Introduction
Festivals around the world often take place on lands that Indigenous peoples have stewarded for generations. From Australia to Canada and beyond, many folk festivals and cultural events are beginning to recognize that they are guests on Indigenous territories. Working hand-in-hand with Indigenous communities can greatly enrich a festival – but it must be done respectfully and thoughtfully. Too often, well-intentioned organizers make missteps that turn attempts at inclusion into sources of tension (realitysandwich.com). To avoid these pitfalls, festival producers should approach Indigenous partnerships as long-term relationships – not one-off transactions – grounded in mutual respect, proper protocol, shared benefits, and care for the land. In fact, accountability to and collaboration with local Indigenous communities plays a crucial role in giving gatherings an ethical and sustainable foundation (realitysandwich.com).
Begin with a Relationship, Not a Booking
Successful festival partnerships with Indigenous peoples begin long before the event itself. The first step is to build a genuine relationship – not to simply make a booking for a token appearance. Reach out early to the traditional custodians of the land or the local Indigenous community organizations. Introduce the festival’s vision and sincerely seek their input and blessing. As one advisory group suggests, ask yourself “if roles were reversed, how would I like this process to unfold?” (realitysandwich.com) before approaching the community. This mindset helps ensure you come with humility and empathy, rather than a colonial attitude.
Obtaining free, prior, and informed consent from the community is essential. In practical terms: ensure the festival is being conducted with the knowledge and permission of local Indigenous leaders, not as an afterthought (realitysandwich.com). Invite community representatives or Elders to be partners in planning – perhaps sitting on a cultural advisory board for the event. Early dialogue lets you learn about any cultural sensitivities, expectations, or needs. For example, they might advise on times of year to avoid (due to ceremonies, hunting seasons, etc.) or areas of the site to leave untouched.
It’s also wise to understand the internal dynamics of the community. Identify the proper cultural authorities – e.g. an elected council, hereditary chiefs, or Elders council – rather than just assuming any individual can speak for the group. In Maori communities of New Zealand, for instance, protocol dictates engaging the local iwi (tribe) authorities for permission to use a marae or tribal land for an event. Similarly, in many Native American and First Nations communities, consulting the tribal council or cultural preservation office is the appropriate channel.
Building trust takes time. Show genuine interest in the community’s history and values, beyond what they can do for your festival. Attend local events, visit in person if possible, and listen more than you speak. Early meetings might be more about getting to know each other than talking business. This rapport lays the groundwork for collaboration. For example, the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Australia began engaging Aboriginal custodians in its very first years. Organizers sought permission from Traditional Owners to hold the festival on their land – a “Permission Ceremony” that predates and even helped inspire the now-common Welcome to Country protocol across Australia (www.jinibaragallery.com). That early initiative “began a relationship and a commitment that so far has lasted three decades” according to Woodford’s founders (www.jinibaragallery.com). Over time, they navigated challenges and learned from mistakes. As the Woodford team candidly reflected, “over the years, we made lots of errors, were at times paternalistic and failed to deeply understand how Aboriginal people operated and felt” (www.jinibaragallery.com). Despite some stumbles, their persistence and willingness to learn led to strong bonds with local Indigenous families and enduring cultural programs at the festival.
The lesson is clear: approach the community as partners and teachers, not service-providers. Don’t just call two weeks out from the event to hire an Elder for an opening prayer; instead, involve them from the outset in a spirit of friendship. A relationship-first approach will shape every aspect of the partnership – from how ceremonies are conducted to how issues are resolved. And importantly, it sets a tone of respect and reciprocity that attendees and staff will pick up on.
Follow Ceremony and Acknowledgment Protocols
When it comes to honoring Indigenous culture at your festival, follow the correct protocols to the letter. Every Indigenous community has its own customs for welcoming guests and opening gatherings, and as a festival organizer you must defer to their guidance on these rituals. Often, this means incorporating a formal welcome ceremony or land acknowledgment at the start of the event, led by an Elder or a designated representative of the host people.
