2024 - Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships - PROGRAM
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
EVENT PARTNERS
WELCOME FROM THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT
The Queensland Government is proud to support the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships.
This is much more than a showcase for the awesome skills of some of the best rodeo competitors in the country, along with great family entertainment and music.
The work undertaken by Isa Rodeo Limited and the Mona Aboriginal Corporation is strengthening Mount Isa community relationships, growing economic benefits, driving social change and elevating Queensland’s reputation for exceptional and unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events and experiences.
For these reasons, the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships deservedly won the Partnership Award at the 2024 Queensland Reconciliation Awards.
In only two years, this event has doubled in size, employing 65 First Nations contractors while expanding its cultural entertainment program.
The Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships are a celebration of First Nations cultures, connecting more than 65,000 years of Queensland history to the modern day.
The Queensland Government is committed to reframing the relationship with First Nations peoples through the Path to Treaty, which focuses our efforts towards reconciliation and delivering equality and opportunity.
Steven Miles MP Premier of Queensland
The Hon. Michael Healy MP Minister for Tourism and Sport
Leeanne Enoch MP
Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts
WELCOME TO MOUNT ISA FROM GLENCORE ZINC ASSETS AUSTRALIA CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
We’re proud to once again sponsor the Indigenous Rodeo Championships to showcase the skills of Indigenous entrants and create opportunities for Indigenous youth to train and become professional rodeo competitors.
The traditional owners, the Kalkadoon People, are proud and passionate traditional custodians of the Mount Isa region. They are renowned stockmen who have helped to shape the region as cattle grazing country. As a founding sponsor of the event, Mount Isa Mines is proud to make a positive and lasting contribution across the region.
As a resources company operating on Kalkadoon country for 100 years, we have the utmost respect for the Traditional Owners, the Elders and Indigenous cultural heritage and connections to country. Mount Isa Mines offers local Indigenous Australians a pathway from the community into our operations through a fully-supported Indigenous Employment Program.
Mount Isa Mines is pleased to support an event that highlights the skills of Indigenous competitors on the rodeo circuit.
Good luck to all and enjoy the 2024 Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo.
Sam Strohmayr Chief Operating Officer –Glencore Zinc Assets Australia
WELCOME FROM ISA RODEO LIMITED
The creation of the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships is a partnership with Mona Aboriginal Corporation, and has been designed as a stand-alone event with its own unique event personality and vision. It’s designed to shine a spotlight on Indigenous rodeo athletes, giving greater visibility to their skills and the stories of learning these skills through generations.
This is our third year producing this event and we know that it is a ‘must do’ event in Outback Queensland. A unique blend of rodeo sport and cultural celebration, it’s an opportunity for us all to come together and support our Indigenous competitors and to celebrate the Kalkutungu people and visiting communities.
Acknowledging the heritage of Buchanan Park as a ceremonial dancing site, the main arena is referred to as Kalkadoon Arena and the traditional owners of this north west region, the Kalkutungu people will officially open the Rodeo with a Welcome to Country and dance performances from local performers and invited dancers.
We thank everyone on this journey with us, our event partners, the competitors, our volunteers, our local community, the Isa Rodeo Board and the entire Isa Rodeo team, including staff, contractors, judges, officials and performers, as we work together towards creating another iconic Mount Isa event.
We are thrilled to be part of the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships in Mount Isa, an event that honours the profound history of Indigenous peoples in the cattle industry. Indigenous individuals have played a crucial and remarkable role in the formation and operation of this industry at various levels. Of particular note is the significant contribution of Indigenous stockmen and women, whose skills have nurtured and cultivated an industry deeply intertwined with our traditional lands.
While recognising that the interaction between Indigenous peoples and the cattle industry hasn’t always been without challenges, it is undeniable that Indigenous communities have across generations possessed skills that encapsulate the allure and essence of a Western lifestyle while maintaining an unbroken connection to their ancestral lands.
At the Mona Aboriginal Corporation, our vision is centred around empowering the youth of today for a brighter tomorrow. As a 100% Indigenous-owned and operated corporation with our entire staff and volunteers being of Indigenous descent, we are steadfast in our commitment to empowering our Indigenous community for the long term.
By partnering with Isa Rodeo Limited we recognise the immense value in collaborating to create increased opportunities for Indigenous youth, businesses and community aspirations. Moreover we are dedicated to establishing genuine pathways for training and employment within the event industry, specifically tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of Indigenous youth.
