One of the most significant creation stories will this weekend be presented for the first time in Western Australia's Pilbara region, where it originated.

The Seven Sisters Songlines traces the journey of seven sisters as they evade a relentless pursuer, with their story imprinted on the landscape, and reflected in the night sky as the Pleiades star cluster, with many believing its origins lie in Murujuga (meaning 'hip bone sticking out'), where the immersive telling will be shared.

The Dreaming story traces a songline that originates on one of the Dampier Archipelago's islands and finishes at the Three Sisters in NSW's Blue Mountains.

Providing an immersive experience of Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma storytelling, blending Traditional Knowledge with contemporary artistic and technological expression, the Seven Sisters story will be shared through a large-scale drone and light show, forming the closing ceremony of REAF 2025.

Cutting-edge technology will transform the night sky into a moving canvas, with the free event a rare chance to hear one of the world's oldest continuous stories brought to life through paintings, projections, and interactive elements.

The Seven Sisters Songlines tells the story of how Minkala, the Great Spirit, lifted the Mayalarri (Seven Sisters) into the sparkling night sky before Marrga came, singing the Burndud (a sacred creation song).

Their voices were so powerful that two of the Mayalarri were drawn back from the sky and into the sea near Murujuga, becoming the Bunggaliyarra.

About 1500km north of Perth, the Murujuga marks the origin of many Aboriginal Songlines, some of them stretching as far as Alice Springs, Cape York and Tasmania.

Custodians say stories from 30,000 to 50,000 years ago are told in the weathered rock faces and iron-rich boulders that number more than a million at Murujuga, which has the biggest concentration of petroglyphs in the world, some dating back to before the last Ice Age.

Traditional Owners and conservations have long urged ultimate protection of the ancient sites from big mining, through UNESCO World Heritage status, with the WA and federal governments in January last year making an application which, if successful, would make Murujuga one of only two Australian sites listed for their Indigenous cultural significance.

The powerful Seven Sisters narrative is told over two days at the Red Earths Art Festival through two groundbreaking presentations: the Bunggaliyarra Munggu, a 'First Lights Drone Show' at Murujuga (Hearson Cove), and the Mayalarri Exhibition at Karratha Tourism and Visitor Centre.

Ngarluma/Yindjibarndi woman Kaylene Daniel said her late mother – powerful cultural leader T. Daniel – was a strong advocate for the rock art at Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula).

"She told us the stories that were connected to the Seven Sisters, from the Burrup to Roebourne," she said.

"You can see the Seven Sisters in a rock art engraving in the Burrup… it's like a star reflection.

"Seeing this story as a drone show at that sacred site will be very special and important, and I know she will be there in spirit."

Yindjibarndi Elder and Juluwarlu artist Judith Coppin said the Seven Sisters story was shared often with her from a young age.

"When I was growing up in the Old Reserve, we used to sit around the campfire, and the Old People would tell us about the Bungaliyarra story," she said.

Yawuru-Bardi Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi woman and Juluwarlu artist June (Moonie) Djiagween said it was special the Seven Sisters Songlines could be shared through the two presentations.

"I'm excited about the exhibition and the drone show, and its remembrance of a beautiful lady – Nana Tootsie – and the Seven Sisters."

The landmark storytelling event is the work of Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation, an internationally renowned organisation focused on sustaining, preserving and promoting Yindjibarndi culture.

The Mayalarri exhibition engages visitors with the ancient Seven Sisters stories through paintings, projections, and interactive elements, thanks to Juluwarlu's renowned archive, bringing together historical and contemporary interpretations of Yindjibarndi cultural heritage.

The Juluwarlu events mark a significant moment for the Pilbara, sharing this timeless legacy of Aboriginal storytelling through art, innovation, and community engagement.

The exhibition also honours the late Mrs. T Daniel, a major advocate and leader for Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma culture, land and language.

Celebrating 25 years in 2025, Juluwarlu is passionately committed to sharing First Nations knowledge through innovative projects, art, and storytelling, connecting communities across the Pilbara and beyond to the Yindjibarndi's rich history and Traditions.

The organisation's nationally recognised archive has been pivotal to preserving cultural materials and advancing Indigenous knowledge systems, while its work extends to supporting historic achievements, such as the exclusive Yindjibarndi vs FMG Native Title case currently before the High Court of Australia.

Bunggaliyarra Munggu – First Lights Drone Show

- Sunday May 18, 6pm-8pm (show starts at 7pm), Hearson's Cove, Murujuga National Park

- Admission free but tickets essential, register online.

Mayalarri Exhibition – Celebrating 25 Years of Juluwarlu

- Saturday May 17, from 11am, Karratha Tourism and Visitor Centre, Lot 4548 De Witt Rd, Karratha

- Admission free, register online.