Mabo Day - Celebrating on the 4th of June 2023 Market

Celebrating Mabo Day.

Proudly Presented by the City of Port Phillip and The St Kilda Esplanade Market.

Mabo Day June the 3^rd marks an annual day of significance and celebration for First Nations Peoples in remembrance which commemorates Eddie Koiki Mabo, a Torres Strait Islander whose campaign for Indigenous Land rights led to a landmark Native Title decision of the High Court of Australia that, on 3 June 1992, overturned the legal Fiction of Terra Nullius or Unoccupied land, which had characterised Australian law with regards to land and title since 1770, now recognised the original inhabitants of Murray Island as the true owners.

Mabo Day is also a significant day celebration on the City of Port Phillips Civic Events calendar. In 2023, The City of Port Phillip is proud to present Mabo Day Celebrations in partnership with the Esplanade Markets in St Kilda featuring a range of First Nations performances.

JARAN ABORIGINBAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDS DANCE COMPANY (CREEDENCE BLANCO) 

Jaran, which means fresh water in the language of the Yugumbeh People, is unique in that its performances combine Aboriginal as well as Torres Strait Islander dance and in doing so provide a truly enriching cultural experience.  Creedence Blanco who spearheads Jaran was given the honour by his Elder Uncle Magpie to be the custodian of songs, so he is a songman, didgeridoo player and the lead cultural dancer.

INDIGENOUS OUTREACH PROJECTS (IOP HIP HOP)

Indigenous Outreach Projects, aka I-OP Hip Hop Crew, are a culturally diverse national collective. For over two decades they have been showcasing their passion and professional talents connecting with community, especially youth, engaging them through music and dance. IOP projects focus on delivering health and well-being messages through their motto “no shame, be proud, respect” which encourages a strong mind, body, spirit and culture.

BANKDOK TATI (SMALL ANT BROTHERS)

Bandok Tati, meaning ‘small ant brothers’, is a group of Aboriginal boys, aged 8-20 years old, who stay connected to their culture through traditional song and dance. Bandok Tati was formed and is currently based on Bunurong (Boonwurrung) Country. The boys also have many ties to different parts of the lands of Central and Southern Victoria, including Gunaikurnai, Dja Dja Wurrung and Wurundjeri Country. They also have ties to Western Australia, South Australia and Southern NSW. The boys are well educated in their culture as they have been around culturally knowledgeable people from a young age, by way of things such as dancing, events and families passing down stories. Bandok Tati is a family, a brotherhood. The members of Bandok Tati have known each other from a young age due to their families being close and the boys share blood ties with each other.

AMOS ROACH 

Amos Roach is an award-winning musician, dancer, director and proud Djab Wurrung, Gunditjmarra Ngarrindjeri man. Amos has been playing keyboard, guitar, bass and Yidaki since he was eight, and is acknowledged as one of Australia’s best Yidaki players. A cultural practitioner, traditional First Nations culture informs the fundamentals of his craft. Amos’ music is part of the songline that connects people and Country. He uses traditional instruments, songs, music and dance to tell stories of Songlines, Family and Country and aims to bring traditional instruments into the mainstream canon.

Performance Times

11 am - Acknowledgement by Amos Roach

11:30 am - Small Ant Brothers (20 mins)

12:15 pm - IOP Show (30 mins)

1:30 pm - Amos Roach (45 mins)

2:30 pm - Jaran Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dancers (20 mins)