An event more than 65,000 years in the making, Yabun Festival drew big crowds on Sunday.
Organised by the operators of Koori Radio, Gadigal Information Service, the festival was created to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Offering a packed line-up of high-profile and emerging First Nations musicians and dancers, panel discussions with leading thinkers, and market stalls representing businesses and organisations, the day was full of activities.
"Yabun is a unique event that continues to grow and remains an essential day for our community and mob. This year, we are featuring some of the best musicians in the nation and our program is more extensive than ever", said event producer Miah Wright in the days leading up to Yabun.
"We have 12 dance groups performing, promising a beautiful day filled with culture, music and voices coming together to make Yabunas special as it is."
Yabun means 'music to a beat' and the main stage was busy all day. Headlining acts included Troy Cassar-Daley, Baarka and Electric Fields.
With attending families and children dancing along and enjoying the performances, Sydney's beautiful Victoria Park in Broardway acted as the perfect hosting spot for the day's events.
This year's festival was supported by a grant of more than $200,000 from the City of Sydney. The City of Sydney also offered festival-goers free entry to Victoria Park Pool.
"Yabun is an incredible showcase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander cultures, languages and communities," said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO.
"It's a festival that radiates the richness and resilience of more than 65,000 years of First Nations cultures through live music, art, market stalls and thought-provoking discussions. The City of Sydney is hosting a stall with free passes for our pools and fitness centres, information about our grants and jobs on offer, a survey on our new reconciliation action plan and books from our libraries' Koori Collection, so we encourage you to visit and connect with us on the day."
Stealing the spotlight with her high-energy performance, popular First Nations singer and songwriter Miss Kaninna (Kaninna Langford) was also in full support of Yabun and the festival's mission of promoting culture and empowerment.
"I've always wanted to play at Yabun. For me today is a day of mourning so it is really important for me to be around my mob and share stories," Miss Kaninna told Style Up.
When asking the talented singer on how she believes Australia can better address its history with First Nations culture Kaninna was quick to confirm that she feels the first step forward is a treaty.
"I think the first step forward is a treaty. I really do believe that it is treaty above everything else. I feel it should not be conversation on what white Australia or the wider, occupying government thinks that is best for us , we need to have self determination. I think that Aboriginal people need to be seen as equal and equally valued in decision making in this country."
"I think at the heart of change it needs to be First Nations led."
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