Kinship 2021 - 2021 | By: Samara Gray - Report - Social Futures Community Hub
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2021 | By: Samara Gray Kinship 2021 Report
Kinship 2021
Kinship meaning community and the threads that unite us all,
Culture meaning the practices and world-views that have kept our people and country
whole and sustained beyond time
Connections meaning how Culture and Kinship in our present day community can be and
is connected responsibility, participation and connection to land, and people. .
Project Aim
The aim of the project is to host Kinship Markets 2021, a celebration of
Aboriginal art, dance, community & culture.
The Kinship Festival is a Celebration of Families Week – led and directed by
members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and
supporting services.
The Kinship Festival committee remains committed to realizing the Vision and
striving towards communicating to the community the meaning of Kinship and
the Aboriginal culture that encapsulates culture, belonging, responsibility,
participation and connection to land, and people.
History
Prior to 2015 this event was formally known as the ‘Belly to Big School’
Families Week event. An annual event funded through the YWCA NSW
Northern Rivers Murwillumbah Communities for Children Program; which
aimed to bring community together in celebration of the valuable contribution
that families bring to community, to connect them to community and services
that may support them through transitional periods in their lives.
In 2015 concept and coordination of the event was handed over to a group of
local Indigenous parents participating in the Kids Caring for Country Program
with the aim of re-shaping the event through an Indigenous worldview.
The Families Week Event still targets all families – but the key difference is
that Aboriginal people are in the driver’s seat – and using their cultural values
and practices to benefit the whole community.
The focus of the event is on meaningful participation. It brings together
Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal families to form stronger connections with each
other, local support services and with country.
Cultural practices such and traditional dance, song, language and weaving are
featured throughout the program. The idea is to take away separation between
the audience and the performer, and between the service providers and the
client (community). In our culture – there is no hierarchy – we are all equal.
1
2021 Scope Previous Kinship events have been extremely successful and coming off the back of one missed year due to the Covid- 19 situation we wanted to ensure the event was safe and well co-ordinated, whilst still providing the community with a much needed opportunity to reconnect. Over 3000 people attended Kinship 2021 – with many remarking that is was the best event yet – participants loved the positive messages of Kinship and family values the welcoming atmosphere, focus on children and the way that participants are invited to take part in culture to deepen their understanding of and connection to land, local services and people. The event was promoted via social media channels, emails, networking, interagency meetings and posters had been displayed throughout the community at a wide range of organizations – our 2021 flyer was designed by committee member Uncle Torry from Indigifusion Art . The committee worked extremely hard to keep thing within regulations and guidelines, QR codes were developed thanks to Angela at the Pottsville Neighborhood Centre, hand sanitizing stations with hand sanitzer donated from Social Futures and North Coast Area Health, and eco-friendly sanitizing spray and wipes donated by Ecoriginals. Cultural Covid-19 safety signs were made and displayed around the park, at entry points and near main stage, and workshop spaces. Stuart Elder and the Sound Tech students from Murwillumbah High School generously gave their time and expertise to coordinate our Main Stage sound system. Our Elders tent was generously donated by ACON and hosted by Keshava Inglis and the year 8 students from Sathya Sai College and our beautiful elders were cared for and waited on all day. The amazing Youth Space – a collaboration between Headspace, ETC, Solid Mob and ACON was an awesome addition and really well thought out to engage with youth – Thankyou again to ACON for donating the huge marquee to make this space youth friendly. Headspace took the lead in organizing youth transport and also the Kinship evaluation surveys. Transport NSW funded Elders, dance group, youth and vulnerable community members transport and this was organized by deadly uncle Dave Kapeen from Tweed, Byron Ballina Community Transport. The Free Community Lunch food station was managed by Grayson Needham and supported by our deadly Uncles Charlie Fay, Mal Fay, Kevin Byrnes and David Cochrane and the Stone and Wood volunteer team. Food was supplied by