Working with First Nation Artists and Communities
Introduction
First Nations people have been an important part of the Tracks story; from residences in remote communities to First Nations artists having residences with the company. Within major productions, choreographers have shared their stories with the world, dancers young and old have have featured in these productions as well as taking part in development and participation programs. The intergeneration values of Tracks and our understanding that the dance is not separate from other art forms, places we inhabit, and the life and community that we live in, are all values growing from decades of working with First Nation artists.
Community Residencies and Performances
SInce 1988, Tracks artists have been involved in many residencies in remote communities, many leading to performances, and even sometimes touring.
1989
Brown’s Mart receives Community Cultural Development funding to take a team of artists into a three-month Lajamanu Community Residency. The team Janet Robertson, Sarah Calver and Tim Newth, created with Lajamanu youth a performance which toured into other Central Australian communities as well as to the north.
Tim Newth stayed on in Lajamanu for a Banner and Mural Project. He worked with community members to realise banners, and murals on water tanks and buildings.
1990
The second Lajamanu Community Residency. Tim Newth and Sarah Calver were joined by Robyn Laurie (ex-Circus Oz) to create a new performance with the community which again toured to many Aboriginal communities and performed in Alice Springs and Darwin.
1990
Workshops at Yipirinya School, a non-government community-controlled Aboriginal school in Alice Springs and caters for Aboriginal Children from various tribal groups around the Central region.
Jabiru Residency – Kakadu National Park and Gunbalunya Oenpelli Community. Bebra Batton
1992
The performance From Little Things Big Things Grow was the result of a residency at Yipirinya school in Alice Springs. The performance involved the five different language groups and cultures of the school.
1993
Residency in Angurugu, Groote Eylandt, (in the Anindilyakwa community of Angurugu).
1995
A second project at Yipirinya School, Yipirinya, After the Rain was developed with the wider Warlpiri community in Alice Springs.
1997
A second Angurugu Residency on Groote Eylandt.
1998
Nguiu, Tiwi Islands - The Kukanarri Show (a traditional word that describes celebrations when the whole community comes together) featured many stories from the community, including its key dreamings and creation stories, its history since colonisation and its current joys.
2000
The Tiwi Flame - An event conceived for the Olympic torch passing through the Aboriginal community of Nguiu.
2001
Placement (First Nation component of Stompin Youth Dance project in Tasmania). Members of the artistic team and youth in each country (as defined by traditional travelling paths) were taught the construction of traditional pyres with a Palawa Aboriginal elder. Each of the ceremonies involved the act of lighting fire as a symbolic action of invitation to come onto Aboriginal land, which is traditionally carried out by the visitor.
2004
Nauiyu Nanbiyu - Daly River - Tracks Youth Dance Leaders (including one First Nations dancer), guided by professional cultural workers, worked with the youth of Nauiyu through peer interaction, role modelling, and specific skill development. It also aims to assist in the development of Territory talent.
2017
Katherine Residency (and Caravan) - work through the Stars Foundation students towards performing with the Grey Panthers
2005 - 2024
The first Milpirri performance was created in Lajamanu. This life-changing community dance event was the beginning of a revisioning of the way that both Western and Warlpiri values could work together. Based on the ideas held in the Ngapa Dreaming this celebratory community development project united a community and continued as a biannual over the next two decades.
First Nations Artists in Tracks Works
The process of creating a Tracks Major Work is a collaborative one, it involves a large team of choreographers, dancers, and other artists. The following list of projects and artists (which doesn’t include everything) highlights First Nations artists who have been employed to work hand-in-hand as part of these artistic teams.
1992
Lajamanu Kurra Karna Yani - Lajamanu Youth and Yawulyu Ceremonial Dancers and male elders.
Flying of the Edge - Randall Choreographer
1994
Sacred Space - Lajamanu Yawulyu women perform Warlu Jukurrpa (bushfire dreaming).
