Kindred People lands at Monash this September, turning the campus into five days of global First Nations arts and culture.
Running from 1 to 5 September on Boonwurrung Country, Kindred People is an Indigenous-led festival stacked with performances, talks, workshops and gatherings that keep First Nations perspectives at the centre.
It’s curated by Monash’s Head of First Nations Programming and Engagement, Gunditjmara man Tom Molyneux, and shaped by an Indigenous Steering Committee.
Kindred People
- 1 – 5 September
- Monash Performing Arts Centres, 49 Scenic Boulevard, Clayton
- djeembana yalinwa community day: 5 September
- Community market 1pm – 4pm
- Mainstage concert 4pm – 7pm
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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Two world premieres
The bill carries two world premieres. The Scarecrow and Waa comes from Narrm circus company Na Djinang Circus, building bold work around the stories and ideas of young First Nations people, while Decolonising the Bells sees Noongar composer and viola player Aaron Wyatt team up with Speak Percussion to reimagine Victoria’s Federation Handbells.
Australian Dance Theatre brings the Victorian premiere of Two Blood, created by writer S. Shakthidharan with co-choreographers Daniel Riley and Jasmin Sheppard, plus there’s a strong international thread: He Huia Kaimanawa from Bianca Hyslop and Rowan Pierce responds to the reclaiming of Māori language, and UPU gathers the words of Pasifika writers after a sold-out Sydney Opera House season in 2025.
kummargi yulendj gadhaba
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Sitting at the core of the program is kummargi yulendj gadhaba, a two-day speakers program across 3 and 4 September whose name translates as knowledge rising up together in Boonwurrung language. It pulls together artists, community leaders, knowledge holders and academics for keynotes, yarning sessions, workshops and performances.
There’s also a festival exclusive at The Count’s from blues elder Marlene Cummins, a proud Guguyelandji and Woppaburra woman, joined by Clayton Dooley on piano and hammond organ.
Everything wraps with djeembana yalinwa, a community day of music, food and family-friendly fun spread across the Forum Lawn, Chancellery Colonnade and Robert Blackwood Hall. A market of Indigenous-owned businesses is curated by Kinya Lerrk, the outdoor stage is programmed by Songlines Aboriginal Music, and Pawa Catering handles the food. From 1pm you’ll catch Dungala Baimi, Leo Whyman and Canisha, before a free 4pm concert headlined by the multi-award-winning Electric Fields, with Velvet Trip and Alice Skye.
For more information, head here.
