Indigenous students take centre stage during NRL Indigenous Round to honour First Nations legacy through dance

Callan Morse Published May 18, 2023 at 3.30pm (AWST)

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Bremer State High School Geraldine Lomas-Bonner and Jakobi Warner rehearse as part of the Beyond the Broncos and Bangarra Dance Theatre collaboration. (Image: supplied, Brisbane Broncos)

Nearly 200 young dancers will take centre stage to open the NRL's Indigenous Round week, shining a spotlight on a new generation of storytellers.

After weeks of rehearsals, the Beyond the Broncos program students will take the field at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium to perform Indigenous storytelling through dance ahead of the Broncos clash with the Panthers.

The Broncos partnered with world-renowned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performance company, Bangarra Dance Theatre on the project, which empowers Indigenous youth through the power of storytelling through dance.

Youth Program Director at Bangarra Dance Theatre Sidney Saltner said the partnership invests in the next generation of storytellers, providing career pathways for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

"A program like this creates an environment where all students are nurtured in terms of their level of skills, but also their mentality based on what they are here for, what their responsibilities are within the program and also in the greater sphere of what we are doing for our culture," Mr Saltner said.

"We're standing on our ancestors' and our parents' shoulders. Who's going to be standing on our shoulders to take our culture forward?

Participating students hair from the regions of Logan, Redlands Moreton Bay and Ipswitch, coming together for their final dress rehearsal on Wednesday, before dancing up a storm with Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Mitch Tambo to pay homage to those who have walked before them.

After participating in the Broncos Dance Camp with Bangarra in early April, Bremer State High School students Geraldine Lomas-Bonner and Jakobi Warner returned to their school, sharing their new-found dance skills with their fellow students.

"Dancing for my culture is very important as it allows me to embrace my culture and inspire the younger ones to not only dance but learn more about their culture and connect with one and another," Ms Lomas-Bonner said.

Bremer State High School students Geraldine Lomas-Bonner and Jakobi Warner are part of the near 200-strong Broncos Bangarra Dance Camp squad. (Image: supplied, Brisbane Broncos)

"I honestly can't wait to experience performance day, on the field dancing with my people and representing my culture as well as representing myself and my family at home."

For 17-year-old Jakobi, each dance step tells the story of the past and takes a positive step forward for the future generation to follow.

"When I'm dancing, I feel at one with my culture and it makes me proud of myself as well as making my family proud," Mr Warner said.

"I love getting up on stage, dancing and inspiring my culture."

General Manager of Community & Government Programs at the Brisbane Broncos Christine Halliwell said participating students have been put through their paces ahead of the on-field performance.

"This was an exciting new challenge for our Beyond the Broncos students and they have excelled on a grand scale," Ms Halliwell said.

"The Broncos are so thankful for the partnership with Bangarra Dance Theatre and their amazing coaching and choreography over the past few weeks, bringing the production to life."

The Beyond the Broncos program is an initiative of the Brisbane Broncos, aiming to inspire and assist with educational opportunities for Indigenous students by linking cultural identity with academic achievement.

The Beyond the Broncos students will perform at Suncorp Stadium before the Broncos match against the Panthers, with the performance to be televised live.