Reviving Dance, Continuing Culture
Supported by AIATSIS through the Songs of Australia Fund, the Yukkumbruk Dancers – led by Ngunnawal Elder Serena Williams – travelled to the Mutawintji Cultural Festival to share revitalised Ngunnawal dance traditions. Discover their story and show your support by donating to the fund today.
‘We are revitalising our dances to continue our history’ – Serena Williams
Ngunnawal Elder Serena Williams is leading a cultural revival through dance on Ngunnawal Country (ACT), honouring the legacy of her father, Harold ‘Crow’ Williams – a respected Ngunnawal cultural knowledge holder, warrior, teacher, and Aboriginal rights activist.
In 2011, Serena gathered with her brother Billy T Tompkins and niece Minnie Tompkins in her lounge room to sing and dance. From this intimate moment, the Yukkumbruk Dancers Dreaming Group was born.
Yukkumbruk Dancers, Mutawintji Cultural Festival 2023.
Yukkumbruk Dancers, Mutawintji Cultural Festival 2023.
Yukkumbruk Dancers Rehearsal, Mutawintji Festival 2023.
Yukkumbruk Dancers Rehearsal, Mutawintji Festival 2023.
Today, the Yukkumbruk Dancers number nearly 30 members, primarily women and children aged from three months to 55 years. The group includes families with cultural ties that stretch far and wide to the Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Gadigal, Yaegl, Bundjalung, Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi, Yuin, Weilwan, Bidjara, Lama Lama and Kombumerri peoples.
Cultural guidance is provided by Elders and family members, including Serena Williams, Tiana House, Janet Williams Bell and Jo-lene Doolan. Traditional Ngunnawal song man, Billy T Tompkins composes songs, sings and provides the instrumental accompaniment.
Sharing Culture Across Country
Wanting to share their dances and songs with other communities, the Yukkumbruk Dancers attended the Mutawintji Cultural Festival in August 2023 – with support from the Songs of Australia Fund.
The Songs of Australia Fund was established by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to record their song and dance traditions, making them available for future generations.
The fund relies on the ongoing support from the broader Australian community, and we encourage people to give generously – and to get in touch about with us about other ways they can support our mission to support and facilitate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural resurgence and continuation.
AIATSIS is proud to support, through the fund, initiatives such as the Yukkumbruk Dancers, who seek to continue and share their cultural heritage widely and with their next generation of Elders.
‘I could feel all my Elders watching me … and watching my family smile at me … Whenever I dance, I have this feeling in my heart that I’ve made my family proud and I’ve done good in my life.’ – Minnie Tompkins
Yukkumbruk Dancers, Ngunnawal Country
Yukkumbruk Dancers, Ngunnawal Country
Yukkumbruk Dancers Getting Ready to Perform, Mutawintji Festival 2023
Yukkumbruk Dancers Getting Ready to Perform, Mutawintji Festival 2023
The festival fostered cultural connection, intergenerational learning and pride. It was an empowering experience for all involved, bringing Elders and young people together, exposing young people to culturally appropriate ways of learning and enhancing kin and Country relationships.
Young people gained confidence and a deeper sense of identity through dance and storytelling. Elders found joy and solace in the intergenerational experience, reflecting on when they were younger and their parents were the teachers.
‘I’m very proud to be lead dancer of Yukkumbruk Dreaming. It’s a way that I honour my culture, especially my father, Joe House. Every time I dance with my nieces and family, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and love.’ – Tiana House
Mutawintji Cultural Festival 2023
Mutawintji Cultural Festival 2023
Looking Ahead: A Corroboree on Ngunnawal Country
Inspired by their experience at Mutawintji, Serena Williams envisions hosting a Corroboree on Ngunnawal Country, building on connections made with other First Nations communities. This event could become a cornerstone for cultural tourism, showcasing the richness of Aboriginal traditions and strengthening community bonds.
‘My children dance for their nanna, Denise Merritt, who has passed away.’ – Kirby Brandy, Anthony Merritt and children Darius, Melissa, Killarney and baby Anthony
Supporting groups like the Yukkumbruk Dancers ensures that the next generation can dance, sing and speak their stories with pride.
‘The Yukkumbruk Dancers’ story shows that the Songs of Australia Fund is about more than preservation. Its impact is both immediate and long lasting – empowering communities to come together and to carry their culture forward.' - Rita Metzenrath, Assistant Director, Foundation & Philanthropy
Mutawintji Cultural Festival 2023
Mutawintji Cultural Festival 2023
Thanks to the Yukkumbruk Dancers for sharing their story
Yukkumbruk means ‘Crow’ in the Ngunnawal language. The Yukkumbruk Dancers and their families include:
Serena Williams
Tiana House (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Bidjara, Kombumerri)
Pearl Williams (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri)
Kevin Crow Carmody (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Lama Lama, Bundjalung)
Killarne Merritt (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi)
Kristy Williams Bell (Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi, Yaegl, Bundjalung)
Aliana Doolan (Kamilaroi, Yuin)
Janet Williams Bell (Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi, Yaegl, Bundjalung)
Kirby Brandy (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi)
Melissa Merritt
Minnie Tompkins (Wiradjuri, Ngunnawal)
Katayah Williams (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri)
Maggie Knight (Ngunnawal, Gamilaroi)
Tallara Weldon (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri)
Noelene Doolan (Kamilaroi, Weilwan)
Lailani Greenway (Wiradjuri, Weilwan, Gamilaroi)
Maali Maree (Weilwan, Gamilaroi)
Anthony Merritt Junior
Judy Lovell (Wiradjuri)
Billy T Tompkins (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri) – Songman
Note: All images, video, and text are used with permission from the Yukkumbruk Dancers and their families.