We extend our sincerest well-wishes to all the competitors participating in this event and express our heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors, volunteers, community members, government organisations and workers whose invaluable contributions have been instrumental in making this inaugural event an outstanding success. Together we are shaping a future that embraces unity, resilience and the spirit of achievement.
Patrick Cooke CEO, Mona Aboriginal Corporation
In 2024 we celebrate 100 years of Mount Isa Mines and 65 years of Isa Rodeo
Proudly supporting Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships
Stunning Artwork FROM ALYSHA BLACKLEY
This year, imagery for the 2024 Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships has been created by 19-year-old Kalkadoon artist Alysha Blackley.
The stunning artwork will feature across event posters, merchandise, on shirts and becomes part of the image history of the event. She joins Sheree Blackley who created the inaugural branding, and Cungelella Art who created last year’s artwork. With an artist mother, Alysha has been immersed in creativity since she was young. Her art is digital and she said her artistic expression combines traditional First Nations artwork and symbols together with contemporary art mediums. “Being a Kalkutungu woman I have felt privileged to design on my traditional lands for the people
living here. I have been creating digital art as a hobby now for about two years and I’m hoping to continue.”
Growing up, Alysha’s life has been an immersion of culture. A proud Kalkutungu Marapai (Kalkutungu Woman) born and raised on the traditional lands of her people, Alysha has inspired other young people to connect to their identities as First Nations peoples. Alysha is a senior member of the Sundowners Kalkutungu Dancers and an advocate for the revitalisation of the Kalkutungu language Alysha is an inspiring young First Nations leader for the next generation.
JESSE WILSON Local Craft
This year, Isa Rodeo Limited commissioned Kalkadoon artist Jesse Wilson to create a unique piece to represent the 2024 Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships. Jesse’s stunning Yidaki will feature as part of this year’s Opening Ceremony.
My name is Jesse Wilson and I am a Kalkutungu Yurru (Kalkadoon Man), my heritage and culture is that of the Kalkadoon people of North West Queensland surrounding region of Australia.
I run my own business creating Didgeridoos and other Aboriginal artefacts. I am also a cultural performer with the Sundowners (Kalkutungu Dancers) based on Kalkutungu Country (Mount Isa) where I currently live.
The name of my business is JW Didgeridoos, standing for Jesse Wilson Didgeridoos and I have been successfully running my business for 6 years as a sole trader. I have sold my product all across Australia and have International sales in America, Norway, Canada and France.
I have learned the art of the Yidaki (Didgeridoo) making from a good friend that I grew up with and call Brother. His skills have been inherently handed down over several generations.
I have used mixed techniques and various styles to form my own unique Yidakis and associated artwork, whilst respecting our region’s diversity of styles and art.
My inherent right to make, craft and paint Yidakis and other artefacts to
sell commercially is culturally appropriate and you can be assured that they are 100% authentic whilst also being unique in style and fashion.
My Elders are proud of my talents and skills and have afforded me their blessing in undertaking this business venture and I thank and respect them and those who have handed down to me this long line of cultural knowledge.
My number one goal is to set a platform for all First Nation Indigenous Artists to be well known on a World Wide Scale.
KALKUTUNGU (KALKADOON) COUNTRY
North West Queensland’s rodeo and cattle industry was built upon the foundations laid by the Kalkutungu people across the rugged and ancient country of the Mount Isa region. Since the early 1900s when forced removal and displacement of Indigenous people began, it was local cattle stations where many Kalkutungu families were placed. During these times of segregation and loss of culture, Kalkutungu men and women were forced into poorly paid and often unpaid work on these stations. However, despite the immense loss of identity felt by the Kalkutungu people, the passion for station work was formed and the legacy of Indigenous stockmen and women in the northwest was created. Kalkutungu presence within North West Queensland’s rodeo and cattle industry continues to grow to this day, with many descendants of the original Kalkutungu stockmen and women now running local stations and competing on the rodeo circuit.
Alongside the need to continue legacies within the rodeo and cattle industries, the need to continue the legacy of Kalkutungu culture stands just as prominent. During the Stolen Generations many other Kalkutungu were sent to Aboriginal missions off country, most commonly, Palm Island and Yarrabah. Despite being forcibly removed from their country, the Kalkutungu fought hard to continue their culture and would go on to earn the name ‘Sundowners’ by others during their time on Palm Island due to their connections being to the west where the sun would set. Today the legacy of the Kalkutungu people and original Sundowners is carried on through the revival of Kalkutungu culture through dance and language, by the Sundowners Kalkutungu dancers, who pay homage to their namesakes by actively continuing the fight of their ancestors by sharing Kalkutungu culture which many had given their life to protect.
