Monash University launches Indigenous-led festival Kindred People for 2026
From 1 to 5 September 2026, Monash University will host Kindred People, an Indigenous-led festival celebrating First Nations arts, culture, and knowledge across three of its four campuses in Melbourne. Curated by Tom Molyneux, a Gunditjmara man and Head of First Nations Programming and Engagement, the festival aims to connect outer metro audiences in Melbourne's southeast with First Nations work. Highlights include two world premieres: The Scarecrow and Waa by Na Djinang Circus, led by Waka Waka man Harley Mann, and Decolonising the Bells, an experimental sound piece by Noongar composer Aaron Wyatt. The festival will also showcase works from Australian Dance Theatre and Aotearoa New Zealand. It will kick off with Wurrungi Biik on 1 September, led by Professor N'arwee't Carolyn Briggs AM, and conclude with Djeembana Yalinwa, featuring a free concert by Electric Fields. Molyneux envisions Kindred People as a biannual event, alternating with the Yirramboi Festival.
Key facts
- Kindred People is a new Indigenous-led festival presented by Monash University.
- The festival runs from 1 to 5 September 2026 at Monash University Clayton, Caulfield and Frankston campuses.
- Curator is Gunditjmara man Tom Molyneux, Head of First Nations Programming and Engagement at Monash University Performing Arts Centres.
- World premieres include The Scarecrow and Waa by Na Djinang Circus and Decolonising the Bells by Aaron Wyatt with Speak Percussion.
- Two works from Aotearoa New Zealand are programmed: He Huia Kaimanawa and UPU.
- A major exhibition will be held at Monash University Museum of Art at Caulfield.
- A two-day symposium titled kummargi yulendj gadhaba will focus on Indigenous knowledge.
- The festival opens with Wurrungi Biik (Protocols Day) on 1 September, hosted by Professor N'arwee't Carolyn Briggs AM.
- Community Day (Djeembana Yalinwa) will close with a free concert by Electric Fields.
- Molyneux hopes to make Kindred People a biannual event alternating with Yirramboi Festival.
Entities
Artists
- Tom Molyneux
- Harley Mann
- Aaron Wyatt
- S Shakthidharan
- Daniel Riley
- Jasmin Sheppard
- Bianca Hyslop
- Rowan Pierce
- Professor N'arwee't Carolyn Briggs AM
- Professor Tristan Kennedy
- Electric Fields
Institutions
- Monash University
- Monash University Performing Arts Centres
- Na Djinang Circus
- Speak Percussion
- Australian Dance Theatre
- Monash University Museum of Art
- City of Melbourne
- Yirramboi Festival
- ArtsHub
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Monash University Clayton
- Monash University Caulfield
- Monash University Frankston
- Frankston
- Aotearoa New Zealand
- Sydney Opera House
- Boonwurrung Country