Brisbane City Council has a variety of programs which acknowledge and value the unique contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to the city. Developed in partnership with Brisbane’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, these programs support economic and cultural development for local communities and provide opportunities for everyone to engage with and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.

Acknowledgement of Country

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We acknowledge and respect the spiritual relationship between Traditional Custodians and this Country, which has inspired language, songs, dances, lore and dreaming stories over many thousands of years. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.

May we continue to peacefully walk together in gratitude, respect and kindness in caring for this Country and one another.

Featured

Reconciliation Action Plan

Council’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan is the next step in our ongoing commitment to working with Brisbane’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as we continue our journey toward reconciliation.

Indigenous Art Program

An annual, city-wide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art program celebrated through visual art showcase and discussion. Featuring emerging to established artists.

Gathering

Gathering showcases Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performances in the Queen Street Mall. Unique to Brisbane, it is the only Indigenous performance in Australia that is featured weekly in the heart of a major capital city.

Black Diamonds Community Partnership Assistance Scheme

This scheme supports and partners with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations to deliver events/projects as identified by their community.

Discover events and programs 

Watch our video and see how Council is creating opportunities for everyone to engage with and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples as we make Brisbane an accessible and inclusive city for all.

You can also view this video on Council's YouTube channel.

Video transcript

This is a transcript of the video on Council's YouTube channel: 'Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Brisbane',  featuring Brisbane City Council’s programs and initiatives. This video is nearly 2 minutes and 30 seconds long.

[Acknowledgment of Country]

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians.

We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.

May we continue to peacefully walk together in gratitude, respect and kindness in caring for this Country and one another.

>>JILL ROBINSON: Brisbane was founded on the lands of the oldest continuing cultures on earth; cultures that are an intrinsic part of our thriving, modern city.

Brisbane City Council is dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to engage with and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples as we make Brisbane an accessible and inclusive city for all.

We’ve been working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to offer programs and events to showcase culture.

… to showcase history.

… to showcase people.

… and to showcase achievements.

Our aim is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to bring these ancient cultures to the forefront of life in Brisbane.

Programs like Black History Month, which runs through July each year, offering experiences from family fun days, dance, art tours, exhibitions, and more.

… and the Indigenous Art Program; an annual celebration of some of the most widely recognised artists and stories.

Events like ‘Gathering’ in Queen Street Mall, which remains the only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performance happening weekly in the heart of a major capital city in Australia.

… and the Black Diamonds Community Partnership Scheme, supporting opportunities for young people to elders, to participate in local cultural learning activities.

Look around our city and you’ll find artwork by Goreng Goreng artist Rachael Sarra and Quandamooka/Nunukul woman Casey Coolwell integrated into our public transport.

Share in stories, songs, rhymes and play with your little ones during First 5 Forever Jarjum Storytime at Council libraries.

And explore native plants and symbolic totems on the bushland trails at Boondall Wetlands to uncover the historical significance of the area.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and traditions are an important part of the social and economic life of Brisbane and are for everyone to learn about, experience, and enjoy.

Get to know your city better by getting involved in these and many more of Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and events today.

Featured events

Wed 20 Mar 2024, 10:30am
Free

Share in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, songs, rhymes and interactive play activities. Ideal for children aged five years and younger. The First...

Brisbane Square Library, 266 George Street, Brisbane City

Wed 20 Mar 2024, 12:00pm
Free

Gathering present coolthekid. With multiple musical endeavours behind him, this new project sees Australian based artist, coolthekid, deliver a sound that has...

Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City

Wed 27 Mar 2024, 11:15am
Free

Share in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, songs, rhymes and interactive play activities. Ideal for children aged 0-5 years. The First 5 Forever...

Wynnum Library, 145 Florence Street, Wynnum

Wed 27 Mar 2024, 12:00pm
Free

Gathering presents Bingkin Ngugi (Dean Tyson). Bingkin Ngugi (Dean Tyson) is a Mundu (didgeridoo) musician/song man and celebrated Goori Artist. Sharing with...

Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City

Wed 3 Apr 2024, 12:00pm
Free

Gathering presents Chris Tamwoy. Chris Tamwoy is an award winning First Nations Australian singer, songwriter and musician with both Eastern and Western Torres...

Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City

Sat 6 Apr 2024, 10:30am
Free

Share in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, songs, rhymes and interactive play activities. Ideal for children aged five years and younger. The First...

Bracken Ridge Library, 77 Bracken Street, Bracken Ridge

Wed 10 Apr 2024, 12:00pm
Free

Gathering presents Delvene Cockatoo-Collins. Delvene Cockatoo-Collins is a Quandamooka woman and artist who lives and works on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke...

Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City

Wed 17 Apr 2024, 10:30am
Free

Share in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, songs, rhymes and interactive play activities. Ideal for children aged five years and younger. The First...

Brisbane Square Library, 266 George Street, Brisbane City

Wed 17 Apr 2024, 12:00pm
Free

Gathering presents Belac James. From the age of nine, Belac James, or Caleb James Southwood, has been working on his beats and lyrics. Now, as a solo R&B and...

Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City

Last updated:

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.