The Gamilaroi and Tongan man's dance film Brown Boy's - which explores his experience growing up with seven brothers - will form part of the triple bill program.
"What I found really interesting [about dance] was the emotion that you had to learn to combine and marry with athleticism and, so that was a challenge for me."
Mateo spoke to NITV Radio about how his semi auto-biographical story evolved from a collection of poems into choreography and dance.
"I came across poetry and fell in love with poetry because I just think it's a beautiful medium that is understood I guess by all mobs, all countries.
"I didn't want poetry to ever touch dance before I did this film ... so, I jumped into the vulnerability pool ... and it was overwhelming, but I could appreciate it because it was anther change to learn. Another chance to grow."
Frances Rings, co-CEO and artistic director of the Indigenous performing arts company said:
“In commissioning fresh voices, Bangarra cultivates continuity between tradition and innovation, memory and emergence."
Sheltering will tour Australia from 23 May 2026 and includes venues like the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne.
Brown Boys is directed by Cass Mortimer Eipper.