Gathering Ground 2 - Dorethea Randall & Allyson Arjibuk Mills (dancers)
1996
Opportunity of Distance - Victoria and NSW tour - Lajamanu Yawulyu women
Ngapa, Two Cultures One Country - Steve Jampijinpa Patrick, Jimmy Jampijinpa Kelly, Henry Jakamarra Cook, Alice Napaljarri Kelly, Judy Napaljarri Walker, Rosie Napurrula Tasman, Myra Nungarrayi Patrick, Molly Napurrula Tasman, Gladys Napangardi Kelly, Maisie Kajanarra Napangardi Granites, Jeannie Napurrula Birrell
1997
4WD Sweat Dust and Romance - Michael Leslie (choreographer) and Stanley Stanislaus (dancer)
Bodies of Light - Gary Lang (dancer and choreographer, The Kiss - Duet with David)
1998
The Land, the Cross and the Lotus - Michael Leslie (choreographer). Stanley Stanislaus, Marian Patterson, Steven Oliver, Yasmion Crawshaw, Matthew Patterson (dancers)
Invisible Heroes - Stanley Stanislaus (dancer)
Interactions - Stanley Stanislaus (dancer)
1999
Walking on Water - Stanley Stanislaus (dancer)
Top of the Tower - Palmerston Performance Project - Allyson Arjibuk Mills (performer), Anthony Johnson (Design Assistant)
Emergence - Richard McLean (Key Artist)
2000
Outside the Camp - Stanley Stanislaus and Allyson Arjibuk Mills (performers /dancers)
Sticks 'n' Stones - Allyson Arjibuk Mills (key artist)
Two Fold Journey - Allyson Arjibuk Mills (performer)
2001
Rivers of the Underground - Torres Strait Island Dancers
Fierce, The Story of Olive Pink - Lajamanu Yawulyu women
Mother Daughter - Torres Strait Island Dancers
2002
Rivers of the Underground (return season) - Torres Strait Island Dancers
Fierce, The Meeting of Olive Pink - Lajamanu Yawulyu women and Lynette Lewis
2003
Janganpa - Janganpa Warlpiri Dancers, Alice Springs
Local - Lajamanu Yawulyu women
2004
Rust - Gary Lang (dancer/choreographer)
Fast - Gary Lang (choreographer)
2005
Angels of Gravity - Lajamanu Yawulyu Ceremonial Dancers
Arafura Games Opening Ceremony - Ali Arjibuk Mills (dancer)
2006
Australian Youth Dance Festival (Horsham, Victoria) - Caleb Japanangka Patrick and Gerard Japanangka Scobie (Youth Dance Leaders)
Mr Big - Caleb Japanangka Patrick and Gerard Japanangka Scobie (dancers)
2008
Lipstick and Ochre - Lajamanu Yawulyu Ceremonial Dancers and Caleb Japanangka Patrick and Gerard Japanangka Scobie (dancers)
Struck - Caleb Japanangka Patrick (dancer)
2009
Endurance - Caleb Japanangka Patrick (dancer)
2010
The Cook, The Queen and The Kelly - Myra Nungarrayi Herbert, Caleb Japanangka Patrick and Gerard Japanangka Scobie (dancers). Their section was based on tall tales we had heard from men in Lajamanu saying the Queen had stolen their sacred Kurdiji symbols to create the Australian coat of arms. This show was shortlisted for the 2010 Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance.
Australian Dance Awards, (Melbourne State Theatre) - Ananais Japaljarri Tasman (Yogi), Corey Jungarrayi Raymond, Richard Japaljarri Payton, Saverio Jungarrayi Jurrah (Sibby), Caleb Japanangka Patrick (Dance Leader), Michaelis Jangala Sampson and Howard Jangala Sampson (Lajamanu youth dancers)
Allure of Paradise - Gary Lang (choreographer), Darren Edwards and Tara Robertson (dancers)
2011
Crocodile Man Pineapple Women - Darren Edwards (dancer)
2012
Eight Eighty (the architecture of age) - Gary Lang (choreographer and dancer), Darren Edwards and Ellen Hankin (dancers)
2013
Zombies in the Banyan Tree - Caleb Japanangka Patrick (dancer) and Damien Murray (kecak)
Future Age - Gary Lang (choreographer and dancer), Darren Edwards and Ellen Hankin (dancers)
2014
You Dance Funny (the sequal) - Damien Murray (performer)
2015
Last Light - Darren Edwards (choreographer)
2016
Landed - Gary Lang (choreographer), Darren Edwards (lead dancer)
2018
Fresh Tracks - Maria Kypreos (dancer) and Sheila Rose (choreographer)
2019
Global Positioning - Darren Edwards, Maria Kypreos and Sheila Rose (dancers)
2020
Homebodies - Sheila Rose
2023
New Light - Gary Lang, Rachael Wallis and Banula Marika (choreographers and dancers)