In anticipation of their most ambitious festival to date, YIRRAMBOI has announced a groundbreaking global program deepening international First Nations connections and promoting cross-cultural dialogue.

For the 2025 festival, taking place from May 1-11 in Narrm, Northern Turtle Island (Canada) has been invited as the Focus Nation - marking a significant step towards global cultural unity and collaboration.

YIRRAMBOI strives to platform the interconnectedness and diversity of First Nations creatives. Deeply rooted locally, traversing nationally and internationally, YIRRAMBOI creates space for expressions of culture, identity, unity and truth through evolutionary and experimental practices.

For 2025 YIRRAMBOI will host one of the world's most significant cross-cultural gatherings, bringing together Australia and Canada in a powerful celebration of shared histories, diversity and the enduring solidarity of their First Nations communities. The landmark moment will feature the world premiere of two major new commissions and showcase the talents of over 20 Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists, curated throughout every aspect of the festival program.

YIRRAMBOI co-lead/creative lead and proud Taungurung/Filipino woman, Sherene Stewart, shared that while First Nations communities come from different corners of the world, the fight to thrive is shared.

"As First Nations Peoples, we have long valued and understood the power of trade and exchange – practices that have shaped our cultures for thousands of years.Whilst we may come from different corners of the world, our fight to thrive is shared. It is in our unity that we will create the transformative change our future generations deserve," she said.

"Since the inaugural 2017 festival, YIRRAMBOI has proudly presented Australian premieres of Canadian First Nations works, creating powerful cross-cultural exchanges that traverse borders and amplify artistic dialogue. These collaborations have strengthened our cultural ties and fostered meaningful connections that continue to grow in anticipation of the 2025 celebration."

Providing a global platform for First Nations artists and honouring the deep connection between Global First Nations peoples, YIRRAMBOI's International Commissions program has invested in the creation of new intercultural collaborative works by Australian and Canadian First Nations artists that will world premiere at the 2025 Festival.

A major honour for the festival and an Australian exclusive, is the return to the stage of internationally acclaimed Cree-Saulteaux Métis artist, multi-disciplinary performer and writer, Margo Kane. Renowned for her contributions to Indigenous performance, Kane's new work is an evolution of her storied legacy, which includes acclaimed pieces such as Reflections in the Medicine Wheel, Moonlodge, and Confessions of an Indian Cowboy.

Presented in collaboration with Arts Centre Melbourne, the symbolic production invites audiences to embark on a journey of reflection and transformation.

Also premiering at YIRRAMBOI 2025, is a powerful new work from renowned and globally celebrated artists Adrian Stimson (Siksika), Frances Belle Parker (Yaegl), and Tess Allas (Wiradjuri), titled 'We are the land we walk upon'.

Co-presented by the Immigration Museum (Museums Victoria), this new work is also set to engage and educate audience members.

This captivating film installation traces the shared journey of walking upon each other's lands, weaving together stories, traditions, and the deep connection to the earth. Through their unique artistic visions, they explore the interwoven histories and contemporary struggles of Indigenous peoples, creating a powerful dialogue that transcends borders.

Grounded in the legacy and deep connections of Tri Nations relationships and the broader Global First Nations creative networks, YIRRAMBOI champions creative and cultural exchange, experimentation, and First Nations ways of working. They remain committed to expanding the possibilities for artistic showcases, creating space for emerging voices, and cementing the future of international collaboration through nurturing the production and presentation of new works.

"Decades of creative connections by Indigenous visionaries have cultivated extraordinary exchanges. The trails blazed and the deep roots planted continue to inspire relations between our lands. The international collaborations between Australia and Turtle Island respectfully continues this legacy of amplifying our sovereign voices and strengthening our collective fires by honouring the past, uplifting the present, and igniting the future," said Denise Bolduc, an Anishinaabe woman and senior curator, international.

YIRRAMBOI International Collaborative Commissions have been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. YIRRAMBOI returns to Naarm/Melbourne from 1st-11th of May 2025.

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