For example, in Australia it is customary to hold a Welcome to Country at the commencement of a festival. This ceremony – which may involve traditional music, dance, a smoking ceremony, or a speech – can only be performed by an Elder or recognized Traditional Owner of that land (jtproductionmanagement.com). Organizers should always include a Welcome to Country at the opening of each event day, and ensure it is arranged through the proper cultural authority (jtproductionmanagement.com). If an in-person welcome by an Elder isn’t possible, then an Acknowledgment of Country should be delivered by the event MC or a leader, in which they pay respect to the traditional custodians of the land (jtproductionmanagement.com). It’s crucial to learn the correct wording and pronunciation for acknowledgments – often the Indigenous community can provide an approved phrasing. As a rule, never modify or ad-lib an Indigenous ceremony on your own. Follow the exact guidance given by the community on how and when to conduct these observances.
North American events have developed similar practices with land acknowledgments and blessings. Many Canadian festivals, for instance, open by acknowledging they are on unceded territory of specific First Nations, and may invite an Elder from those Nations to offer words or a prayer in their language. In New Zealand, a p?whiri (welcoming ceremony) by local M?ori with karakia (prayers) and waiata (songs) might be performed to greet festival-goers. Whatever the locale, let the Indigenous hosts decide the appropriate ceremony. Discuss the details well in advance: Who will speak? Will there be a traditional song or dance? How should the stage be set up for them? Allocating sufficient time and prominence to these elements shows that the festival truly honors the tradition, rather than treating it as a perfunctory duty.
Also, be mindful of protocol around acknowledgment signage and materials. Many events now include a written acknowledgment of Indigenous land in programs, on websites, and even on welcome banners. Check with the community if this is acceptable and if any particular wording should be used. Some communities have official preferred text for land acknowledgments – use it exactly as provided.
Above all, these ceremonies and acknowledgments must be done with sincerity. As Kevin Gover of the Pawnee Nation cautioned, if such gestures become rote or purely performative, “then it has no meaning at all” (www.kqed.org). Don’t treat the welcome ceremony or land acknowledgment as a box to tick. One way to ensure it has impact is to tie it to concrete action or education. For example, one speaker in California used her land acknowledgment not just to recognize the local tribe, but to encourage the audience to donate to a nearby Indigenous-run community garden – even displaying a QR code to facilitate contributions on the spot (www.kqed.org). The result was hundreds of dollars raised for the Indigenous project, giving real substance to the acknowledgment.
Respect for protocol also means avoiding cultural missteps during the festival. Brief your staff and attendees (via newsletters or signage) on showing respect: for instance, remind everyone to be quiet and attentive during the Elder’s welcome, and not to interrupt or use cameras if that’s against the custom. Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for disrespect. Many festivals have learned to address issues like cultural appropriation among attendees. A growing number of events now ban faux “Native” headdresses or insensitive costumes on site – after all, sacred regalia like war bonnets are earned in some cultures and not meant to be party attire. Canada’s Bass Coast festival and California’s Lightning in a Bottle festival are examples that implemented a no-headdress rule, with one event even confiscating such items at the gate (realitysandwich.com). Setting these expectations up front shows solidarity with Indigenous partners and prevents harmful stereotypes from marring the event.
In short, honor the host culture on their terms. Follow their ceremonies exactly as prescribed, give them prominence, and educate your audience on why these rituals matter. By demonstrating genuine reverence for Indigenous protocol, you create a festival atmosphere of respect and inclusion that will be felt by all.
Share Benefits and Build Community Capacity
A true partnership ensures that the local Indigenous community gains tangible benefits from the festival. Too often in the past, outside organizers would use Indigenous land or culture for an event and leave the host community with little to show for it. To break that pattern, design your festival’s plans so that value flows back to the host community – economically, socially, and culturally.
Start with fair compensation: budget appropriately to pay Indigenous participants for their contributions, whether they are performing artists, Elders giving welcomes, artisans selling crafts, or cultural consultants advising your team. Exposure alone is not a fair reward; ensure payment rates meet or exceed industry standards. If the event is using tribal land, expect to negotiate a land use fee or honorarium to the tribe. In some cases, organizing an event on Indigenous territory may involve a formal agreement (e.g. an MoU or contract) outlining how profits or fees are shared. This is part of the principle of benefit-sharing – acknowledging the community’s stake in what happens on their land.
