Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2026 Opening Night Celebration

Minister for Education and the Arts, the Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP; Deputy Director-General of Arts Queensland, Ms Kirsten Herring PSM; Councillors, Cairns Regional Council; Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Chair, Dr Bianca Beetson AM, and Members of the Board; Artistic Director, Mr Teho Ropeyarn, CIAF Patron, First Nations, Professor Henrietta Fourmile-Marrie AM; Elders; Festival staff, artists and volunteers; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls. 

I would also like to begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands on which we are gathered, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here tonight. It is once again my privilege to witness the depth and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.  

As Patron of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, I am so thrilled to be with you all, during NAIDOC Week, to celebrate the incredible talent and scope of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait creators.  

This event truly is a highlight in Queensland’s cultural calendar.  

It gives people of all ages, from near and far, an outstanding opportunity to experience creativity that spans an extensive array of forms—including visual art, performance, music, fashion and storytelling. 

This year’s conceptual focus—Reclamation and Regeneration—explores the elements of loss and renewal. It recognises the immense importance of reviving knowledge, by passing on wisdom, language and cultural practices that have survived deeply and determinedly, despite significant challenges.  

It is a timely reminder, that in this—the 150th anniversary year of Cairns-Gimuy—the influence of the Original Custodians on these lands and waters has been shaped over millennia.  

And it is a celebration of the more than 90 artists, and 130 First Nations artisan businesses, whose contributions are encouraging a wider understanding of the perspectives of Indigenous people—to promote healing and build a thriving future for all.  

I am so pleased that this year’s expansion of the Digital Truth-Telling Initiative and Ambassador Program will give First Nations artists, entrepreneurs and community leaders year-round support to help them tell their own stories in a safe, informed way. 

And in a first for the Fair, a Hero Artwork Animation by the Red Ochre Republic—brings the 2026 theme to life, weaving together a powerful story of remembrance and revival, with multi-talented CIAF Artistic Director Mr Teho Ropeyard as narrator. 

During my term as Governor, I have been fortunate to visit First Nations arts centres in some of our most remote Indigenous communities. In places such as Pormpuraaw on Cape York, and Mornington Island in the Gulf, local artists are producing unique works that highlight the responsibility we all share to protect these fragile environments.  

What makes CIAF so special, is that it delivers such works—and the valuable meaning they hold—to one central location and connects them to a much wider audience; with authenticity and integrity at its heart.  

To organise an event of this magnitude takes enormous effort, and I congratulate everyone involved—Teho, the Board, executive, staff and volunteers, and the generous sponsors and partners who have made the vision become reality.  

And, of course, I commend all of the amazing ambassadors, exhibitors, facilitators and creators, and the staff of the Tank Arts Centre, who make this such an immersive, enlivening experience.   

Finally, I also take this opportunity to congratulate both Dr Bianca Beetson AM, and Board Director Rhonda Appo OAM, for being recognised in the most recent Australian Honours List, which acknowledges their dedication to furthering First Nations artistic expression in our state8.   

It is now my tremendous honour to join you in celebrating the 2026 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair—and like last year, I am sure it will be a resounding success.