A JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE BLAKSTAGEalliance

A JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE
BLAKSTAGEalliance – the National Indigenous Theatre Network.

The BLAKSTAGEalliance supports the authentic voice of Indigenous performing cultures in Australia. We recognise the protocol and respect for our nations in the telling of our stories. We acknowledge that Indigenous performance is a 60,000year old artform and with this comes a strong connection to great traditions, innovations and practices, which stand as a testament and celebration of living Indigenous culture.

Through a process that has been non-consultative and non-transparent, we have been made aware of the move by an individual to impose a NATIONAL INDIGENOUS THEATRE COMPANY on the Indigenous arts landscape and at the expense of the existing BLAKSTAGE sector. Let it be known that the BLAKSTAGEalliance does NOT support a National Indigenous Theatre Company.

We will NOT be forced to accept an agenda which seeks to:

– Exploit our Indigenous performing cultures.

– Undermine the value of our sector.

– Pillage and plunder the cannon of Indigenous work that our companies have produced.

– Desecrate Indigenous protocol and respect.

– Further the self-interests of individuals over the National Indigenous community.

– Pull the financial resources away from initiatives and opportunities which benefit the WHOLE BLAKSTAGE community.

– Compromise our self-determination.

With over 800 Indigenous Nations within Australia, it is clearly apparent that one company is not adequate nor appropriate. What works, is the support and development of existing and future Indigenous determined companies across State borders, to enable Indigenous Australians to continue to tell their own stories.

February 25-29th 2008, the BLAKSTAGEalliance will come together on Kaurna Country in Adelaide to celebrate our Indigenous Performing Cultures. Standing together in unity at the Australian Performing Arts Market, we will commemorate this event with the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the founding companies of the BLAKSTAGEalliance. We encourage all Brothas and Sistas who have dedicated their pathway to the BLAKSTAGE sector, to come together and celebrate with us, and participate in a dialogue so that we can collectively determine our needs to ensure our future will remain For US, By US – to share with the world.

Signed: YIRRA YAAKIN [WA], BARU KADAL [NT], ILBIJERRI [VIC], KOOEMBA JDARRA [QLD], KURRURU [SA]