In October 2025, QMF presented Futures Summit, the first dedicated First Nations music industry summit in Gimuy (Cairns).

Built with mob, for mob, the summit responded to long-standing calls for culturally grounded professional development in Far North Queensland, creating a culturally safe and future-focused space for connection, truth-telling and sector development.

A First Nations-Led Approach

Delivered on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country in partnership with QMusic and Tanks Arts Centre, the full-day gathering brought together 70 industry delegates and 22 First Nations speakers and facilitators across 19 panels and workshops.

The program was guided by an Advisory Group of First Nations representatives from QMF, QMusic, Tanks Arts Centre, Shine on Gimuy and local arts practitioners, ensuring it reflected regional priorities, lived experience and cultural leadership.

Regional Roots, National Reach

While grounded in Far North Queensland, the summit was designed to support the broader First Nations music sector. Through our partnership with Music Australia, First Nations arts workers from every state and territory travelled to Gimuy to attend, while The Push, a national youth music organisation, supported emerging First Nations artists to engage directly with established artists and industry leaders.

The Program

Anchored by a keynote address from Miss Kaninna, the day explored what it means to be authentically Blak within the contemporary music industry.

Artists including 3%, South Summit and Tjaka joined local and regional industry representatives in discussions on pathways for emerging artists, touring in metro and remote contexts, self-determination in creative practice, and the role of culture in contemporary music.

Cultural Care Alongside Professional Development

Central to the summit was our partnership with DIYDG (Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good), a local Indigenous-led and youth-led organisation. Together, we embedded a culturally safe space within the venue where patrons could pause, seek support or step away if challenging topics arose, reinforcing the importance of professional development happening alongside cultural care and wellbeing.

Futures Summit also intentionally welcomed non-Indigenous industry professionals to listen and learn directly from First Nations artists and arts workers.

Speakers talked candidly about moving beyond tokenistic inclusion towards genuine collaboration, emphasising that First Nations artists must be engaged early in the planning of projects, and that opportunities should extend beyond performance slots to leadership and decision-making roles across the sector.

Lasting Outcomes

For attendees, the impact was immediate. The Push attendee Esther Williams was invited to become a Youth Board Observer on the Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) Board following the summit, while fellow attendee Hundo Milli shared:

“At the Futures Summit, I met some of my idols and got to pick their brains about how to succeed in the music industry, learning about staying healthy on the road, event management, knowing my worth, and more.”

Futures Summit marked the first time a music industry symposium of this scale and focus had been delivered specifically for First Nations creatives in the region, establishing a strong foundation for First Nations sector development in Far North Queensland. As Michaella Harrison, QMF Community & First Nations Engagement Manager, put it:

“Futures Summit was such a proud moment for me — a space where First Nations artists and arts workers could come together, share the projects they’re working on, and explore ways to collaborate. The panels and workshops were entirely led by mob, which made it a powerful example of self-determination in action. It was inspiring to see so many deadly creatives openly discussing their work, exchanging knowledge, and building networks that will strengthen our sector for years to come.”

Find out more about QMF’s First Nations programs by contacting [email protected].