We acknowledge that we are on traditional lands of the Kulin Nation. We offer our respect to the Elders of these traditional lands and, through them, to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

WORDS FROM OUR ELDERS

Arweet Carolyn Briggs Wominjeka Festival is something that brings all people together, a Ngargee from all places and all people. It is a time when the Kulin Nations come together so that we can invite other people to come to respect and honour the work that has been made by our artists. It is also a time for us to come together and celebrate the privilege of being here, to avoid the trap of being angry and instead bringing conversations to light that embrace the knowledge of the Elders. We’ve all been through trauma, so we understand and we use the opportunity to engage with the refugee community to share stories and create safety. We help people to support the values of the First Peoples. Wominjeka 2017 is a collection of songs and stories from all places and all people.

Annette Xiberras Wominjeka Festival is a festival that welcomes visitors to come along and celebrate the arts, the stories, the songs and the rivers. To us, the river is the secret to life - it’s like the milk from the mother to the baby - an important source that keeps us all alive and healthy. The Festival is a place for us to celebrate and come together as one. It’s not talking about reconciliation - it’s doing reconciliation. It’s working together to ensure togetherness for all. Wominjeka includes many activities for families - activities that encourage us to be in life, not out of it. These sort of activities help our children to live like we did in the old days - connected to art and culture, and Country. I hope you enjoy Wominjeka 2017.

Yarnz with Uncle Larry Walsh For me, Wominjeka is about the up-and-comers. Young creators, painters, musicians and performers getting the chance to be seen and heard, giving them confidence to take the next step. We know we have to use the bigger name artists to get the young ones heard, but that’s ok. One day they will be the big names, drawing the big crowd. I remember Dave Arden and - all of these big artists, when they first started. They were doing pub gigs, getting played on 3CR. I’ve got recordings of them they probably hope would never come to light! When Archie was only used to campfire singing and hadn’t been around mics and PA’s too much. Between me and another fella (Giller McGuiness) we could probably embarrass every top 10 Aboriginal artist in Victoria with these recordings! We tried hard to revive Aboriginal music in Victoria in the ‘80s, growing our own scene. And now the next generation are coming through and hitting the mark every time. They get the chance at Wominjeka to play and perform with well-known musos, which will hopefully mean they can Front cover: Benny Walker. Image by Carlo Santone take the next step and surpass their teachers and idols, or at least get the excitement to keep going. Being an artist is a hard road. People are told they won’t make a living and their confidence is destroyed before they even begin. In programming the Festival we strive for a blend of the younger and the established, and a relationship between the two so the more senior artists can give the young ones a hand and build them up. We are modern, urban artists building on the past. From all over we come together to explore art in modern ways. WORDS FROM FCAC

Lydia Fairhall, Worimi Gamipingul, FCAC Head of Programming It’s a statement of the obvious to say that Wominjeka Festival and the artistic program at FCAC would not be possible without the Elders, artists and people who make up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Melbourne’s west. I am forever humbled and inspired by the generosity and wisdom of our Elders in Residence Arweet Carolyn Briggs and Uncle Larry Walsh whose commitment to supporting the contemporary stories of our people is immeasurable. Similarly, I am so grateful for the vision of the advisory group (Karen Jackson, Genevieve Grieves, Vicki Couzens, Rob Bundle, Annette Xiberras and Paola Balla) and their dedication to curating a program that deeply engages, disturbs and questions outdated views of artistic practices that the colonial gaze too often forces upon as creators and producers. Our art has emerged from campfires, rivers, sideshow tents, secret gatherings of culture and song in drafty mission buildings, footy clubs, churches, prisons, arts centres, protest sites in inner city streets, galleries and backyards. We look forward to celebrating with you on the banks of the Maribyrnong.

Jade Lillie, FCAC Director and CEO Footscray Community Arts Centre is proud to deliver Wominjeka Festival 2017, once again from the banks of the Maribyrnong River, our home. This year we weave threads between language and family, through the sharing of stories, music, performance and participation, from Country to Country, within Melbourne’s west and beyond. As always, my thanks to FCAC’s Indigenous Advisory Group whose guidance continues to shape this festival, our Indigenous Cultural Program and through this, the organisation as a whole. Thank you to the FCAC Board and Team and to our festival partners for 2016, Maribyrnong City Council, Ministry for the Arts (Catalyst), St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and First Nations Foundation. I look forward to celebrating Wominjeka 2017 with you. Image by James Henry WOMINJEKA FESTIVAL 2017 PROGRAM OF EVENTS This festival has been supported by Maribyrnong City Council. Join us as we open the Festival with our exhibition program, followed by Wominjeka In Concert.

