First Nations

The First Nations Directorate is a transformative force within Powerhouse. We ensure that our cultures and knowledge are authentically represented and integrated into its practices, fostering inclusive and culturally respectful ways of working.

We are actively integrating First Nations ways of working across every part of Powerhouse — from collections and exhibitions to administration and governance. By transforming systems that once excluded us, we honour historical truths and living cultures, shifting from ownership of objects to relationships with their makers and custodians. We recognise First Nations peoples as enduring, living cultures deserving time, space and self-determination.

True acknowledgement is not just a sentiment or a proceeding, but an ongoing behaviour and responsibility. Through the stories we tell, our care for cultural belongings and collaboration with Community – we remember and respect Country, Always.

We Rise

Blak Powerhouse

First Nations Program

Koiki Mabo sitting within bamboo and sand backgorund.

Events

A black and white group portrait of the kapa haka group, Te Raranga Whānui. Seated at the front are Laurie Sarich, Neta Sarich. Behind them are Casey Fenton, Moana McLeod, Ashley Simon, Marei Peters, Hope Harris, Tiana Tiakiwai. At the back are Conway McLeod, Rata McGregor Jnr, Josh Simon, Royal Kingi Pita.

Matariki 2025

Ended 19 Jun 2025Sydney Observatory

Sydney Science Festival 2023

Research Symposium 2023

Ended 14 Aug 2023Powerhouse Ultimo

Sydney Science Festival 2023

Keynote: Nicole Yamase – Pacific Odyssey

Ended 12 Aug 2023Powerhouse Ultimo

Black and white photo of Jay Tauleka performing on stage wearing sunglasses with his hands up

Powerhouse Late

Powerhouse Late: PAWA

Ended 12 Oct 2023Powerhouse Ultimo

Woman weaving while sitting down at a table.

Visiting Artists Tongan Weavers

Ended 30 Apr 2024Across Sydney

First Nations Initiatives

Crowd of people holding lights up towards the people on stage.

Blak Powerhouse

After a huge year of Blak arts, music and culture that has witnessed mob taking things to new heights, an era of Blak brilliance is here, and with it, the rising of new kings and queens.

Martariki

Welcome Te Mātahi o te Tau (the Māori New Year) at Sydney Observatory

Birds-eye view of figure working on the floor.

galang residency

Powerhouse Parramatta and Cité internationale des arts (Paris) offer an opportunity for two Australia-based First Nations creative practitioners to travel to Paris for a fully supported 12-week residency.

A silver gelatin dry plate glass negative in landscape format.

Caring for Country

In consultation with First Nations peoples of the Country on which the Powerhouse sites are situated, Caring for Country Principles now form the foundation of the Climate Action Plan, they are our Acknowledgement to Country in practice.

A woman’s brown hands on top and in between the opening of a blue shirt with a white vertical pattern.

Deed Of Deposit

An initiative enabling First Nations communities to place cultural material in Powerhouse’s care while keeping full ownership.

Silhouette of a barbed arrow in front of a sunset over the ocean.

Right Of Reply

A unique opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander photographers to undertake a photography commission that responds to the Powerhouse Collection.