Where ancient wisdom meets future worlds, Kindred People is a powerful new Indigenous-led festival weaving together global First Nations arts, culture and knowledge from 1 to 5 September 2026. Monash University’s campuses on Boonwurrung Country will be transformed into spaces of ceremony, creativity and connection.
Curated by Gunditjmara man Tom Molyneux and supported by an Indigenous Steering Committee, the festival brings together artists, Elders, Knowledge Holders and communities to share traditions, champion creative expression and imagine new futures.
Spanning five days, the program encompasses performances, talks, workshops and gatherings that foreground First Nations perspectives and cultural exchange.
At its centre is kummargi yulendj gadhaba, a dedicated two-day speakers program focused on dialogue and collective thinking. Meaning “knowledge rising up together” in Boonwurrung language, it creates space for First Nations voices to connect through conversation, reflection and exchange.
The performance program will feature two major world premieres from leading First Nations artists: The Scarecrow and Waa by Narrm-based Na Djinang Circus, a First Nations Circus company, creating bold work that is centred around the stories, ideas and opinions of young First Nations people, and Decolonising the Bells, a new experimental sound experience by Noongar composer and viola player Aaron Wyatt in collaboration with Speak Percussion that reimagines Victoria’s ‘Federation Handbells’. Two Blood 雙血, an interdisciplinary and intercultural work from Australian Dance Theatre, created by award-winning writer S. Shakthidharan, and co-choreographers Daniel Riley (Wiradjuri) and Jasmin Sheppard (Tagalaka), will also have its Victorian premiere at Kindred People.
Kindred People will also welcome exceptional international performances including He Huia Kaimanawa, Bianca Hyslop and Rowan Pierce’s highly acclaimed performance experience that responds to the resurfacing, reclaiming and honoring of Māori language. The work’s scale, intense choreography and striking visuals are sure to impress local audiences in its Australian premiere.
Fresh from a barnstorming Canadian tour, as well as a sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House in 2025, UPU will be performed in a Narrm/Melbourne premiere featuring the poetic works of Pasifika writers in a unique theatrical spectacle.
Monash University Museum of Art | MUMA presents Syncretic Wilds: Phasmahammer and Natasha Tontey, as part of Kindred People. Working across performance, film and installation, both artists draw on post-human and speculative approaches to rethink history and centre Indigenous storytelling across the Asia Pacific. This marks the first major presentation of Natasha Tontey’s work in Australia.
Learn more at kindredpeople.monash.edu