Ganggan bilang (feather basket) Taungurung language, 2016. Image by Cassie Leatham Ngeerang Ngart Kakay Bronwyn Razem

Bronwyn Razem is a Gunditjmara woman of the Kirrae Whurrong clan of western Warrnambool on the Victorian coastline. She integrates ochres, sand and other materials into her paintings, and her works draw on the possum skin cloak traditions of her ancestors. This new body of work features traditional paintings and woven objects, using traditional techniques in a contemporary art setting, celebrating language, family and renewal. FCAC Gabriel Gallery

Weaving Country Curated by Vicki Couzens and Hannah Presley

Weaving Country is a celebration of the remarkable unbroken practice of weaving and fibre craft in Victoria. Through the use of natural and contemporary fibres, Aboriginal women weavers reveal the significance of connection to Country. Their creative woven forms offer insights into the health and happiness of their Country, local environments and eco-systems. FCAC Roslyn Smorgon Gallery

OPENING: Saturday 14 January, 2pm VENUE: FCAC EXHIBITION: Saturday 14 January - Saturday 1 April

Image by James Henry WOMINJEKA IN CONCERT AND TERRAIN

FCAC partners again with Maribyrnong City Council and St Jerome’s Laneway Festival to bring the country’s most-loved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to the banks of the Maribyrnong River. A celebration of survival, sovereignty, spirituality and song, Wominjeka In Concert remains a celebrated event on the calendar of Melbourne’s west, opening FCAC’s annual program with the voices of the First Peoples.

Image courtesy of Maribyrnong City Council FRANK YAMMA Frank Yamma’s star continues to rise as he traverses the globe with his unique and soulful artistry. His lyrics, sung in English and his native language, will make your heart sing in whatever language you speak. Frank’s warm-hearted optimism transcends his life of struggle, and love songs for his family and his Country abound in a catalogue of original music dating back to his earliest performances at age six with his father, legendary Indigenous music star Isaac Yamma. It is this warm heart and his rich and deep tone that inspires audiences everywhere to stand up and listen, and to be moved often to tears and laughter, to stories of universal significance. Regarded by many as one of Australia’s most important Indigenous songwriters, Frank has been a hit on the international festival circuit playing regularly in Canada, Europe and the UK. His successful album releases Uncle and Countryman have been praised by critics the world over and he was awarded Best Independent Country Album at the 2015 Independent Music Awards.

WHEN: Saturday 14 January, 4pm VENUE: FCAC Riverside Lawn COST: Free

Image by Matt Day WOMINJEKA 2017 TERRAIN Presented in partnership with Laneway Festival.

GAWURRA Winner of four National Indigenous Music Awards, Stanley Gawurra Gaykamangu, like fellow Yolngu artist Gurrumul, ‘commands attention regardless of backdrop’ (Rolling Stone). Hailing from Arnhem Land with a deeply resonant voice and musical sensitivity to match, Gawurra won 2015 NT Song of the Year in the Pop category for his song “Ratja Yaliyali”. A beautiful melody and a well-known Yolngu Songline, Ratja Yaliyali translates to ‘vine of love’ - a thread that keeps everything connected. When Yolngu people hear it they feel the spirit in their hearts. A gentle and genuine young leader, Gawurra is due to be an Elder in his community and is passionate about keeping his Gupapuyngu language strong. He has recently performed at Nannup Music Festival (WA), Basin Festival (VIC), Federation Square, the Marngrook Footy Show, Walking With Spirits Festival, Garma Festival and supported Peter Garrett at Darwin Festival.

Image by Pippa Samaya

LEAH FLANAGAN Leah Flanagan melds an ageless voice with complex and alluring lyrics in a combination that has audiences entranced. It’s a sound reminiscent of singer/songwriters of the ‘70s, capturing hearts with laments and celebrations of love, sincerity and soul. A songwriter with Venetian, Aboriginal and Irish heritage, Leah draws deep from a fascinating historical, geographical and cultural mix. Leah and her band join Wominjeka fresh off the release of her album Saudades, an album that captures the full repertoire of emotions that we carry into our relationships - romantic and otherwise.

