Dark Mofo festival weathered the backlash against Union Flag and a First Nations boycott, but the impact will be lasting

The opening ceremony for Dark Mofo this year was not conceived by the festival creative team — but rather, by the Palawa/Pakana community, traditional custodians of lutruwita. Listen: Caleb Nichols-Mansell on ABC Drive Photo shows A young Aboriginal Tasmanian man looks into the camera seriously, he's standing outside an old building Nala Mansell from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre told ABC News that Dark Mofo's failure to consult broadly among First Nations communities was critical: "To not speak to the people they were hoping to represent, prior to the announcement … is what has led to its demise." "And we thought maybe, or hoped, it would allow for a greater platform — or give space — to local First Nations artists to be deeply involved in the 2021 program for Dark Mofo." AJ King says before working with Dark Mofo he asked himself: "Are they really genuine about letting Aboriginal people take the lead on creating something in this space?" "And through my role, Dylan's role and the involvement of the Palawa community and First Nations artists more broadly, I think that will really solidify that cultural safety within the organisation."