STAND WITH US
In light of the recent disrespect shown to Uncle Mark, Aunty Joy, and our Djirri Djirri whānau, we’ve been invited by our sister Stace NichoPiper to join a powerful space of cultural truth-telling and healing — Banj ba Walert — this Saturday at Fed Square.
Fittingly, this was also the very first place TMATZ (NMP & T’Honi) performed with the Djirri's as a collective.
After the formalities of the event, we’ve been gifted time and space to share our "really big feelings".
We’ll stand alongside Aunty Joy, Uncle Mark, and the Djirri's — not just in response to the current debate on Welcome to Country, but in wairua, in grief of those that have recently passed, and in deep respect for the First Voices of this land.
We will share our statement about what happened, what we hope comes next, and we will sing and haka (Ka Mate) — to show our support, and to release the deep hurt felt by our kaihaka and the whānau they represent.
This is a call to our all communities that believe in the absolute and undisturbed right of Aboriginal people to decide what is culturally appropriate on their own lands, please join us.
All allies in attendance are warmly welcomed to stand with us, and are invited to join in haka and waiata as we express our aroha and support.
We also want to be really clear — we’re not here to pull focus from the beautiful Banj ba Walert event or the incredible work of YIRRAMBOI Festival. We’re here because we have been invited into this space on the very values of the event and festival, and we will hold it with respect, mana and care — walking alongside this kaupapa, not over it.
Banj ba Walert honours the incredible legacy of Aunty Vicki Nicholson-Brown — a cultural warrior, senior knowledge holder, and protector of Country who has dedicated her life to the work of truth-telling and preservation. The short film Banj ba Walert, co-directed by Stace NichoPiper and Genevieve Grieves, tells her story through film and sound — featuring possum skin drums made by Aunty Vicki and Stace, and a powerful soundscape by Ripley Kavara with vocals by Stace herself. This is a moment to celebrate the strength of matriarchs and the depth of cultural knowledge that continues to guide us all.
🗓️ Saturday 3rd May
🕔 5.15pm
📍 The Edge + Main Stage, Fed Square
Full YIRRAMBOI Program:
https://yirramboi.com.au/program
#yirramboi #banjbawalert #possumdrums #auntyvicki #djirridjirri #maoriandaboriginal #welcomeisright #healingthroughculture #standwithfirstnations
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