A major new Indigenous-led arts festival will place music, performance and cultural knowledge at the centre of a five-day celebration of First Nations creativity when Kindred People launches across Monash University’s campuses on Boonwurrung Country.

Beginning on 1 September, the inaugural five-day festival will bring together artists, Elders, Knowledge Holders and communities from Australia and overseas for a program of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, talks, workshops and ceremony. Curated by Gunditjmara man Tom Molyneux and guided by an Indigenous Steering Committee, Kindred People aims to foster cultural exchange while showcasing contemporary Indigenous artistic practice and ancient knowledge systems.

“Kindred People is unique,” says Molyneux. “It is a celebration of First Nations art, culture, ceremony and wisdom. It is a coming together of global communities, an exchange of knowledge, stories, truths, and research. It is a weaving together of our collective experiences in the face of existential challenges. It is healing. It is transformative. It is where tradition and the contemporary collide.”

Marlene Cummins. Photo supplied

Music is a major focus of the inaugural program, headlined by a festival-exclusive performance from blues musician and proud Guguyelandji and Woppaburra woman Marlene Cummins, who...