Balya Productions puts First Nations on centre stage

Balya Productions have taken the helm for Yabaardu Festival 2024 and are continuing their important work of providing First Nations representation in connection and event production on a national scale. Balya is anchored by proud Wirangu, Kokatha and Mirning woman, Letisha Ackland, a seasoned festival guru with 15 years of experience helping produce some of the country’s biggest festivals and events. This years Yabaardu Festival boasts a strong contingent of First Nations performers from across Australia, ranging from festival stalwart Dan Sultan, to Malyangapa and Paakantyi emcee Barkaa, and an extensive list of artists from SA’s deeply talented rural communities. Balya provides representation and opportunity for First Nations peoples to “break the mould” in a space that had limited visibility when Ms Ackland first cut her teeth in the industry. “When I first started, I was usually almost the only female on stage, let alone First Nations mob,” Ms Ackland said. “I’m big on mentoring, I live by ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’. When I was a young festival goer, I’d look on stage and go ‘where are all the women?’ “Seeing First Nations artists up there is really welcoming and it’s nice for them to see a sister on stage. You can connect naturally when you say hello.” Yabaardu Festival will take place at Far West Aboriginal Sporting Complex in Ceduna on July 19.