Macro Meats, Murwillumbah Coles and Bakers Delight. The Heart Of Love Foundation donated all vegetarian meals and provided a wonderful team of volunteers led by Angie Kavendan who provided amazing cooking and food service. Donna Needham supervised the Kinship Information tent, Deidre Currie and Alfie Summers were wonderful MC’s, Uncle Mark Cora and Mallee Currie coordinated the Corroboree grounds, Nathan Faulk coordinated the Aboriginal Artists market, Daniel Didge and Mykaela Saunders worked tirelessly as site crew, Uncle Magpie, Bronwyn Morris and Donna Marie coordinated the Sand Art site, Angela Maxwell and Kym Zeigler ensured smooth set up and pack down as our service provider stall marshalls and Mleeka Hart was our Volunteer COVID site marshall keeping the mob safe. Kinship Committee Our wonderful Kinship committee diligently met every fortnight then in the last month we met once a week till the event itself. We had a great variety of committee members including social workers, artists, business owners, Elders and members of the Aboriginal community. We had representation from the Northern Rivers Legal Service, Social Futures, ACON, Pottsville Beach Neighborhood Centre, Headspace, ETC, The Family Centre and of course the Murwillumbah Community Centre to name a few. Our meetings commenced with a twist, after the formalities we would read out words of encouragement in Bundjalung that we hand selected then were led into a short session of Bunyarabugalma (to make well, to make healthy), Indigenous yoga, breathing and mindfulness sessions. Every meeting was highly constructive with plenty of positive communication and outcomes. Our Kinship committee works tirelessly every year and this year was no exception even with the covid restrictions they rose to the challenge and made Kinship another huge success. Our committee members are: Lara Lei, Deidre Currie, Robyn Beezley, Samara Gray, Grayson Needham, Donna Needham, Angela Maxwell, Damien Becker, Rosalie Vallance, Ashleigh Naden, Kym Ziegler, Mykaela Saunders, Kylie Maunder, Eve To, Mallee Currie, Dave Kapeen, Nathan Faulk, Donna Maree King, Uncle Magpie, Kieron Anderson, Mleeka Hart, Paula LaBelle, Mark Cora, Leigh Lesley, Makara Jacky, Akimera Burkhardt, Leah Galvin, Eva Sanz, , Barry Cora, Aubrey Cora, John Hausia, Sahnnon Parr, Lotte Boer, Robyn Kay Stone.
Sand Artwork
A central part of the Kinship Festival is a large scale community art instillation in the form of a sand sculpture. The
artwork is designed by local Aboriginal Artist – Uncle Magpie Currie and carries a different story or theme for each
event.
This years sand artwork reflected the 2020 theme of “Protect The Rainforest” this was brought forward to the 2021 after
2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19. The artwork was created after the earth suffered many bushfires – and
thousands of hectares of rainforest were lost. The purpose of the Sand art Instillation is to allow participants a physical
connection to culture – by literally getting their hands in the earth and being a part of creating the artwork throughout
the day. Different colored pigments art collected from across Bundjalung Country and preschools, playgroups,
community groups, Elders groups and community groups from across the region painted seed pods in the lead –up to
this years event that were part of the artwork. Thankyou to Bronwyn Morris and Donna-Marie King who coordinated the
Sand Art project this year. The Closing Ceremony of the Festival is held around the Sand Art site – participants were
called to reflect on the theme by Uncle Mark Cora and to think deeply about human impacts on our natural environment
and how we can learn from Indigenous wisdom towards a more sustainable future.
3
Caring For Country
One of the key values of the festival is to create a connection to jugun (country/land) and to respect and care for the
environment. We ask that service providers and stallholders use natural and recyclable materials where possible and
keep the festival balloon and plastic free to protect our coast, our rivers and marine animals.
All childrens activities are nature based – for example clay, flower crown making, nature collages, weaving and
collaging. These activities not only keep children calm and grounded but also have minimal environmental impact.
Rainbow Dreaming face painting uses eco-friendly face paints and biodegradable glitters.
All utensils, food containers, cups and even our food handling gloves are 100%compostible which are ordered through
local company Greenpak in Billinudgel. Signs are placed throughout the festival and regular reminder for participants to
use the green bins to reduce landfill. Single use water bottles and plastics are not used at the festival.
Participants are asked to bring own water bottles and bio-cups provide at the water stations.
KINSHIP FESTIVAL VALUES WATER STATION
Ngali Garima Mala Jugun Kinship Volunteers will refill your bottle or cup.
