Kids join the conversation on Indigenous culture in Cairns

Far North Queensland is home to around a quarter of Queensland’s Indigenous population. Every August, Indigenous musicians, artists and dancers from Cairns and the region’s remote communities unite to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures at the Big Talk One Fire Indigenous Cultural Festival in Cairns. 

Held in partnership with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, a Queensland Government initiative, Big Talk One Fire features traditional and contemporary performances, Indigenous markets and a group art exhibition.

Big Talk One Fire is the signature event of UMI Arts, Far North Queensland’s peak Indigenous arts and cultural organisation. Janet Parfenovics, Executive Officer at UMI Arts, says the festival aims to build understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase regional culture and build a mainstream audience,” she says. 

A new project inspires cultural pride 

In 2010, UMI Arts developed Small Brother Small Sister, a trial project included in the Big Talk One Fire festival. The project was supported by the Australian Government’s Festivals Australia program, which funds cultural activity at regional and community festivals.

Over two months, two Indigenous arts workers helped Indigenous children from eight Cairns schools develop dance and music performances that captured what their culture meant to them.

“Small Brother Small Sister aimed to build respect and understanding between generations, and to reinforce the idea that being different is something to be proud of,” says Janet.

The students, aged six to 16, performed to a rapt audience during the 2010 Big Talk One Fire festival.

“The kids had a ball and were thrilled they could showcase their culture with pride to their classmates,” says Janet.

“It was clear from audience and exit surveys that the Small Brother Small Sister project had enormous potential. People likened it to an Indigenous eisteddfod.”

Festivals Australia program helps students connect with culture

The Festivals Australia funding allowed UMI Arts to contract the arts workers and provide students with props and costumes. UMI Arts also used funds to produce a documentary on the project.

Small Brother Small Sister will continue to play a part in the Big Talk One Fire festival and has grown to include students from remote communities.

To help the project develop, Festivals Australia agreed to provide funding again in 2011.

“We’re delighted Festivals Australia is continuing to support the project,” says Janet. “Small Brother Small Sister has so much potential, and we’re now looking to make it financially self-sustainable.”

If you would like a free copy of the Small Brother Small Sister documentary, contact UMI Arts (while stocks last).

About Festivals Australia

The Australian Government’s Festivals Australia program provides funding to regional and community festivals to help them develop and present quality cultural projects. Eligible organisations include local governments and councils, cultural organisations and regional arts councils that manage festivals.