Courtesy: First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation.
Sydney’s Blak Markets are returning to its spiritual home on Bare Island at La Perouse in the historic fort overlooking Botany Bay. The island is where it all began and the one-day festival kicks off Sunday, August 6, from 10.00 am to 3.00pm.
The lively markets are organised and run quarterly in La Perouse by First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation, with a mission to close the gap for Aboriginal people. The Blak Markets is a social enterprise of First Hand Solutions that provides Indigenous artists, designers and small business owners a live marketplace to showcase their wares. This unique event allows local punters to connect directly with artists and make ethical purchases of authentic Aboriginal products.
“The Blak Markets allow Sydneysiders to shop locally and support a good cause, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going back to Indigenous stallholders,” said Peter Cooley, CEO of First Hand Solutions.
“There is nothing quite like shopping at the Blak Markets, “ Peter said. “Not only do you get to see the art and craft close up but you get to hear the story behind it from the artist who created it. There is also a whole festival program that runs alongside the marketplace including a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, song, dance and weaving workshops just to name a few” Peter added.
This Blak Markets features stallholders selling a variety of art, homewares, jewellery, fashion, children’s clothing, textiles, woodwork, woven goods, plants & bushfoods. You can expect to see and taste homemade baked goods created with Indigenous bush tucker and spices, quality Indigenous skincare products and native plants for the garden from IndigiGrow.
At 11am there will be a Welcome to Country by Aunty Barb Simms and Smoking Ceremony with First Hand Solutions CEO Peter Cooley. Randwick Mayor Cr Dylan Parker will speak on behalf of our partners, Randwick City Council.
The welcome and smoking ceremony will be followed by Aboriginal dance performances by Dinawan’s Connection (traditional Aboriginal dancers from Cowra) at 11.30 am and 1.30pm and singing by Dubbo’s Isaac Compton (Tik Tok star and winner of the Summit) at noon and 2pm. There will also be an interactive weaving workshop for people who enjoy craft from 10.00am until 2.00pm.
The Blak Markets are held quarterly at Bare Island, La Perouse, in Sydney’s southeast. Admission is $2.50 for adults and free for children under five.
