroi, Kuku Djungan) and Irihipeti Waretini (Ngāti Rangi, Aoteaora), this session weaves spoken word, song, story and guided reflection to explore how Indigenous knowledge systems live within art, the body, the land and our relationships — and how these knowledges can become dormant when Spirit is disconnected from place, pace and practice.

Featuring native ingredients, this thoughtful menu has been designed by Pawa Catering.

Join Daniel Riley (Wiradjuri) from Australian Dance Theatre and Bianca Hyslop (Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue) from Atamira Dance Company / Hyslop & Pierce, for a conversation exploring the role of Indigenous-led dance in shaping cultural change.

Hosted by Emele Ugavule (Fiji, Tokelau, Uvea), this is an intimate, participatory workshop exploring a creative methodology which centres Indigenous Oceanic understandings of time, memory, and storytelling. Participants will develop an understanding of Time Design as a creative framework, explore non-linear and Indigenous approaches to time, and more.

Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Pāti Āpōpō. Lisa and Kahlil Grocott (Ngāti Kahungunu) will host Te Pāti Āpōpō (The Tomorrow Party), a 2 hour gathering in which participants time travel together.

A screening of the acclaimed documentary Black Panther Woman, followed by a conversation with Marlene Cummins exploring activism, family history, truth-telling and resilience.

Seven siblings were Stolen in 1960, separated across New South Wales, each tracing their own rivers from which their descendants continued to tread. Members of that family, Uncle Kevin “Sooty” Welsh, Dr Blayne Welsh and Rachel Shields, sit together in Truth-telling about the lived experience of the ongoing journeys towards intergenerational healing.

Composer and musician Brenda Gifford (Yuin) explores music as a form of custodianship, examining how sound, story and Country intersect within Indigenous creative practice.

How can Indigenous knowledge reshape environmental leadership? Join Narungga and Kaurna artist Jacob Boehme and Aunty Lynette Newchurch as he shares the international journey of Guuranda X, exploring how First Nations cultural practice, environmental responsibility and reciprocal exchange with communities in India and Scotland offer new approaches to climate action through creativity, Country and collaboration.

A closing conversation between respected Elders N’Arwee’t Carolyn Briggs AM (Boonwurrung), Tūī Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield (Ngāti Ohomairangi) and Uncle Ricky Baldwin (Gunai Kurnai) reflecting on Country, culture, leadership and the responsibilities of carrying knowledge into the future.

Featuring native ingredients, this thoughtful menu has been designed by Pawa Catering.

UPU at Robert Blackwood Hall