'ARTISTS FOR YES': THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC AND ART TO INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE-KEEPING

Before, in the beginning of times for my people, we had creation times or Dreaming. Our old Dreaming continues to this day and connects us to all aspects of our lives: our Culture, Language, Country, Kin, and practices.

When James Cook landed on these shores and “discovered” this land, it marked the beginning of a systematic dismantling of my and so many other’s people. Each aspect of our lives is connected, meaning if one is lost, the other suffers. Where there is no Country, there are no People. Where there are no People, there is no Culture.

The pain, trauma and great resilience that came from years of the implication of the white man taught my people to be strong, to be resilient, and to lead - we didn't let this overcome us. Especially my Elders, the people who have fought to recover what was lost during colonisation, and today are beginning to restore our voice.

For years, people have called and demanded for change, a decades’ long struggle for recognition and respect. Only a few examples are the 1965 Freedom Rides with Charlie Perkins, the 1967 Referendum, and the Tent Embassy in 1972 — which was co-founded by my Uncle Chicka Dixon.

It was in 2017 that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from around the Country gathered and called for three things: Voice, Treaty, and Truth. They called this the Makarrata ("coming together after a struggle"). Those leaders gave an opportunity for all of Australia to walk with us, to recognise First Nations peoples in the Australian Constitution, starting with an establishment of a Voice to Parliament.

'Artists for Yes' is a way for us to continue in this legacy, pushing for change using our skills and talents. As artists, we tell stories and bring people together, allowing us to spark discussions, join the campaign, and vote 'Yes' in the coming referendum.

This campaign doesn’t come from nowhere. Music, art, dance, storytelling, and ceremony are all strongly linked for the many First Peoples across the nation. Before colonisation brought written language to the continent, these arts were the main way that people could record history and knowledge - particularly in the form of Songlines.

Songlines tell the paths and routes taken by creatorspirits in Country through the Dreaming, acting as ‘maps’ of the lands and ‘books’ of history, and are the basis of many ceremonies. They are now an important part of connectedness to Country, passing down knowledge through families; where listening to the song is the same as walking on this songline and observing the land, and singing the song keeps the land alive.

They are an important part of understanding the landscape, allowing people to navigate through singing the lyrics of the song. As Songlines pass through many nations and languages, the songs are in many different languages; singing in these other languages shows respect to the people of that Country.

I am Yuin and Gumbaynggirr, I am Language and Country and all aspects of life. I have a voice that is etched into the Songlines of my ancestors and the dreaming. My people are the knowledgekeepers, the trailblazers, leaders, the story-tellers. They are my brothers, sisters, and cousins. My aunties, my uncles; my mums and dads. They are my totems, my language, cultures and spirituality.

All you need to do is listen.