BHP Billiton is proud to be the principal partner of TARNANTHI, the Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia and supported by the Government of South Australia.

The Festival is being held in Adelaide from 8 - 18 October and includes a free exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia which runs until 17 January 2016. It brings together more than 450 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from around Australia to share their stories and culture through works of art.

Jacqui McGill, Asset President at Olympic Dam, said TARNANTHI was a wonderful partnership showcasing the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture across Australia.

“We believe culture and inclusion are key components of a vibrant society and that partnerships play an important role in building capacity for Indigenous people and communities. We are delighted to be in Adelaide to celebrate this Festival in the spirit of diversity and collaboration,” she said.

BHP Billiton’s Copper business has operations in Australia and South America, located on or near lands traditionally owned by or under the customary use of Indigenous Peoples. The Company has worked hard to develop long-term partnerships with local Aboriginal communities in South Australia and with the Museo Precolombino, one of Chile’s most important art and heritage museums.

BHP Billiton Chief Public Affairs Officer, Tony Cudmore, said TARNANTHI was a great example of how BHP Billiton supported Indigenous communities at a global level.

“We have strong relationships with Indigenous peoples in Australia and around the world and are proud to have publicly supported the recognition of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the nation’s constitution,” he said.

“Our support of TARNANTHI is consistent with the values we seek to demonstrate in our relationships with Indigenous Australians. We respect and acknowledge the rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain their culture, identity, traditions and customs.

“BHP Billiton invites you to share the TARNANTHI experience with us in Adelaide, and celebrate the coming together of many diverse groups of people, perspectives and cultures.”

More information on the festival can we found here.