QUEENSLAND RECONCILIATION AWARDS 2024
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Queensland Government for the Partnership Award at the 2024 Queensland Reconciliation Awards, recognising the collaborative efforts of Isa Rodeo Limited and Mona Aboriginal Corporation in bringing the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships to fruition.
The idea for the Indigenous Rodeo Championships began to take shape when Mona Aboriginal Corporation brought a group of young Aboriginal youth from their ‘On-Country Program’ (aimed at young repeat offenders) to assist and showcase the behind-the-scenes operations during the 2021 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo event.
Following this initial involvement, a partnership evolved into a dedicated effort to highlight Indigenous rodeo athletes celebrating their skills and generational knowledge. The Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships aims to spotlight these talents not only to families but also to broader Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities while providing a culturally safe platform for up and coming Indigenous rodeo athletes.
Our partnership aims to go beyond being a sporting event as we envision this initiative enriching lives and communities in multiple ways. This includes supporting Indigenous rodeo athletes in demonstrating their skills and pursuing career paths, showcasing Indigenous local artists and businesses alongside sports personalities and facilitating the exchange of diverse cultures and interests.
Winner Partnership category
Our plans extend beyond traditional rodeo sports to establish a standalone Indigenous event that attracts visitors globally. Our vision working together aims to create a lasting impact in the north west region.
A big thank you to all our supporters, sponsors and community. Without your support this event would not be possible.
Thank you.
Isa Rodeo Limited and Mona Aboriginal Corporation
presented to Isa Rodeo Limited and Mona Aboriginal Corporation for Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships
KIAKATI
This year we welcome a significant new experience - Kiakati (key-ah-kar-tee), an Indigenous Arts and Culture Precinct to the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships and the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
Kiakati is hosted in partnership with long time rodeo collaborator and First Nations
KALKUTUNGU LANGUAGE
KIAKATI PROGRAM
puthut nyini welcome puthut nyini hello kurlukurlu/nyini nangi kurlukurlu goodbye/I’ll see you later arraka nyini ingka where are you going? nyini ingkami ngai kunti-kunha I’m going home kuntu no ngaa yes nhani nyini ipal what is your name? ngau come here ilya today wartanganha tomorrow martu mother kurla father thapu brother puwa sister manamana sky
THURSDAY 8TH AUGUST
4.00pm........ Art Exhibition
4.30pm Official Opening of Kiakati
5.00pm ........ Live music on stage 5.30pm ........ Close
FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST & SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST
9.00am Art Exhibition Opens
10-12pm ....... Artist-In-Residence
Cameron Leon
10.00am ...... Traditional Aboriginal Weaving Workshop
Sheree Blackley
12.00pm ...... Live Music on stage
1.00pm ......... Artist-In-Residence
Cameron Leon
3.00pm ........ Learn to dance with Sundowners Kalkutungu
Dance Group
4.00pm........ Traditional Aboriginal Weaving Workshop Sheree Blackley
5.00pm ........ Live Music on stage
6.00pm Kiakati closes
SUNDAY 11TH AUGUST
9.00am Art Exhibition opens
10.00am ...... Artist-In-Residence
Cameron Leon
11.00am........ Live Music on stage
12.00pm Kids learn to dance with Sundowners Kalkutungu
Dance Group
Scan the code for more examples and to listen to how the words are pronounced 50words.online/ languages/Kalkutungu
1.00pm ......... Artist-In-Residence
Cameron Leon
3.00pm ........ Live Music on stage 4.00pm Kiakati closes
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
CHRISTINE ANU
Christine Anu is one of Australia’s most popular recording artists and performers of all time who uses her voice and reputation to spread a message of unity and hope. With 17 ARIA nominations, including the APRA AMCOS awardwinning My Island Home and her platinum album Stylin’Up, she has one of the country’s most enduring and recognisable voices.
Christine has and will always be proud of her Torres Strait Islander heritage and at any given opportunity will use her public profile as a platform to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and others from marginalised backgrounds. Christine is a prominent voice of multicultural Australia.