Please keep your cup and when you no longer need place in
Care For & Respect Country
GREEN bin – fully compostable
ALL EATING IMPLEMENTS, CUPS AND FOOD CONTAINERS ARE
COMPOSTABLE - PLEASE PLACE IN GREEN BINS
This year Kinship was 100% Solar powered using a solar van that main stage was plugged into so that the events
carbon footprint was further reduced.
Local Eco Nappy company ECORIGINALS donated boxes of biodegradable Sanitizing wipes and off-grid manufactured
Antibacterial child-safe spray.
These wipes and spray bottles were distributed to all stallholders and kitchen area so that surfaces could be wiped
down and sanitized between each use.
We also choose kangaroo meat for our free BBQ lunch – as it is more sustainable and lower impact on the
environment.
COVID Compliance and Keeping Our Community Safe
The Kinship Committee created a COVID Safety plan that used our cultural ways of keeping community
safe. Our priority was to protect our vulnerable community members – particularly Elders. We understood
that the wider community may not realize that Aboriginal people are more at risk because of higher rates of
chronic disease and weakened immune systems due to stress so we took extra care to make sure the
festival site displayed lots of signage and that markings were sprayed on the ground for queuing (we used
animal tracks) and around the corroboree ground symbols were used to direct people to sit in family groups.
Food was pre-packed into bio-degradable closed lid containers and handed to festival attendees by
volunteers wearing gloves who were all taken through a COVID briefing by our Food Safety Supervisor.
Gloved volunteers staffed the Water station and refilled cups and bottles to avoid risk of touch-points.
Conditions of entry were displayed at entry points and on MCC's website (automatically navigates to COVID-
19 update page) and Facebook pages. We made large corflute signs that will be placed at entry points, at
toilets, next to pathways and site of significance - participants must scan and sign in with QR code, social
distance, sanitize hands, and that they are to not enter if unwell.
Cultural Performances: During Corroboree – attendees will be asked to sit on the seats and markers
provided – they will be placed 1.5m apart and dancers will only dance within the Corroboree circle with is
clearly marked and not accessible to the public.
During Live music – attendees must sit on the seats provided. Seats will be spaced 1.5 meters apart and
signage will ask general public not to step onto Corroboree ground to discourage dancing. We provided
limited seating and also used spray chalk to mark out symbols on the grass to indicate safe sitting distance
for family groups. We used cultural symbols that represent people sitting and have signage explaining why it
is important that people respect our seating guidelines. Regular announcements will be made over the PA
system reminding participants to adhere to the rules.
All stallholders were gifted hand santizer, antibacterial spray for items people may touch and antibacterial
wipes so that surfaces could be wiped between each use. Pottsville Beach Neighborhood Centre kindly
created 40 laminated COVID signs with QR code and compliance information which were handed out for
each stallholder to display.
5
Artists and Performers 121 local Aboriginal performers (91 dancers, 10 singer-songwriters, 15 musicians, 3 poets and facilitators, 2 MC’s) converged on the Kinship Main Stage and Corroboree grounds in a unique and engaging program of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal dance, poetry, rap, various genres of original music, group performances and workshops. Uplifting the audience and sharing deep connecting with land, oral tradition and responsibility to community and culture this incredible showcase of Bundjalung region talent was captured on film and continues to be shared on social media. In 2019 The ‘Kinship Collective” Youth Band was formed comprising of 14 young musicians – this group was supported to create original material that was performed at Kinship and created many opportunities for them, after Kinship they went on to play at Splendour in the Grass and Deadly Hearts at HOTA alongside Archie Roach and Jessica Mauboy.Budjarah Slabb is now on a National Tour of his debut EP as is Jacob Paulson (JK-47) who is the Triple J unearthed artist of the year. Kinship continues to provide a platform for emerging Aboriginal artists and especially young musicians and performers. An estimated 3000 people attended Kinship 2021 providing great connections and future opportunities for Artists, Stallholders, Service Providers and performers alike.
