Come join us in the ancient wetlands of Boorloo, and dance and twirl on the same ancient boodja of those who came before us paying homage to First Nations trailblazers and LGBTQIA+ trailblazers alike.
NGALAK NIDJA BILYA (We Are The River) 2026
💦 Summoning all water nymphs, sirens & other critters from the Bilya (Rivers) to join us in celebrating NAIDOC week and all our brotherboys and sistergirls who walk alongside us with the third installment Ngalak Nidja Bilya (We are the River) 💦
Join us in the ancient wetlands of Boorloo, and dance and twirl on the same ancient boodja of those who came before us paying homage to First Nations trailblazers and LGBTQIA+ trailblazers alike ft.
💧 FIRST NATIONS DJS
💧 MCS & LIVE PERFORMANCES
💧 ROOFTOP MARKET STALLS
+ ALL TO BE ANNOUNCED
++ best dressed competition with a $1,000 GRAND PRIZE!
This is a not-for-profit event. Profits from ticketing will be donated to three local charities which support First Nations communities:
Bibbul Ngarma
Camp 4 Mob
Rainbow Futures WA
NGALAK NIDJA BILYA (We are the River) is a queer fundraiser ball in honour of NAIDOC Week, produced by Tanesha Bennell (Boorloo Justice) in association with The Rechabite.
This event is an opportunity for learning, dancing and celebrating all flowing into one exciting and powerful event.
TIX ON SALE NOW!
Early Bird $19 + bf
First Release $29 + bf
Second Release $39 +bf
Final Release $49 + bf
The theme and title of this event represents the season of Makuru (the wet season on Noongar Boodja) and the deep connection Noongar/First Nations peoples have with the waterways - specifically on Noongar Boodja the Derbarl Yerrigan (swan river) as the resting place of the Noongar creation spirit the Waugal. It also acknowledges the wetlands that existed prior to colonisation - that the Perth (Boorloo) CBD now sits on top of.
We are the River also recognises the fluidity and ever-flowing nature of queerness and identity - and acknowledges the fact that queerness has existed long before us in many different shapes and forms.
Now we know that us queer folk love a theme, so instead of clutching those pearls drape yourself in them like Aphrodite rising from the sea-foam, and pull out that mermaid tail to seduce sailors like a siren.
There will be a best-dressed competition with a GRAND PRIZE of $1000 waiting to be caught 🎣
Dress Theme Notes: Makuru & Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River)
💧 COLOURS: Blues, Purples, Greens
💧 NATIVE WILDLIFE: Mali (Black Swan), Wardong (Crow)
💧 NATIVE FLOWERS: Blueberry Lily, Purple Flag, Weeping Peppermint
💧 WEATHER: Rains, Cloudy Skies, Cool
💧 CONCEPTS: River, Underwater, Flowing, Changing
Important note: due to licensing restrictions all attendees must have their chests and buttocks covered at all times when in the venue. This rule applies to people of all genders.
Please note that dressing up is optional, and you're more than welcome to join us in whatever you're most comfortable in.
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We would like to acknowledge that this event takes place on the unceded lands of the Whadjuk Noongar People and we wish to acknowledge the Whadjuk Noongar peoples ongoing connections to the land, seas and skies. We acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of giants and want to thank the Elders past and present for being our leaders and knowledge keepers and allowing us to share this boodja and space with our community. We also acknowledge the tenacity of all other First Nations community members from across this nation, and remind all that sovereignty was never ceded.
Event Artwork by TapeMind