Beyond direct fees, consider creating broader opportunities. Hiring locally is a great way to build capacity. Can you offer jobs or paid internships for community members in the festival operations (such as site crew, catering, ticketing staff, etc.)? Providing training and roles for Indigenous youth in event management, stage production, or hospitality not only empowers the community but also builds a skilled local workforce for future events. Some festivals even partner with Indigenous-run staffing agencies or mentorship programs to facilitate this.
Another approach is to source goods and services from Indigenous vendors. Whether it’s catering, merchandise, security, or transportation, look for Indigenous-owned businesses to fulfill those needs. For example, for food stalls you might contract a First Nations catering company or include a booth run by local Indigenous cooks serving their traditional cuisine. Use the festival’s purchasing power to support enterprises from the host community.
Direct community investment is also crucial. A portion of festival proceeds can be dedicated to community-defined projects – think of it as a legacy fund. This might go toward preserving the local language, funding an Indigenous youth arts workshop, supporting a cultural center or simply boosting community facilities. The key is to ask the community where support is most needed. Some organizations formalize this kind of giving: for instance, a theater company in Berkeley, USA partnered with the local Ohlone people’s land trust and now voluntarily contributes between $3,000 and $6,000 each year as a kind of “land tax” to support Indigenous-led initiatives (www.kqed.org). In addition, they provide the community free tickets to shows and access to space as needed – a gesture of reciprocity (www.kqed.org).
Festival organizers can also offer in-kind benefits. One simple gesture is to invite the local Indigenous community to attend the festival as honored guests. For example, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in Canada extended an open invitation with complimentary tickets to members of the Musqueam Indian Band, on whose traditional territory the event is held (www.musqueam.bc.ca). This not only shares the joy of the event with the rightful hosts but also deepens festival-goers’ interactions with the community. Similarly, provide space for the community to have an information or craft booth on-site if they wish, so they can showcase their culture or initiatives directly to attendees.
Crucially, approach benefit-sharing as building capacity, not charity. Aim for outcomes that help the community thrive on its own terms. This could mean the festival sponsors workshops where festival professionals teach skills to local volunteers (who could later organize their own events), or donating equipment after the festival (e.g. sound gear or tents) to the community center for future use. It could also mean simply giving the community a platform – for example, dedicating a stage or timeslot for Indigenous performers and storytellers from the region, thus nurturing local talent and pride.
One powerful example of community-led festival partnership is the Ziro Festival of Music in India. This outdoor music festival is hosted in Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley, home of the Apatani tribe, and the Apatani people are deeply involved in running the event. The festival has become a showcase for Apatani culture, and because the tribe has a close affinity with nature and sustainable living, those values shape the festival’s ethos. The entire event is “designed around sustainable principles that the community has been practising for generations” (www.cntraveller.in), from eco-friendly infrastructure to waste management. Here, the Indigenous community isn’t just benefiting – they are co-creators, ensuring the festival reflects their identity and leaving a positive impact on their land. Such models of co-ownership and co-design are worth aspiring to, because they ensure the partnership is equal and enduring.
In summary, make sure the festival’s success is shared. When Indigenous partners see real benefits – jobs, income, infrastructure, cultural celebration, skills development – flowing to their people, it validates the relationship. It also helps counter any perception of exploitation. A festival can and should be a force for good in the host community. This not only is the right thing to do, but it also lays the groundwork for future collaborations. Communities that feel respected and uplifted will likely welcome the festival back and even advocate for it.
Embed Land Stewardship in Site Plans
Indigenous peoples are often described as the original stewards of the land – their traditional knowledge and practices have protected ecosystems for millennia. Festival producers can learn a great deal from these practices. More importantly, when you partner with an Indigenous community, it’s vital to honor their deep connection to the environment by embedding land stewardship into every aspect of your site planning and production.
