3 June 2023 – Burnley Circus Park, Naarm – words and pictures by Nicole Smith-Walker
On Saturday the 3rd of June, Mabo Day, I headed to the Burnley Circus Park for my first Treaty Day Out, an event run by the First People’s Assembly of Victoria. It’s a momentous and historic day in celebrating the last day for mob to vote for Victoria’s Treaty elections. I was excited and also nervous. I knew I’d be photographing some incredible and talented First Nations artists and I wanted to do well for them.
Burnley Circus Park, is traditionally a gathering place and holds a Corroboree Tree, which previously someone has tried to burn down. It’s still standing strong today, and that only emphasises the importance of this event and the work of the First People’s Assembly of Victoria to ensure that Indigenous people are still are as strong as ever.
There were food trucks, a space to vote (the Treaty Elections), market stalls from Indigenous businesses and Metro handed out gift bags (as they were the Transport Partner) and a table for people to create their own traditional weaving pieces.
The event begun with a traditional Welcome to Country from Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional owner Uncle Bill Nicholson. A fire was in the middle between the two stages. Everyone went up to the smoke to breathe in and cleanse themselves with the smoke. Uncle said that helps everyone feel safe. Then we had a second Welcome to Country with a special performance from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Djirri Djirri dancers.
The lineup included Madi Coalville-Walker, Alice Skye, MARLON X RULLA, Scott Darlow, Nooky, Dan Sultan, Electric Fields, Jessica Mauboy, Thelma Plum and Yothu Yindi! Also, triple j Unearthed winner Miss Kaninna. I spotted DJ Soju Gang on stage with Nooky which excited me for their set.
All the artists come from a variety of different mobs – strong in their identities, in who they are, their culture and communities, and it reflects in their music, their lyrics and how passionately they performed and their support for each other. Expressing the trauma, the triumphs, the confidence and pride in being Indigenous and not allowing past and current injustices prevent them from creating and sharing their talents.
The most special moment of the event was witnessing Electric Fields and seeing their vocalist of the duo, Zaachariaha, point out two beautiful aunties in the crowd and inviting them up on stage. They danced, while Zaachariaha sung in language and I had to hold in my tears while taking photos. Also seeing Zaachariaha and Michael Ross connect throughout their performance – the smiles and the true joy of working together on stage. It was so thrilling to hear the whole crowd singing along to their covers of ‘The Rhythm of the Night’ and ‘Coco Jambo’.
As part of the lineup, we had a performance from the triple j Unearthed winner – Miss Kaninna. Expect massive things from this artist. She brought so much energy to an incredibly powerful performance – using her powerful voice, lyrics of empowerment and dancing. I loved ‘Blak Britney’ a song to empower Indigenous women – with lyrics “Government said I would fail, mmm. But still I prevail”.
As a massive Rap and Hip-Hop fan, Nooky really impressed me and ‘Blackfellas’ was my favourite song of the night. It was aggressive and a call out for First Peoples “Local Knowledge Rise Up Rise Up, Downunder Rise Up Rise Up, All the murries, all the koori, all the goories, can you hear me? All the nyoongahs, all the nungas, all the bama, can you hear us, all the wongii, all the yamagees, all the murridees, can you handle these, to the Torres Strait, and the Palewa, To the Anangu, to the Yolngu”. I enjoyed seeing Soju Gang for the first time, DJing for Nooky.
A great moment was during Jessica Mauboy’s performance. She made some beautiful children’s day by holding their hands, waving to them and then recorded part of her performance on a fans phone. She also pulled up Zaachariaha from Electric Fields to dance during her set.
The last and final part of the event was the headliners – Yothu Yindi – they left me speechless and in awe the whole performance. The crowd witnessed traditional dancing, Yidakis, clapsticks, songs in language and of course one of the most well-known songs in music history of Australia, ‘Treaty’. It’s has been on repeat in my mind ever since.
Thank you to The First People’s Assembly of Victoria for such a well-run and incredible day and evening and for the work in advocating and fighting for Treaty in Victoria. And thank you to every performer and staff behind the scenes for putting on amazing show. I will never forget it.
