First Nations Forward

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First Nations Forward is a research project conducted over in 2023 and 2024 exploring the needs and aspirations of the First Nations creative community of the Bundjalung, Githabul and Yaegl territories. Emerging from yarns with community in recovery from the 2022 flooding events, this self-determined project has been led by First Nations creatives and embedded with First Nations research methodologies.

The research, compiled by Amarina Toby and Mitch King, aimed to create a resource that amplified and mobilised community voices, and that could be used to guide the development of and vision for the First Nations creative sector through identifying challenges and growth opportunities. Gathering and invigorating the First Nations creative community through yarning circles, focus groups, one-on-ones and a survey, this report represents many voices with ancestral connections to this place, and to places afar, of different mediums and forms, at different career stages, of dreams for creativity, for culture and for Country.

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Read the report including the key findings and opportunities here.‍

These priorities and challenges, both new and existing, reflect a post disaster community in recovery.

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“Many Bundjalung families still grapple with the aftermath of the floods and live in temporary accommodations. Some artists have chosen to relocate, while others are bravely re-entering the arts scene, refusing to let these hardships dampen their creative spirit.” – Kylie Caldwell

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PROJECT BACKGROUND

Following the devastating flooding events of February 2022, the Creative Industries of the Northern Rivers region gathered in July of the same year to lay the foundations for a sector-led approach to recovery.  

Delivered by Arts Northern Rivers (ANR), the Creative Industries Recovery Forum addressed impacts of isolation, creative business atrophy and positive regional futures. With many creatives asking the question; “where to now?”, the Forum aimed to bring the creative community together, revitalise cohorts and networks and support the Northern Rivers on its path towards a thriving future.  

One of the groups sessions was led by First Nations creatives Mitch King and Amarina Toby to unpack and capture the needs and dreams of community on Bundjalung Country. In response to this, ANR commissioned Mitch and Amarina to facilitate research that captured the priorities of the First Nations creatives industries.  First Nations Forward emerged to expand the discussion from the Forum to ascertain needs and aspirations from across the Bundjalung Nation.  

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Video: Mitch King and Amarina Toby with support from Workbydom