Consult with the community about the proposed festival site and layout. Ask if there are any areas that are especially sensitive or sacred. There may be sites of spiritual significance you need to avoid entirely (such as burial grounds, old meeting places, or sacred trees). There may also be environmental factors – for example, a certain gully might be a habitat for endangered wildlife, or a water source might run through the property that the community relies on. Collaborate on a plan to protect these elements: maybe fencing off a section, re-routing foot traffic, or providing extra guards for certain zones. Indigenous knowledge can highlight concerns outsiders might overlook, like the presence of medicinal plants or seasonal wildlife patterns.
Applying a stewardship mindset also means minimizing the festival’s ecological footprint. Work with the Indigenous partners to develop a robust environmental management plan. This can include waste reduction (perhaps the community has traditional methods for biodegrading waste or prefers visitors bring reusable items), avoiding pollution of soil and water, controlling noise and light to not disrupt animals, and careful management of fire if campfires or pyrotechnics are involved. Many Indigenous cultures have specific practices for land care, such as controlled burning to prevent wildfires or rituals to cleanse and thank the land – if appropriate, you might integrate these practices with their guidance.
One concrete example comes from the Woodford Folk Festival in Australia. After purchasing their festival site – a former dairy farm – the organizers saw themselves as custodians of the land and launched an ambitious reforestation program. In the late 1990s they began an annual tree-planting weekend where volunteers and locals plant native trees across the site (www.lfwseq.org.au). Over 20 years, more than 100,000 trees have been planted, transforming degraded paddocks into a lush parkland and wildlife refuge (www.lfwseq.org.au). This massive regeneration effort was driven by the festival’s ethos of leaving a positive legacy for future generations – a value very much aligned with Indigenous principles of caring for country. The presence of the Jinibara people (the Traditional Owners) on the land further reinforced the importance of restoring and respecting the environment.
Another inspiring model is again the Ziro Festival in India’s Northeast. Because the Apatani hosts are intrinsically involved, their land stewardship practices guide the festival’s operations. The Apatani have long traditions of sustainable farming and forestry, so the event incorporates their wisdom (for instance, using bamboo and natural materials for stages and accommodation, managing waste in eco-friendly ways, etc.). By imbibing this Indigenous knowledge, the festival manages to remain remarkably green even while hosting thousands of visitors (www.cntraveller.in). The message is clear: working with Indigenous custodians often means you have expert environmental consultants on your team – it would be foolish not to heed their advice on protecting their homeland.
At a minimum, commit to a “leave no trace” approach or better, a “leave it better than you found it” philosophy. Ensure a thorough clean-up and restoration of the site post-event, ideally with involvement from community members and volunteers. You might organize a closing ceremony where both festival staff and Indigenous representatives jointly inspect the grounds, perform any cleansing rituals, and confirm everything is in order. If any environmental damage occurred, address it immediately (replant vegetation, remove debris, etc.). Showing this level of care is a direct reflection of respect for Indigenous partnership – nothing will sour a relationship faster than leaving a beloved landscape in bad shape.
Finally, recognize that sustainability and Indigenous rights go hand in hand. Protecting the land is often a core part of Indigenous struggles and sovereignty. As such, making your festival truly sustainable isn’t just about recycling bins and solar panels – it’s about being accountable to the local Indigenous community’s environmental priorities (realitysandwich.com). If they say an area needs rehabilitation, support that; if they express concern about water usage or sewage, take it very seriously. By embedding their stewardship values in your plans, you not only avoid conflict, you actively contribute to the healing of the land. This sets your festival apart as a responsible event. Attendees too will notice and often appreciate the authenticity of an event that cares for its environment in line with local Indigenous teachings.
Report Outcomes Back to Elders
Once the festival is over and the last tent has come down, one crucial step remains: reporting back to the Indigenous elders and community about the event. Transparency and gratitude at this stage solidify the trust that’s been built. Too many times, outside organizers have packed up and left, never informing the host community about what happened – leaving them feeling used or wondering if their protocols were upheld. Don’t let that happen. Instead, close the loop by actively communicating the outcomes to the community leaders.