Image by Tajette O’Halloran BENNY WALKER A Yorta Yorta man from Echuca, Benny Walker is the real deal and a star in the making. His love songs and epic tales are mixed with a deep groove and passion for the land. His latest offerings “Save” and “Oh No You Don’t” shot to number one on the AMRAP charts, with the latter earning him four 2016 National Indigenous Music Award nominations. These songs herald in a new direction in sound for Benny, mixing Blues and Roots with a contemporary guitar driven soul vibe. Benny has performed alongside some of Australia’s finest, including Archie Roach, Alex Lloyd, Blue King Brown and Tim Rogers. Along with a further nomination for Best Aboriginal Talent at The Age Music Victoria Awards recently; 2017 is going to be his year.

Image by Pippa Samaya Image by Carlo Santone

ALICE SKYE Alice Skye is a singer/songwriter, Wergaia woman and universal little sister. Now living in Melbourne, country Victoria is home to Alice. Growing up aside the Grampians she had no shortage of inspiration – music was unavoidable. She uses the pairing of vocals and piano and has a true passion for the songwriting process. Alice has had two tracks on rotation at triple j and was one of eight winners of the Alukura Songwriting Competition, recording at the CAAMA Music studios in while being mentored by the Stiff Gins. Her first EP is set to be released early 2017.

WHEN: Saturday 14 January, 4pm VENUE: FCAC Riverside Lawn COST: Free Image by Danny McShane LITTLE WOMINJEKA KLUB

Bart Willoughby Band are back singing up Country for Wominjeka Festival 2017. Formed in 2008, the band has been described as the tip of the spear in the modern Indigenous songline. Join them as they keep the party vibes alive long into Wominjeka’s opening night with their sounds of reggae and defiance. The Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) will be fundraising at Little Wominjeka Klub. Show your support for the WAR collective and the cause of decolonisation, resistance and revival.

WHEN: Saturday 14 January, 10pm til late VENUE: The Reverence Hotel, 28 Napier St, Footscray VIC 3011 COST: $10 on the door

Image by Justin McManus SCRIBE AT WOMINJEKA 2017

In 2017, we are delighted to present creative development showings, storytelling and readings with Scribe at Wominjeka.

HANNAH DONNELLY Hannah Donnelly is a Wiradjuri writer who grew up on Gamilaroi Country. She is the creator of Sovereign Trax, an Indigenous music blog which aims to foreground the consumption of music that speaks to collective stories and identities. Hannah’s writing experiments with speculative fiction and Indigenous responses to climate change. Image by Gabi Briggs

JACK SHEPPARD The Honouring is a presentation of a physical theatre work in development, paying homage to Indigenous life and culture in its hardships, beauty and spirituality. Using movement, dialogue, video installations and poetry, the work is influenced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander totems and landscape, with the story journeying to parts of Australia of deep significance toJack Sheppard. Image by Nikki Lam

MILIWANGA WURRBEN A traditional Rembarrnga woman whose homeland is on Bamdubu, Central Arnhem Land, Miliwanga shares her Central Arnhem Land creation story. “It’s taken me many years to find the words and ways to give meaning to an intricate, complex culture.” Image by Tammy Anderson

WHEN: Sunday 15 January, 2pm-5pm VENUE: FCAC Performance Space COST: $10, bookings essential WOMINJEKA WORKSHOPS POSSUM SKIN ARMBANDS with Yaraan Bundle kooramook meelee wook – possum skin armband

Possum skin cloaks are magnificent and iconic to southeastern Aboriginal cultures. Learn about cloaks, culture and ceremony in this workshop under the guidance and teachings of Yaraan Bundle, Gunditjmara/Yuin cultural teacher, dancer and language activist. Within the circle of the workshop, each person will create their own armband depicting their story of place and belonging, worn for decoration and ceremony.

WHEN: Possum Skin Armband Workshop, Monday 16 January, 11am - 12:30pm Healers Workshop, Monday 16 January, 1:30pm - 3:30pm VENUE: FCAC Jack Kennedy Room COST: $20 each workshop, bookings essential (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants free)

Image by Vicki Couzens

HEALERS WORKSHOP and HEALING CLINIC with MILIWANGA WURRBEN Miliwanga Wurrben is a traditional Rembarrgna woman from Central Arnhem Land who speaks eight languages and is a gifted spokeswoman on cultural awareness, traditional medicine, healing, and Aboriginal spirituality and philosophy. She has facilitated workshops with Amnesty International and Oxfam relating to the UN Declarations for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the World and is the Chairperson of Banatjarl Strongbala Wumin Group. A visual artist, weaver, healer, cultural advisor and qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Linguistics, Miliwanga will share her stories and be holding a healers workshop and clinic sessions throughout Wominjeka Festival.