Sponsoring Organizations
Communities for Children, Transport NSW, Tweed Shire Council, NSW Government
Department of Education, The Ingrained Foundation, Stone and Wood, Murwillumbah
Community Centre, TAFE NSW Northern Region Aboriginal Education Team, Macro Meats,
Murwillumbah Coles, Bakers Delight, Wollumbin Dreaming, Eco Originals, Nortec, The
Family Centre, The Heart of Love Foundation, ACON, Pottsville Beach Neighborhood Centre.
Our Service Providers and Aboriginal Artist stallholders:
Murwillumbah Community Centre TAFE NSW
The Family Centre Social Futures
NR Childrens Services Mt Warning Preschool
Possums Preschool Rosellas Preschool
Charisma Henderson Scott Rotumah Aboriginal Art
Deidre Currie –Art and Crafts Magpie Currie Aboriginal Art
Bulla Yabru Nanang Kay Williams
Tania Marlowe Salt Water Women
NEL’s arts and crafts The Chai Tent
Oral Roberts Art Yalabin Dining Pty Ltd
Ancestors Gift Canoes Wollumbin Family Support Inc
Wollumbin Dreaming Aboriginal Art NR Community Legal
Health in Kind NORTEC
Pottsville Beach NC Northcott Early Childhood Intervention
Smart Power Savers CASPA Services Lismore
RiverTracks Inc Healing Hands
ACON Bullinah Solid Mob
ETC Aunty Nelly Patterson Aboriginal Art
Mark Cora Aboriginal Art Headspace
Alyce Togo Original Designs Shelly Lambert Aboriginal Crafts
Kelly Teirney Aboriginal Art Jugun Dandi Weavers
Take Pride Movement Aboriginal Clothing Jill Rok Designs
7
Target Attendees
Our target attendees are local families within the 2484 region, local service providers and Indigenous businesses.
Outcomes:
a) Connect families with each other and provide a fun atmosphere that supports healthy wellbeing
b) Share information between service providers and the local community
c) Hold fun and engaging activities/workshops for kids and adults
d) Share Indigenous wisdom and wellbeing practices
e) Create an entertaining, comfortable, healthy and inspiring atmosphere
f) Celebrate Culture
The following points were some of the main features of the festival
Smoking Ceremony
Corrobboree – Dance Groups from across the Bundjalung Nation sharing culture
Local Aboriginal singers/rappers/poets and musicians
Aboriginal Artisan Markets
Giant community sand sculpture artwork instillation
Children’s Activities
Free community bush tucker BBQ and vegetarian Lunch
Cultural workshops, Aboriginal Language, Dance, Local Stories
Youth Space
Elders Tent
Evaluations
100%
90% 9
80%
70% 20
4
60%
50%
40%
14
30%
20% 7
10%
0%
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Understanding of Aboriginal culture
increased?
yes no no answer
0 0 0
100% 5
90%
80%
16
70%
60%
27
50% 22
40%
30%
10
20%
10%
0%
Have you attended Kinship Do you live locally? Do you feel you were in a
previously? safe family environment?
Yes No No Answer
Sixteen people had their first Kinship experience which is very positive and encouraging, this indicates growth
and a genuine interest/curiosity in Kinship.
930
25
20
15
10
5
0
Did you participate in any activities? Did you connect with any services?
Yes No
Seventeen participated in activities, eleven did not, however some of the people who said no also stated they were happy
just to look around, look at the art and watch the dancing and other performances.
Only eleven people connected with the services, sixteen did not. It is important that we find out why so little engagement
with services given that they’re such a huge part of Kinship. Next year have the second part of the question reworded to
ask why they haven’t connected and if they have any suggestions.
100%
98%
96%
94%
92%
90%
88%
Are these types of events important Would you recommend the Kinship
for children and young people? experience to others?
Yes No
It is great to see an overwhelming amount of attendees (24 yes and the 3 no’s were actually ‘no answer’) understanding
the importance of our young people coming to Kinship and being connected.
Please ignore the stats on the graph that asks if people would recommend Kinship, the data wouldn’t transfer over
properly.
The correct stats are 25 said yes they would recommend Kinship to others, one person said no and the other was a no
answer.Service Provider Feedback
All services were sent a feedback form, we had received some great responses to share.
