Ancient origins, living culture: Museum unveils powerful Bundjalung creation story with new exhibition
Tweed Regional Museum unveiled a significant new exhibition, The Wiiyaan, when it re-opened to the public on Friday 9 January 2026.
The exhibition shares one of the most foundational creation stories of the Bundjalung Nation through contemporary cultural expression and community led storytelling.
Developed by Bundjalung Artist and Cultural Advisors Bijang and Kyle Slabb, The Wiiyaan brings to life the story of the Three Brothers, a narrative which explains the origins of the Bundjalung Nation’s different tribes and dialects across the Northern Rivers region.
The Wiiyaan are understood as an unbroken line of origin, the Ancestors of the Tweed Bundjalung people. According to the creation story, 3 brothers arrived by canoe with their families and journeyed north, south and west, forming distinct tribal groups and language variations.
In the southern dialect, the brothers are known as Mamoon, Birrung and YarBirrain, while in the northern dialect they are Yarbiri, Marming and Birin. Their story is deeply embedded in Bundjalung culture, lore and Country, with key locations marked by natural landmarks throughout the region.
The exhibition features digital and material illustrations created over several years by the local Tweed Aboriginal community, developed with creative and technical assistance from Ludo Studio, the Brisbane based Emmy®, Logie, BAFTA and AACTA Award winning studio, widely recognised for producing Bluey.
Ludo’s involvement supported the digital and visual components of the exhibition under the direction of the Bundjalung artists and community.
The works included in the exhibition were developed to ensure the continuation of traditional knowledge and have been shared by Elders and Knowledge Holders as a catalyst for passing stories forward to younger generations.
Artist and Cultural Advisor Kyle Slabb said the exhibition responds to the urgency of cultural transmission at a critical point in time.
“One of the considerations that we have to think about now and the time that we’re in, is what we pass on to the next generation. We’re the last generation of contact with traditional people in our community. Our kids’ generation never knew our grandmothers and grandfathers,” Mr Slabb said.
“During that transition, what doesn’t get passed on, you can lose. This project is part of that exercise for me — making sure every Bundjalung kid knows our origin story, understands our lore, and knows what connects us back.”
Tweed Regional Museum Acting Director Erika Taylor said the exhibition reflects the museum’s commitment to community driven storytelling and cultural authority.
“The Wiiyaan is a powerful example of what museums can be when they are guided by Cultural Knowledge Holders. This exhibition centres on Bundjalung voices, knowledge and lived experience while using contemporary tools to support cultural continuity,” Ms Taylor said.
“What makes The Wiiyaan so moving is its purpose. The Wiiyaan is a powerful act of cultural continuity. It shares a foundational Bundjalung creation story in a way that honours community authority and invites people of all ages to understand the deep cultural connections to Country that surround them every day.”
“This exhibition is about ensuring cultural knowledge is not lost but carried forward. It is an act of care for future generations, and it has been a privilege for the museum to support Bundjalung artists and Knowledge Holders in bringing this story to life.”
The Wiiyaan runs from 9 January 2026 until 18 July 2026 at Tweed Regional Museum, Murwillumbah. Entry is free.
For more information, visit museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au
Big Volcano Visitor Guide 
You must be logged in to post a comment.