Her eagerly awaited album, Waku, is a collaborative masterpiece produced by her longtime musical ally, David Bridie. Waku unfolds as a poignant narrative, delving into the stories of Christine’s culturally rich heritage.
KASEY CHAMBERS
Music seems to be a part of Kasey Chambers’ DNA. With 12 award winning albums under her belt since the release of The Captain in 1999, Kasey’s brilliant song writing and world-class performances have earned her a rightful position on the global country artist stage. Often described as a genre-defying singer and songwriter, she wears the honesty of country music on her sleeve and has become one of the most popular and acclaimed artists of her generation in Australia, while winning a devoted cult following in the rest of the world.
In 2018 Kasey’s exceptional career was honoured by being the youngest female ever to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the youngest inductee to the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown.
Kasey and her band will play all of her much-loved songs from The Captain and Barricades & Brickwalls all the way through her career to now, in a festival
SUNDOWNERS KALKUTUNGU DANCE GROUP
Beginning back in 2015 as the Sundowners Kalkutungu Dancers, when performers and cultural mentors Ronaldo Guivarra, Arthur “Turtle” Tamwoy, Nicole Willis, Jonathon Owens and Quinto Calarco travelled out to Mount Isa to deliver cultural dance workshops to local Aboriginal children and adults, organised by Malkarri Cultural Centre Secretary, Sheree Blackley. The Sundowners Kalkutungu Dancers are advocates for culture to be in the forefront of every aspect of the Mount Isa community. Malkarri meaning ‘come together to corroboree’ has seen the group implement a Board of Directors, made up of Kalkutungu Elders. These Elders bring the knowledge and experience needed to continue their authentic and unique cultural work and help reiterate the importance of intergenerational sharing. They are proud to continue their cultural work in and around the Mount Isa community and are thankful for the ongoing support of their professional partnerships, families and Kalkutungu tribe.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
KOMET TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ART AND CULTURE GROUP
KTSIAC are a Torres Strait Islander Family Group based in Townsville, Queensland Australia, who preserves, maintains and promotes Traditional Meriam Torres Strait Islander Culture through dance performances, arts & craft and traditional catering. This knowledge has been passed down from Generations of Meriam Elders of Mer Island Torres Strait. The Group’s founder Mr Aicey Day has been instructing and demonstrating Meriam Culture in Townsville since 1990 and has passed cultural knowledge onto his children, who have been performing since they started walking.
Komet is the name of one of the 8 tribes of Mer Island in the Torres Strait, which is the origin tribe of the Day Family.
DJ DEADLY JACOB
Deadly Jacob is a proud Torres Strait Islander from the Magaram tribe of Murray Island. He is a Mob FM Radio Presenter, MC and Entertainer from Mount Isa. With a passion for the Indigenous community Deadly Jacob has been a positive influence in our community for over 15 years. A crowd favourite that’s looking forward to entertaining you at this year’s Mount Isa Rodeo.
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY 8 AUGUST 2024
TIME
4.00pm
5.00pm
6.30pm
7.30pm
BUCHANAN PARK EVENTS COMPLEX, MOUNT ISA
GATES OPEN
KIAKATI ARTS AND CULTURAL PRECINCT OPEN
RODEO - EARLY EVENING SESSION COMMENCES
OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY AND CULTURAL CELEBRATION
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
OFFICIAL OPENING AND SPEECHES
PERFORMANCES BY: SUNDOWNERS KALKUTUNGU DANCERS AND THE KOMET TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ART AND CULTURE GROUP
RODEO - LATE EVENING SESSION COMMENCES
AH ONE + CHURCH FAMILY TRANS TASMAN RODEO CHALLENGE
9.00pm RODEO CONCLUDES
9.00pm – 9.30pm
RODEO ROCK CONCERT – DJ DEADLY JACOB
9.30pm – 10.45pm CHRISTINE ANU – KASEY CHAMBERS
11.30pm EVENT CONCLUDES
We have a new range of merchandise to celebrate 65 years of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, available in the Rodeo Shop
Fast Scaff is a North West Queensland based, Indigenousowned and operated scaffolding company.
Our mission is to deliver safe, effective working-at-heights solutions to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations.
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WINTON IS CALLING
Queensland’s most incredible holiday destinations are ready to welcome you. There are so many places to explore in Outback Queensland, so say hello to new adventures.