A good practice is to schedule a post-event meeting or debrief with the Indigenous partners. This could be a sit-down with the Elders or council, or a community forum if they prefer. In this meeting, share key information: the number of attendees, any major incidents (or thankfully the lack thereof), how the land fared, and importantly, how the community’s contributions made a difference. If you promised certain things – for example, a donation or improvements – report on those commitments (e.g. “We are happy to present the community with X amount as agreed, and we have left the extra firewood stack for your future use,” etc.). Providing a written report or summary document can be helpful as a record.
Equally important, invite the Elders’ feedback. Ask how they felt about the partnership and if there were any issues from their perspective. Perhaps they noticed some attendees ventured into an off-limits area, or maybe they were pleased with how respectful the crowd was during the welcome ceremony. Listening to this feedback without defensiveness is key. It shows you value their perspective not just as a formality, but for improving in the future. If something went wrong, be forthright about addressing it: maybe a cultural site was accidentally damaged – you should apologize and work out how to remediate it under their guidance. This honesty will go a long way in maintaining respect.
In many Indigenous cultures, it’s also customary to formally thank the hosts at the conclusion of an event or visit. Consider holding a small thank-you ceremony or gesture. This could be as simple as the festival director presenting the Elders with a gift (perhaps a commemorative item or a meaningful offering like a basket of produce, following local custom) and words of gratitude. If the community has a tradition of closing protocols or prayers, you could respectfully incorporate that – for example, in Maori contexts, after a multi-day event on a marae, there is often a poroporoaki (farewell ceremony) to close the gathering. You might not replicate that exactly, but you can echo the principle by formally acknowledging the end of the festival and praising the partnership that made it possible.
Additionally, sharing success stories and data with the community can be very empowering. Let them know about the positive feedback from attendees regarding the Indigenous aspects – e.g. “people were moved by the welcome dance” or “our post-event survey showed the cultural sessions were among the highest rated activities.” If Indigenous vendors did good business, share those numbers. Essentially, ensure the community sees the impact of their involvement. It reinforces that their culture and efforts were a valued, integral part of the event’s success.
Finally, talk about the future. If this is intended to be a recurring festival, express your hope to continue the partnership and any ideas for next time, and most importantly, ask for their ideas for the future. By reporting back and looking ahead together, you transition from one event into an ongoing relationship – which is exactly the goal.
Key Takeaways
- Engage Early and Build Trust: Start working with Indigenous communities from day one. Prioritize authentic relationships over one-off transactions. Seek permission, listen to their needs, and involve them as partners in planning rather than making unilateral decisions.
- Honor Protocols and Culture: Follow the host community’s protocols for ceremonies and acknowledgments with precision and respect. Always have the appropriate Elders lead welcomes or blessings, use correct wording, and educate your staff and audience to ensure cultural rituals are treated with the utmost respect.
- Avoid Tokenism and Be Sincere: Don’t treat Indigenous inclusion as a checkbox. Make sure any acknowledgment or partnership is backed by genuine intent and action (such as support for Indigenous causes or educational components) to avoid being performative (www.kqed.org). Also, actively prevent cultural appropriation or disrespectful behavior at your festival.
- Share Benefits and Build Capacity: Structure the festival’s finances and opportunities so that the host Indigenous community benefits directly. Pay fair fees, hire local Indigenous staff and vendors, offer free access to community members, and contribute to community projects. Help build long-term capacity by transferring skills or making investments that outlast the festival.
- Respect the Land: Work with Indigenous partners to protect and care for the festival site and environment. Identify sacred or sensitive areas and safeguard them, minimize ecological impact, and incorporate traditional land stewardship practices to improve sustainability (www.cntraveller.in) (www.lfwseq.org.au). Strive to leave the land in equal or better condition, reinforcing your respect for Indigenous custodianship.
- Stay Accountable and Keep Communicating: After the event, report back to the Elders and community about what was achieved and address any issues. Express gratitude and listen to their feedback. Maintaining transparency and accountability cements trust and lays the foundation for continued partnerships in the future.
By following these guidelines, festival producers can create truly rewarding partnerships with Indigenous communities – partnerships built on respect, reciprocity, and a shared love of culture and land. Such festivals do more than entertain; they become platforms for reconciliation, learning, and mutual celebration, enriching everyone involved.
27th September 2025