First Nations Dance Authority: Who Inherits the Future?

The Australian Dance Biennale, a segment of RISING 2026 in Melbourne, has highlighted a shift in leadership within Australian dance. While First Nations choreography gains increased visibility, the focus has transitioned from mere participation to actual authority. Merindah Donnelly, a Wiradjuri woman and Co-CEO of BlakDance, opted out of the Biennale summit following Blak Futures' withdrawal, underscoring that visibility does not equate to power in decision-making. Artists such as Frances Rings (Bangarra), Daniel Riley (Australian Dance Theatre), Gary Lang, Vicki Van Hout, Jacob Boehme, Joel Bray, Carly Sheppard, Amrita Hepi, Jasmin Sheppard, and Thomas ES Kelly already hold artistic authority, yet institutional frameworks are slow to adapt. The article posits that true succession must involve a redistribution of authority concerning audiences, funding, and governance, drawing comparisons to the Mabo decision that acknowledged Indigenous legal systems. The future hinges on whether First Nations choreographic authority can influence the field, recognizing that the stage has never been devoid of presence.