Published Friday, 06 June, 2008 at 06:34 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Be inspired at The Dreaming Indigenous Festival
Arts Minister Rod Welford today (Friday 6 June) welcomed The Dreaming International Indigenous Festival to Woodford, marking the start of the four-day celebration of Indigenous culture.
Mr Welford said the Bligh Government was pleased to support the unique festival, now in its fourth year.
“This event gives Indigenous artists and presenters from across the globe the opportunity to demonstrate their incredible contribution to Australia’s cultural identity,” Mr Welford said.
“This unique event allows audiences to take part in a celebration of cultural exchange, knowledge empowerment and friendship with one of the oldest living peoples in the world.
“I would like to congratulate artistic director Rhoda Roberts for producing an inspiring and uplifting program of events and activities to encourage true cultural engagement.
“The event takes place in a historic year for Australia’s Indigenous people, following the apology to the stolen generation in Federal Parliament in February.”
Mr Welford said the festival, from 6-9 June, was presented by the Queensland Folk Federation.
“The Dreaming will feature performances by renowned artists Jimmy Little, Banawarun, Gurumul, and Casey Donovan,” he said.
“Speakers include Gail Mabo, daughter of the late Eddie Koiki Mabo and director of Koiki; and Tara June Winch, winner of the 2004 David Unaipon Award for Indigenous Writers and the 2006 Victorian Premiers Literary Award for Indigenous Literature.”
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr encouraged Queenslanders to join the festivities and celebrate the state’s rich cultural heritage.
“The Dreaming Festival’s program is a really diverse showcase of performances, speakers, exhibitions and much more,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“It’s an opportunity to become immersed in the arts and to learn about cultural traditions.”
The Queensland Government has invested $300,000 in The Dreaming, including a $100,000 contribution from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, $100,000 from the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, $75,000 from the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA), and $25,000 from the Department of Communities.
Mr Welford said of his department’s total contribution, $25,000 was from the Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) initiative.
“Backing Indigenous Arts is an initiative to build a sustainable Indigenous arts industry in Far North Queensland,” he said.
“The funding has allowed Far North Queensland dancers and artists to travel to Woodford to perform, weave and share traditional stories and spiritual knowledge with festival-goers.”
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336
Mr Welford said the Bligh Government was pleased to support the unique festival, now in its fourth year.
“This event gives Indigenous artists and presenters from across the globe the opportunity to demonstrate their incredible contribution to Australia’s cultural identity,” Mr Welford said.
“This unique event allows audiences to take part in a celebration of cultural exchange, knowledge empowerment and friendship with one of the oldest living peoples in the world.
“I would like to congratulate artistic director Rhoda Roberts for producing an inspiring and uplifting program of events and activities to encourage true cultural engagement.
“The event takes place in a historic year for Australia’s Indigenous people, following the apology to the stolen generation in Federal Parliament in February.”
Mr Welford said the festival, from 6-9 June, was presented by the Queensland Folk Federation.
“The Dreaming will feature performances by renowned artists Jimmy Little, Banawarun, Gurumul, and Casey Donovan,” he said.
“Speakers include Gail Mabo, daughter of the late Eddie Koiki Mabo and director of Koiki; and Tara June Winch, winner of the 2004 David Unaipon Award for Indigenous Writers and the 2006 Victorian Premiers Literary Award for Indigenous Literature.”
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr encouraged Queenslanders to join the festivities and celebrate the state’s rich cultural heritage.
“The Dreaming Festival’s program is a really diverse showcase of performances, speakers, exhibitions and much more,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“It’s an opportunity to become immersed in the arts and to learn about cultural traditions.”
The Queensland Government has invested $300,000 in The Dreaming, including a $100,000 contribution from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, $100,000 from the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, $75,000 from the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA), and $25,000 from the Department of Communities.
Mr Welford said of his department’s total contribution, $25,000 was from the Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) initiative.
“Backing Indigenous Arts is an initiative to build a sustainable Indigenous arts industry in Far North Queensland,” he said.
“The funding has allowed Far North Queensland dancers and artists to travel to Woodford to perform, weave and share traditional stories and spiritual knowledge with festival-goers.”
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336