A weekend of Aboriginal culture, creators and tours in Broken Hill

Published on 24 March 2023

On Saturday 15 April, Blak Markets will run its inaugural event in Broken Hill/ Wilyakali at Sturt Park in partnership with the Aboriginal communities of the Far West, Blak Markets gives visitors the chance to shop local and support a good cause, with 100% of all profits going back into enriching Aboriginal communities.

Blak Markets will kick off with a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at 10am on Saturday 15 April, with multiple Indigenous dances, singing performances, and hand-ons weaving workshops throughout the day.

Blak Markets will feature 20 unique Indigenous Australian stalls selling a range of authentic and handmade artworks, bushfood, jewellery and homewares. It’s the perfect opportunity to grab a meaningful gift for yourself and loved ones while celebrating Aboriginal makers, artists and small business owners.

On the Sunday 16 April following the Markets and ending Broken Hill Heritage week, there will be several tours and workshops on offer with tours to Mendindee with Wontanella tours and Mutawintji with Kulluwirru Dreaming tours and an artefact making workshop with local artist Clinton Kemp in Broken Hill.

Peter Cooley, CEO of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation who runs the Blak Markets says “The Blak Markets is a wonderful way to connect with Blak businesses directly, build relationships with the local community and learn about Indigenous culture. You can do this with the peace of mind you are supporting 100% Indigenous-owned and operated enterprises, which in turn are helping our industries to increase economic opportunities and build generational wealth for future generations. The tours on the Sunday provide visitors the opportunity for a real weekend of celebration of Aboriginal culture happening in and around Broken Hill.”

According to Clair Bates, one of the longest standing Aboriginal stallholders in NSW who has been part of the Blak Markets and National Indigenous Art Fair in Sydney, this is a first for the Far West.

“The Blak Markets coming to the Far West will create a platform for our indigenous artists to show how they can produce their products and get them to the wider community,” Clair said. “This platform will help to share and connect people to our indigenous culture and language and the meaning of our work. It's a great opportunity to share the talent of our artists to greater Australia and hopefully it will be an encouragement to our upcoming generations of young artists.”

The Blak Markets in Broken Hill is supported by the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program

For further information please call Sarah Martin on 0499 252 599 or [email protected]

Blak Markets full program: Saturday 15th April ● 10am: Welcome to Country ● All day Weaving workshop Malyalari/Aunty Clair Bates ● 10.30am: Barkindji Baaka Dance Group ● 11.00am: Back Tracks Band ● 12:30pm: Paakantji Dancers ● 2pm: Black Shadows Band ● 4pm: Markets close

Aboriginal tour program in and around Broken Hill - Sunday 16th April

1) Wontanella tour of the Menindee - Leaves from Menindee at 9am 2) Mutawintji Heritage tour: Bus leaves Broken Hill 7.30am 3) Make your own bullroarer workshop,Amanya Mitha Indigenous Arts 10 am - 12.30pm, Broken Hill

Blak Markets The Blak Markets are an established, ethical Indigenous market and social enterprise that celebrates the work of Indigenous small business owners. They are a great opportunity to purchase authentic and unique gifts, knowing that 100% of the profits go back into Aboriginal communities. Get the chance to meet the stall holders who are creating authentic, original and affordable Aboriginal artworks, beauty products, jewellery and unique homewares.

Wontanella Wontanella is the Barkindji word for many waters, is the word associated with the many waters that make up the natural waterways of Menindee and is located in south-west New South Wales on the Baaka (Darling River). Whether it be a tour of Barkindji bush medicine and food plants that sustained us for millennia; viewing artefacts on country where they were left following colonisation, appreciating the landscape, animals and birds or walking the lands as my ancestors did; we cover it all.

Kulluwirru Dreaming Bus Tour Bus will leave Broken Hill at approx 7.30am where you will be shuttled to Mutawintji, enjoy a 2 ½-3 hrs exclusive tour of the restricted access Historic Site with an audio/visual dreamtime story of Kulluwirru (an Ancient Ancestor God), with superb Rock Engravings and Ochre Stencils to feast your eyes upon Returning to Broken Hill at approx 4pm.

Amanya Mitha Gallery is home to works from artists from the Outer West as well as by artist /owner Clinton Kemp of the Dieri people. The gallery showcases paintings, wood carvings, didgeridoos, jewellery and wooden bowls, crafted using various wood from the local region and traditional techniques passed down by Kemp’s ancestors.It also features an exhibition of Dieri art and artefacts with a history of this unique style from Lake Eyre region South Australia.