Our Early Voices | Michael Jenson Warusam

In 1987, Michael Jenson Warusam left Saibai Island in the northern Torres Strait for Sydney to share his community’s traditional dances at NAISDA and AIDT, beginning a journey that would see him become one of Bangarra Dance Theatre’s founding artists in 1989. Touring in the company’s earliest productions, including Up Until Now in 1991, Jenson brought the strength of Torres Strait Island cultural knowledge to a young company finding its identity. In conversation with Bangarra Alum Yolande Brown, he reflects on Bangarra’s beginnings as a collective movement grounded in determination, respect and responsibility, before passing on a message stick carrying wisdom and a call for future generations to continue the journey.