KNOX PARK will once again play host to the fifth annual Kinship Festival on Saturday, May 18, from 10am – 3pm as part of a celebration of National Families Week.
Murwillumbah Community Centre Kinship Festival Committee member Aunty Deidre Currie said the Kinship Festival provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to connect in a friendly, fun and creative environment.
“A lot of the people that attend are non-Aboriginal people and they really want to connect with our Aboriginal culture and way of life,” Aunty Currie said.
“I think there is a growing interest in our beliefs as a beautiful way that could help make this country better.
“At the festival a lot of people come up and want to ask questions and I think Kinship provides a doorway to connecting.
“I always try to encourage people to talk, even if they feel shy, because they have a spirit too and that means if they have something to say they shouldn’t be frightened to come up and have a yarn.”
Ms Currie who will also be MC-ing the event said the festival was an opportunity for families and the community to enjoy a day of meaningful connection.
“It’s an opportunity to bring everyone together and to bring all our mobs together across the Bundjalung nation,” Ms Currie said.
“It’s about reminding everyone to be kind and look after each other and watch over our jarjums (children).
“It’s a lovely way of connecting with country and each other and it’s drug and alcohol free.”
The festival includes a community Corroboree, a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, Indigenous artisan markets, face painting, free kids nature crafts and activities, live music from OKA and The Mangrove Jack Band and free bush tucker and vegetarian lunch.
Ms Currie said the festival has continued to grow since it started five years ago and that many people are now travelling from out of the area to attend.
“People love it and some people travel from very far away to come and every year we get really, really good feedback about how much people have enjoyed it.”
The festival is also renowned for showcasing Indigenous culture through traditional dance, song, language, weaving and a large scale sand, soil and ochre community art installation.
“It is a day that’s about being together and showcasing our artists and our dancers and having a beautiful day together.”
One of the most popular features of the Kinship Festival in the past has been the Elders Sharing Wisdom Workshop where Elders share their values, stories and wisdom with families from across the Tweed.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/thekinshipfestival/ or contact Lara Bennett at lara@mccentre.org.au or phone (02) 6672 3003