First Nations Cultural Centres considered for Cairns and Brisbane

The Queensland Government has announced they will consider a new First Nations Cultural Centre for Far North Queensland based in Cairns, along with leading the development of a business case to progress the First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane.

It is envisaged that the First Nations Cultural Centres in Cairns and Brisbane will act as hubs, connecting with First Nations communities across the state, including the network of Indigenous Art Centres and other significant sites and locations throughout Queensland.

The announcement comes as the historic Path to Treaty bill passes Parliament, held regionally in Cairns.

The vision for these First Nations Cultural Centres is to showcase and celebrate the rich history, unique stories and truth telling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Dedicated First Nations Cultural Centres will bring communities and cultures together and foster long-term social and economic benefits including creating jobs, training and employment opportunities for First Nations Peoples across the state.

A Cairns Centre could also act as a significant regional link connecting into the proposed First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane and would share and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, cultures and heritage from across Far North Queensland to larger audiences.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk advised “Cairns is an ideal home for a new First Nations Cultural Centre – it is a gateway to the reef and the rainforest, both of which flourish under the custodianship of our First Nations people.”

QLD Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch added “Australia is home to two of the oldest living continuous cultures in the world, with Queensland uniquely home to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, country, history and heritage.

“Establishing First Nations Cultural Centres in Brisbane and in Cairns will help showcase important stories from across the state, and provide opportunities to share the richness of cultures unique to Queensland.

“The centres would be places where Queensland’s past can be truthfully acknowledged, where the diverse stories of First Nations peoples from across the state can be represented and where the journey towards a more inclusive future can be supported.

“The Queensland Government will commence procurement to secure a First Nations lead to develop a framework to guide consultation and other packages of work to deliver the business case for the Cairns First Nations Cultural Centre, alongside the First Nations Cultural Centre to be positioned in Brisbane as part of our state’s cultural precinct.”

“First Nation-led engagement with Traditional Owners and Indigenous arts and cultural stakeholders across Queensland remains a priority throughout the consideration of the business case development for the First Nations Cultural Centres.”

Progression of the First Nations Cultural Centres in Cairns and Brisbane deliver key priorities of the Creative Together 2020-2030 10-year roadmap to renew and transform the state though arts, culture and creativity, and also deliver on the State’s tourism industry strategy, Towards Tourism 2032.

Image. Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland