YIRRAMBOI Expands Globally, Welcomes Northern Turtle Island (Canada) as its 2025 Focus Nation
In anticipation of their most ambitious festival to date, YIRRAMBOI has announced a groundbreaking global program deepening international First Nations connections and promoting cross-cultural dialogue. For the 2025 festival, taking place from May 1 to 11 in the heart of Narrm, Northern Turtle Island (Canada) has been invited as the Focus Nation, marking a significant step toward global cultural unity and collaboration.
YIRRAMBOI - Narrm/Melbourne’s premier First Nations festival platforms the interconnectedness and diversity of First Nations creatives. Deeply rooted locally, traversing nationally and internationally, YIRRAMBOI creates space for expressions of culture, identity, unity and truth through evolutionary and experimental practices.
In 2025, YIRRAMBOI will host one of the world’s most significant cross-cultural gatherings, bringing together Australia and Canada in a powerful celebration of shared histories, diversity and the enduring solidarity of their First Nations communities. This landmark moment will feature the world premiere of two major new commissions and showcase the talents of over 20 Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists, curated throughout every aspect of the festival program.
As First Nations Peoples, we have long valued and understood the power of trade and exchange – practices that have shaped our cultures for thousands of years,’ says Sherene Stewart, a Taungurung/Filipino woman and YIRRAMBOI Co-Lead/Creative Lead. ‘Whilst we may come from different corners of the world, our fight to thrive is shared. It is in our unity that we will create the transformative change our future generations deserve.’
‘Since the inaugural 2017 festival, YIRRAMBOI has proudly presented Australian premieres of Canadian First Nations works, creating powerful cross-cultural exchanges that traverse borders and amplify artistic dialogue. These collaborations have strengthened our cultural ties and fostered meaningful connections that continue to grow in anticipation of the 2025 celebration.’
Providing a global platform for First Nations artists and honouring the deep connection between Global First Nations peoples, YIRRAMBOI’s International Commissions program has invested in the creation of new intercultural collaborative works by Australian and Canadian First Nations artists that will world premiere at the 2025 Festival.
A major honour for the Festival and an Australian exclusive, is the return to the stage of internationally acclaimed Cree-Saulteaux Métis artist, multi-disciplinary performer and writer, Margo Kane. Renowned for her trailblazing contributions to Indigenous performance, Kane's powerful new work is an evolution of her storied legacy, which includes acclaimed pieces such as Reflections in the Medicine Wheel, Moonlodge, and Confessions of an Indian Cowboy. Presented in collaboration with Arts Centre Melbourne, this evocative production invites audiences to embark on a journey of deep reflection and transformation.
Also premiering at YIRRAMBOI 2025, We are the land we walk upon is a powerful new work from renowned and globally celebrated artists Adrian Stimson (Siksika), Frances Belle Parker (Yaegl), and Tess Allas (Wiradjuri), co-presented by the Immigration Museum (Museums Victoria).
Our two countries share many things - one being colonial brutalities and our historical resistances to these acts. We are the land we walk upon explores our sense of belonging to these histories and the lands in which our ancestors campaigned for and also walked upon’, said the artists.
This captivating film installation traces the shared journey of walking upon each other's lands, weaving together stories, traditions, and the deep connection to the earth. Through their unique artistic visions, they explore the interwoven histories and contemporary struggles of Indigenous peoples, creating a powerful dialogue that transcends borders.
Grounded in the legacy and deep connections of Tri Nations relationships and the broader Global First Nations creative networks, YIRRAMBOI champions creative and cultural exchange, experimentation, and First Nations ways of working. They remain committed to expanding the possibilities for artistic showcases, creating space for emerging voices, and cementing the future of international collaboration through nurturing the production and presentation of new works.
‘Decades of creative connections by Indigenous visionaries have cultivated extraordinary exchanges,’ says Denise Bolduc, an Anishinaabe woman and Senior Curator, International. ‘The trails blazed and the deep roots planted continue to inspire relations between our lands. The international collaborations between Australia and Turtle Island respectfully continues this legacy of amplifying our sovereign voices and strengthening our collective fires by honouring the past, uplifting the present, and igniting the future.’
YIRRAMBOI International Collaborative Commissions have been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, City of Melbourne, and Australia Film Television and Radio School. Presented with the support of the Government of Canada.
About Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts contributes to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene and supports its presence across Canada and around the world. The Council is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes, and payments support Canadian artists, authors, and arts groups and organizations. This support allows them to pursue artistic expression, create works of art, and promote and disseminate the arts and literature. Through its arts funding, communications, research, and promotion activities, the Council fosters ever-growing engagement of Canadians and international audiences in the arts. The Council’s Public Lending Right (PLR) program makes annual payments to creators whose works are held in Canadian public libraries. The Council’s Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts through exhibition and outreach activities. The Council is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a future of peace, reconciliation, equity, and sustainable development.