Kinship and Connection - NAISDA Dance CollegeNAISDA Dance College

What is Kinship & Connection?

Kinship and Connection is an engaging program of creative and cultural workshops for First Nations high school students and young people on Darkinjung Country. It is delivered by NAISDA, in partnership with six Central Coast high schools, Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi Aboriginal Corporation and Mingaletta Aboriginal Corporation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and community who have already attended a NAISDA Youth Dance and Culture Workshop and wish to continue to a higher level of engagement with NAISDA, are invited to submit a brief expression of interest (below) to join the Kinship and Connection Intensive Program. This is a free program which will be held over several weeks at the NAISDA studios at Kariong.

The workshops will be held on Saturdays from mid-October until early December. The program will also include an on Country experience with Uncle Gavi Duncan, sharing knowledge and exploring local Aboriginal sites.

Participants will be mentored as a Performance Group by NAISDA graduates Neville Williams Boney and Aroha Pehi to build on the work from the original workshop program and create an Indigenous Contemporary Dance Showing. The dance work will be performed at three different venues across Darkinjung Country to community, friends, family and audiences.

Expressions of Interest close: Friday 8 September 2023.

Find out more in the Kinship and Connection flyer.

NAISDA Intensive Workshops

On Country Experience – With Uncle Gavi Duncan
When: date to be confirmed
Details: Snacks + Lunch provided + Transport from NAISDA
Delivered by: NAISDA, Uncle Gavi Duncan

NAISDA – Saturday Workshop, Kariong
When: Saturday 28 October, 9am to 4pm
Details: Light snacks provided
Delivered by: Neville Williams Boney and Aroha Pehi

NAISDA – Saturday workshop, Kariong
When: Saturday 4 November, 9am to 4pm
Details: Light snacks provided
Delivered by: Grant Molony, Neville Williams Boney and Aroha Pehi

NAISDA – Saturday workshop, Kariong
When: Saturday 11 November, 9am to 4pm
Details: Light snacks provided
Delivered by: Neville Williams Boney and Aroha Pehi

GNL performance, Wyong
When: Saturday 18 November, 9am to set up/rehearse 10am to 12pm community performance
Details: morning tea provided

Barang Youth Summit performance, Point Woolstencroft
When: Friday 24 – Sunday 26 November
Details: 25 Saturday – time TBC. Performance only – attendance for the Youth Summit must be organised through Barang
Delivered by: Barang Regional Alliance

NAISDA half day Saturday Workshop, Kariong
When: Saturday 2 December, 9am to 1pm
Details: Light snacks provided
Delivered by: Neville Williams Boney and Aroha Pehi

NAISDA end of year Performance, Kariong
When: Week commencing Monday 4 December, time TBC
Delivered by: NAISDA

Kinship and Connection EOI

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and community who have already attended a NAISDA Youth Dance and Culture Workshop and wish to continue to a higher level of engagement with NAISDA, are invited to submit a brief expression of interest to join the Kinship and Connection Intensive Program.

Name(Required)

First Last

Name of parent or guardian(Required)

First Last

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Age(Required)

School(Required)

School year(Required)

Are you available for the full duration of the NAISDA intensive?(Required)

If not, please indicate the dates you are unable to attend.

Are you performing at Starstruck this year?(Required)

Would transport to NAISDA be required? (transport may be offered from a central point to Kariong and return)(Required)

In a few words, tell us about yourself, your interests, why you would like to be part of the NAISDA dance intensive?(Required)

Meet The Kinship and Connection Artists

Grant Molony
Leading visual artist Grant Molony calls the natural environment and family his biggest sources of inspiration. He strives to portray a connection and emotion in his art. Art is a medium which can inspire and connect community through an unspoken language. Instilling a sense of identity, respect and ownership. Grant is a proud Guringai man born and raised on the Darkinjung Land of the Central Coast.
Aroha Pehi
Aroha is a proud Taribelang, Kuku-Yalanji, Ngapuhi and Ngatiporou woman from South-East Queensland. Graduating NAISDA in 2018, she has gone on to pursue a career in the independent arts scene. She co-founded Lost All Sorts Collective to tell the stories and political issues of young First Nations people, from young First Nations people, to bring conversations to the things that matter.
Neville Williams Boney
A proud Wiradjuri/Weilwan man from Wagga Wagga, Neville is a 2018 NAISDA graduate. As an independent, interdisciplinary artist, Neville’s projects include Collaborator for Phunktional’s Beyond The Wall, Associate Producer for Sydney Festival 2023, Artist in Residence at Evans High School for Solid Ground 2022 and touring with The Song Company representing Karul Projects in Arms Of Love 2022. Neville has most recently choreographed Jopuka’s Production of American Idiot, 2023.

For more information

Program and Community Coordinator
Email: pacc@naisda.com.au
Phone: 02 4340 3116

Kinship and Connection is a Community and Place Project funded through Aboriginal Affairs NSW.