WHEN: Healing Clinic, Tuesday 17 - Friday 20 January, one hour sessions VENUE: FCAC COST: $50 per session, bookings essential SCHOOL HOLIDAY ARTS PROGRAM The 2017 summer School Holiday Arts Program is facilitated by some of Victoria’s leading artists. Just like in the old times, the artists involved will be passing on their knowledge through stories, language and many different art forms to the young people of our modern urban community. This program will be highlighting the evolution of identity that is ongoing within the Indigenous community through connecting the old and new through various art forms and mediums.

BLAKflip FROM CIRCUS OZ with DAVEY THOMPSON

Davey Thompson will be facilitating the workshops with Indigenous circus trainers from the Circus OZ team. Children will learn the BLAKFlip circus ways of tumbling, acrobatics, juggling, hula hooping, devil sticks and other games that introduce the skills and movement patterns of the circus world. Tuesday 17 - Thursday 19 January, 6 - 12 yrs

ILBIJERRI THEATRE COMPANY with KAMARA BELL-WYKES

Delivered by leading Indigenous theatre artists from ILBIJERRI, Australia’s longest running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Company, the workshop provides an opportunity for participants to work with Indigenous performing artists in interactive drama activities to develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and the contemporary lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 January, 6 - 9 yrs

Image by Rob Blackburn STORIES AND ANIMATION WITH UNCLE LARRY Uncle Larry Walsh and David Pennay combine surreal stop motion animation techniques with storytelling to help children create their own stop motion animation. A senior Elder with a passion for using storytelling to ensure the cultural continuity of his ancient oral traditions, Uncle Larry loves working with the younger generation and sees them as the torch-bearers of the future. Tuesday 17 January, 6 - 9 yrs WEAVING AND BUSH TOY MAKING with BRONWYN RAZEM Bronwyn Razem will be teaching the kids some of her traditional weaving styles that have been handed down from generation to generation, making bracelets, other jewellery objects, bush toys and household ornaments.

Wednesday 18 January, 10 - 12 yrs Thursday 19 January, 6 - 9 yrs PHOTOGRAPHY with JAMES HENRY Participants will use a combination of multi-coloured lighting techniques, projectors and photo editing to make interesting creations using their DSLR or even a phone camera. Thursday 19 January, 10 - 12 yrs

WHEN: Tuesday 17 - Thursday 19 January, 10am – 3pm VENUE: FCAC COST: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants: Free, bookings essential (includes before and after care, and transport if required). General public participants: Earlybird (until 4 December) 3 days $180 / $150, Single day $90 / $70. Standard (from 5 December) 3 days $210/ $170, Single day $100 / $80 Before care 8:30am – 10am: $8. After care 3pm – 5pm: $15 Image by Simon de Lacy-Leacey WOMINJEKA 2017 IN CONVERSATION

AN EVENING WITH ARWEET

Join a conversation with Elder Arweet Carolyn Briggs. Arweet talks about her childhood, an extraordinary journey of illness, recovery and resourcefulness that allowed her to later step into the role of Elder and holder of knowledge. She exposes the often hidden stories of black women as mobilisers and the true agents of change, and women’s stories of their connection to place, politics and power.

Image by Rachel Main WHEN: Thursday 19 January, 7pm VENUE: FCAC Performance Space COST: Free, bookings essential

ARTS + SOVEREIGNTY

Join panelists Paola Balla, Rosie Kilvert, Nayuka Gorrie, Jacob Boheme and Léuli Eshraghi in conversation, as they explore the relationship between arts and sovereignty. A critical commentary on the impacts of the colonial gaze on our artistic practices and outdated perspectives on what is Aboriginal art, panelists question, challenge, and disturb current understandings of the relationship between artistic and political operations.

