Welcome to My Survey

PROJECT BRIEF

Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) are seeking a range of experienced Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Artists, Knowledge Holders, Cultural Practitioners and Leaders to share their knowledge as part of the Wotjobaluk Nations Festival 2025 celebrating the 20 Year Anniversary of Native Title for the peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations on Country across the weekend of the 13th and 14th December 2025.

BACKGROUND

On 13th December 2005, Native Title was determined for the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations, the first in Victoria.


On behalf of the Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations, BGLC has been tasked to develop and deliver the Wotjobaluk Nations Festival 2025 (WNF) that celebrates the art, culture and achievements over 20 years of Native Title for the Wotjobaluk Nations.

In order to achieve this, BGLC will engage a range of Wotjobaluk Nations Artists, Cultural Practitioners and Knowledge Keepers from across the Country to deliver a culturally significant program of arts and cultural experiences between 13- 14th December.

The WNF2025 would be based at a significant site in Dimboola where Native Title was granted in 2005.
The Cultural Program will occur across 2 days.
1. 13 Dec – 20th Anniversary of Native Title Ceremony, a Mob and Kin only event involving performances, cultural workshops and activities including an evening projection project Our Place Our Story.
2. 14 Dec – Breakfast and Reflection Ceremony for Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations and their Kin.
This will be followed by Cultural workshops and activities open to the wider public, serves as an opportunity to for non-indigenous community and partners to learn and experience Wotjobaluk Nations Culture, including an evening projection project Our Place Our Story.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR

The Wotjobaluk Nations Festival program will be curated by representatives from the Wotjobaluk Nations Project Group with endorsement from the BGLC board.
It will represent a range of Cultural experiences from a variety of different Artists, Cultural Practitioners, Knowledge Keepers and Leaders.

Please Note: The Festival, is based at a significant outdoor site in Country and hence workshop offerings will need to be delivered with minimal production requirements. A marquee will be provided as a venue for undercover workshop activities.

Workshop Leaders from this EOI will be selected by the Wotjobaluk Nations Festival Project Group and based on a range of considerations of the following:
· Quality of work
· Stage of practice and/or experience of the Artist/Cultural Practitioner/Leader
· Cultural experience and of the Practitioner /knowledge holder
· Range of cultural experiences offered
· Diversity of artists and practitioners on/off country from the 9 family groups
· Budget
· Facilities and materials required.

CONTENT/THEMES
The curated arts and cultural program could encompass activities, workshops and performances celebrating the creative and cultural practices of the Wotjobaluk Nations Peoples. These may include: Storytelling, inclusive ceremonial performance workshops, basket weaving, painting, boomerangs and spear throwing, game of marngrook, canoe making, night sky experience stories, language, music and song, earth oven and bush foods, making and decorating clapsticks, coolamons, possum skins and boondies, Elders story telling in person or through film, unique art practices, … many other possibilities.

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