Lynn: Watching friends and family come together. Non- Angela: There are always too many highlights to
stop entertainment. Wide and diverse range of services recount – including every moment at the organizing
represented. Colour. How well coordinated the whole committee gatherings leading up to the event and
program was from parking and setting up, to COVID-19 experiencing the Kinship Festival coming together on
procedures in place and the layout was excellent this the day. At the event, feeling the exchange of love and
year., excitement when greeting artists and stallholders and
catching up with mob. I really loved seeing friends
performing – I am in awe of their energy and strength in
helping to organise such a huge event as well as
Cal: The music, dancing and performing on the day. So much culture and community
friendly atmosphere spirit highlighting connection to culture, kin, community
and the need to care for Country!
Jill: I didn’t get around to see
everything but I loved the set-up
Sam: I enjoyed the dancers, What were and that lunch was delivered to
and the gradual creation of me.
the mandala was interesting
to watch over the day. Plus,
I found a kookaburra
the highlights Kym: Seeing everyone enjoying
feather. themselves and hearing all the
for you?
positive feedback.
Paul: Yes. Loved Uncle Magpie’s
performance and the overall inclusive
nature of the day, especially the dancing. Rochelle: I really enjoyed chatting with
Music all day was outstanding. stallholders as they were coming into the park.
The music and the performances were a key
highlight, as well as seeing the sand art come to
life over the course of the day. The vegetarian
food option was also very good.
Belinda: So many highlights but this one stood out for me…Out the front of the PBNC stall we had an
incredible art installation, lovingly made by one of PBNC’s volunteers. While lots of people took photos
of this and it generated lots of conversation, my highlight was seeing one of the little jarjums come up to
the angel that had been painted with beautiful dark skin and golden flecks through her hair to look right
up close into the angel’s face.
11Kinship Markets Social Media
The Kinship facebook page has a great following and plenty of engagement and interactions.
Make sure you check it out and give the page a ‘like ‘ so you can see all our posts and keep up to date.
Louise Collins
Wow! This community gift has captured so many hearts. It is an absolute testimony to
the human spirit. The smiles, laughter, ritual, all so special. Thank you to everyone who
keeps going.x
Tammy Jones
Was a magic day. Absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. Wish they happened more often.
Rosealie Vallance
Wonderful photos that capture the magic of Kinship
Greg Vallance
Should be more kinship in the world.
Sharyn Logan
It was such a great day! Thanks so much - and thanks for the feed too! The kangaroo
snags were yum.
Haley Macklin
What a day it was! Feeling so blessed to live in a part of the where we we can all come
together and celebrate. Thankyou SO much to everyone who was involved with
organising the event, your community deeply appreciates you.
The food, stalls, yoga, performances (LOVED when we all got up and learnt a cultural
dance) and OKA were incredible as a finale, the dancing at the end topped off a fantastic
day!
RiverTracks
Thank you to all involved, it is such a moving display of a caring and connected
community.
Olivia May
Seriously the best community spirit festival
We are so lucky to have this in our region.
Amazing work and thank you to all involved.
Claire Hateley
Thank you for a great day, was feel good day,love it, better each year
Hey Jude Turnbull
It just gets better every year . Thank you so much to everyone who planned and organised the most amazing festival . Thank you thank you
!!!!
Turiya Bruce
Thank you Kinship Festival! This is the best festival on our region's soil! So much love and sharing present and many smiling faces! The Art ,
Dance and Culture is a credit to the resilliance and character of our Originies! I would love to see this go for a weekend, a week and forever!!
Helga Maria Lovejoy
Everything was so beautiful the stalls, the weather, the music, the Dances, the original "Yoga",
the people, the Art, the Mandalas, and dancing to the Oka Band. Thank You to All the Organizers, Supporters and Helpers.
Its the Best.
Sophia Fletcher
KINSHIP 2021 sure was such an amazing, beautiful, connected day full of giving, sharing and learning !!
Thank you to everyone involved...
SPIRIT of KINSHIP CULTURE CONNECTION FESTIVAL (what it means to us)
Fun Family Culture Sharing Learning Openness Gentleness Empowerment Kids-jarjums all involved
Self-determination Kinship showing mainstream how we do things Pride Role-reversal Respect Unifying
‘we will give you the show bag’ (ie. We will share our wisdom with you)You can also read
