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Quandamooka Festival 2015

What

The Quandamooka Festival celebrated culture, country and people through cultural tours, traditional song and dance, music art, exhibitions, workshops, film, food, storytelling, weaving, sand art, speakers and forums.

The Festival was managed by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), a registered Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) created under the Native Title Act 1993 to manage the recognised Native Title rights and interests of the Quandamooka people.Yulu-Burri-Ba-dancers-at-Kunjiel

When

July to September 2015

Where

The Quandamooka Festival took places in various locations in Quandamooka Country. Quandamooka Country comprises the waters and lands of and around Moorgumpin (Moreton Island), Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), the Southern Moreton Bay islands and South Stradbroke Island. It includes the mainland from the mouth of the Brisbane River, Wynnum, Chandler, Lytton, Belmont, Tingalpa, south to Cleveland, to the Logan River. Quandamooka Country crosses the boundaries of four Queensland local governments.

Quandamooka-Map

Key stats

  • Almost 50 events across 5 locations

  • 15,000 attendees and participants

  • Over 125 Queensland artists and artsworkers were engaged through the Festival including 80 Quandamooka  artists, arts workers and Elders

Arts Queensland contribution

$38,000 funded through the Backing Indigenous Arts Initiative

Outcomes

The Festival:

  • increased capacity of Quandamooka community to organise, plan, present at and deliver a festival

  • provided opportunities to pass on traditional knowledge, language, dance and song to young people

  • created a platform to share and celebrate Traditional culture with the broader community

  • left a minimal environmental footprint and also educated the community on environmental issues

  • brought Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations and corporations together with local government and industry

  • made a contribution to local economy attracting visitors in an off-peak tourism season

  • supported longer term activities including traditional dance workshops with children and young people

  • created a permanent exhibition of Quandamooka Cultural Heritage including artifacts and photos now located at the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation

Traditional-Smoking-Ceremony

Learnings and reflections

“To be here on country, walking around, feeling good, well, that’s what it’s all about”  - Uncle Bob Anderson, Quandamooka Elder, guest at Speakers forums

We’ve been talking about and waiting for over 20 years for this event.” - Aunty Donna Ruska, Quandamooka Elder

“The day was a great success and saw several tribal groups gather to celebrate our rich cultures with the wider community. There was great music and traditional dance as well as arts and crafts stalls. Overall it was an absolute pleasure to be part of the day. From what I witnessed the event had a great impact on the community and surrounds” - Fred Leone, Guruman Dancers.

“Tangalooma was excited to be part of the Welcome to the Whales ceremonies in 2015. The events provided an opportunity for Traditional Owners… to share a part of their cultural heritage with guests of the resort…These ceremonies and stories told have existed for eons…Their meanings and messages are perhaps even more important today as we work together to care for Country." - Penny Limbach, Director of Public Relations and Environment, Tangalooma Island Resort

Contact for further information

Email: projects@qyac.net.au

Phone: (07) 3415 2816

Website: http://www.qyac.net.au/

Links

The Quandamooka Festival: http://quandamookafestival.com.au/

 

All images courtesy of Nikki Michail, www.sustainabledreaming.org