Indigenous

Australia’s Aboriginal people hold wisdom passed on over thousands of years through art, story telling, song, and dance. Connecting with our traditional Indigenous Australian culture through music, art, dance, food, ceremony, and discussion, offers our community a greater understanding of our culture’s history and roots. This deeper connection to our ancestors and the spirits of the land creates a harmonious relationship with the Earth and our people. Rainbow would like to deeply thank all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the many nations across Australia for their contribution to this wonderful festival.

Indigenous Members of Our Community

Rainbow is proud to offer a wide range of Indigenous cultural activities in the Indigenous tent (‘Bungaree’ meaning ‘hut’ in the local language) for all to enjoy and be part of including dance, art, cooking, basket weaving, Didgeridoo / Yidaki, and healing workshops. Special thanks to the following for sharing their knowledge and experience with us:

Gnarnayharrhe (Uncle Joey) is a proud Yinjibamdi Elder from Western Australia. Gnarnayharrhe is a prolific Yidaki / Didgeridoo player and traditional Aboriginal dancer who travels the world performing.

Aunty Mona Wilson is approaching 80 years young, an Indigenous elder proud of her heritage. She has been a part of the Rainbow family for several years now spreading her message of peace and understanding.

Bonnie Fagan is the Cultural Heritage Co-ordinator of the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation and will contribute to the Opening ceremony on behalf of the traditional custodians of the land.

Uncle Phil Ahwang is from the Torres Strait Islands and among other things will be sharing his culinary skills with us.

Uncle Ted Lovett is a Gunditjmara man. As always he will share with us his local knowledge and contribute to the ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony.

David Beaumont is a proud Sydney based Wiradjuri man, and the Indigenous Liaison for Rainbow Serpent Festival, co-ordinating all the Indigenous activities throughout the festival. David aka DJ Silver B will once again drop another special set with live didgeridoo and drumming.

Original Custodians of the land: Wadawurrung (Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation)

Opening Blessing

Please join us for the Opening Blessing, guided by Aunty Mona, honouring the traditional custodians of the land, the Wathaurong Nation, on whose land we meet. Through connection to self, the land, culture, community and consciousness, we recognise and honour the sacred space that is created through the Opening Blessing. Being the first ceremony held (Friday 4pm), we open the space, create the intent of love, peace, raised consciousness, community, and celebration of our gathering, and offer a traditional ‘Acknowledgement to Country’.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony is a more formal process of Traditional ‘Welcome to Country’ to all and a Smoking ceremony, which cleanses the land and prepares for the days ahead. This ceremony is coordinated by the Wadawurrung Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation, David Beaumont, and all Indigenous brothers and sisters wishing to participate.

Closing Ceremony

In the Closing Ceremony (Monday 7:30pm), we reflect, respect and remember why we gather together in celebration of our uniqueness, and collective connection. We honour the experience, gather what we have learnt, release what has been created and through traditional ceremony, give thanks and close the space in preparation for our next gathering.

Both ceremonies are participant active and offer a welcoming environment for all who wish to be involved. Your inclusion grounds and holds the intent activated through the Blessing Ceremony, and through the acknowledgment that we are all One Tribe, intensifies the solidarity of the overall gathering.

TomCia Raven Wolf - the Closing Chant

Indigenous Performers / Workshops