Image by Simon de Lacy-Leacey Image by Rosie Kilvert FCAC and Moondani Balluk at VU Present: BLACK SCREEN AT WOMINJEKA

From our very own company-in-residence Brown Cab Productions, Black Screen at Wominjeka showcases three of their latest shorts films - Under Skin, In Blood directed by Larissa Berendt, Man Real directed by Tracey Rigney and U Turn directed by Ryan Griffiths. Screenings will be followed by a Q&A with company director and producer John Harvey.

WHEN: Friday 20 January, 7pm VENUE: FCAC Performance Space COST: Free, bookings essential.

Colin Kinchela (Carp), Man Real. Margaret Harvey (Faye), Under Skin, In Blood. Image by Michelle Grace Hunder Image by Heidrun Lohr.

The First Nations Foundation’s Big Super Day Out is joining Wominjeka Festival 2017 to help you find thousands of your own money! They’ll have superannuation experts on site, ready to help you sort out your super. So bring your ID and tax file number to discuss rolling your superannuation funds together, or simply to learn more.

WHEN: Saturday 14 January, 2pm - 9pm VENUE: FCAC Basement Theatre COST: Free KUTCHA EDWARDS IN CONCERT with ROBBIE BUNDLE Join us as we close Wominjeka Festival 2017 with the legendary Kutcha Edwards and Robbie Bundle in concert.

KUTCHA EDWARDS

Kutcha Edwards has been prolifically combining activism and songwriting since 1991. It is his experiences as a member of the Stolen Generations and his proud Mutti Mutti heritage that has shaped his diverse creative output in groups like Blackfire and . At the same time he’s been able to forge a successful solo career combining the blues with traditional songs of people and Country. Kutcha regards himself as a songman, not simply a songwriter. He draws on a profound sense of all those who have gone before him on this land, along with his own life experiences, to help his audiences reconnect with their culture and promote cultural understanding.

WHEN: Saturday 21 January, 7:30pm VENUE: FCAC Performance Space Image by Mardi Thorpe COST: $20, bookings essential

ROBBIE BUNDLE Robbie Bundle is a singer-songwriter and musician who has been writing and performing music for more than 35 years. He has performed with artists such as , Dave Arden, Bart Willoughby, Archie Roach and many others. Also a filmmaker, MC and a musical historian of the Songlines, Robbie’s latest album Universal Ark is a beautiful showcase of a songwriter at his best.

Image by James Henry LITTLE WOMINJEKA KLUB

The Stray Blacks will be sending us home on the closing night of Wominjeka Festival 2017 with their blend of country, rock and reggae. Formed back in the ‘90s, they were sick of seeing black fellas booted out and banned from the city’s hotels and clubs so they decided it was time to control their own gigs and create a place for the ‘mob’ to hang out and enjoy good company and good music. Still together and going strong today, they will be closing the out the week of festivities.

WHEN: Saturday 21 January, 9pm til late VENUE: The Reverence Hotel, 28 Napier St, Footscray VIC 3011 COST: $10 on the door

Image by Jolene Thomas Bus Stop Hopkins Street

Wingfield Street Irving Street Footscray Train Station

Cowper Street

Hyde Street Whitehall Street Maribyrnong River Bunbury Street

Moreland Street

Bookings Contact Us Bookings and information at footscrayarts.com Footscray Community Free events book out quickly. Arts Centre (FCAC) Wominjeka is a licensed event. No BYO. 45 Moreland Street Footscray VIC 3011 Australia P (03) 9362 8888 Getting Here F (03) 9362 8866 Footscray Community Arts Centre is located on the banks of E [email protected] the Maribyrnong River and can be easily accessed by public transport and car. FCAC provides Auslan interpreting on request. Please contact us two weeks prior to Public Transport the event. Train: Catch a train to Footscray Station and take Sound amplification available in a five minute walk down Bunbury Street. the FCAC Performance Space. Please enquire when booking. Bus: Take the 402 bus to the corner of Moreland Street and Dynon Road and then a five minute walk down Moreland Wheelchair accessible Street. Plan your journey with the PTV Journey Planner at ptv.vic.gov.au

Cycling/Walking Cycle or walk along the Maribyrnong River and enter FCAC via Riverside Lawn.

Parking There are two hour unmetered carparks in FCAC’s front car park and metered parking on Moreland Street. Wominjeka Festival 2017 Supporters footscrayarts.com #Wominjeka17 #NewTERRAIN #MyFestivalCity @footscrayarts

Footscray Community Arts Centre is supported by

Image by Tamara Watt