Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » Kindred People Festival 2026: A Jaw-Dropping Celebration of Indigenous Arts, Knowledge, and Creativity in Australia! Published on
October 27, 2025In September 2026, Monash University will host the inaugural Kindred People festival, an event that aims to blend ancient Indigenous wisdom with contemporary creativity. The festival, taking place from 1 to 5 September, will transform the university’s campuses on Kulin Country into vibrant spaces that celebrate Indigenous culture, arts, and knowledge. This unique festival promises to provide a platform for First Nations voices to share their stories, traditions, and wisdom, offering an unforgettable experience for visitors from all over the world.Kindred People is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of the deep connection between the Indigenous communities and their land, showcasing the resilience and creativity of First Nations peoples. The event will highlight the beauty and importance of traditional knowledge while embracing the diversity and energy of modern Indigenous art and culture. It will be an immersive experience of ceremony, creativity, and connection that invites attendees to listen, learn, and engage with the living traditions that continue to thrive in contemporary Australia.Advertisement A Gathering of Communities and CulturesCurated by Tom Molyneux, a Gunditjmara man, and supported by an Indigenous Steering Committee, the festival will bring together a diverse range of artists, Elders, Knowledge Holders, and communities from across the world. These participants will come together to exchange ideas, share cultural practices, and inspire each other to imagine new futures.The festival will be an immersive celebration of First Nations art and ceremony, with a focus on creative expression. It will offer an environment for knowledge exchange, where traditional wisdom is passed on through ceremony, dialogue, and art. Molyneux highlights that Kindred People is a space where Indigenous cultures can both celebrate their histories and embrace contemporary challenges through creativity. This fusion of ancient and modern will offer a unique experience for all visitors, inviting them to engage with and reflect on the ongoing journey of Indigenous peoples.AdvertisementPromoting Indigenous Voices and Creative PracticesProfessor Tristan Kennedy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Senior Vice-President at Monash University, underscores the importance of the festival as part of the university’s commitment to elevating Indigenous voices. He emphasizes that Kindred People will be a dynamic space for the creation and sharing of Indigenous knowledge and creative practices. This aligns with Monash University’s broader goal of fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures and making Indigenous contributions a central part of global discussions on creativity and knowledge.The festival aims to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to celebrate cultural exchange, creative collaboration, and mutual respect. It will serve as a catalyst for the continued empowerment of Indigenous peoples, encouraging all visitors to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the future of Australia’s First Nations cultures.Advertisement Celebrating the Festival’s Spirit Through ArtworkThe visual identity for Kindred People has been crafted in collaboration with Ar …
