Past Programs
Arts and Culture - 2000
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Skins
20/10/2000
We pay tribute to a great fighter of Indigenous rights who died this week. We check out Skins a new book of contemporary Indigenous writings from around the world and we talk about Richard Frankland's plays on stage in Darwin and starring Aaron Pedersen.
We pay tribute this week to Dr Kumantjayi Perkins. From ABC archives, we find out what made him so passionate in every aspect of his life.
"Skins" is the first collection of Indigenous writing from around the world. The anthology, featuring short stories and poetry, makes history with contributions from Aboriginal Australian, Native American writers, such as Sherman Alexie and Louise Erdrich, Aboriginal Canadian writers such as Thomas King, Inuit and Maori writers like Patricia Grace and Briar Grace Smith. We speak to Australian Aboriginal writers Melissa Lucashenko and Kenny Laughton and Canadian editor Kateri and Canada's most promising young writer Richard Van Camp. Available at good book stores everywhere or call Tjurrkurrpa Press in the Northern Territory on (08) 8951 1334.
It's that deadly time of the year again when the "Deadly's", the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards are on. The man responsible, Gavin Jones, drops in for a chat about the latest developments in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music and why we need Deadly awards.
And, we talk about Richard Frankland's plays "No way to forget" and "Harry's War" on stage in Darwin, with lead actor Aaron Pedersen.
We hope you can join us!
Tribute to the Warumpi Band
13/10/2000
After 20 years on the road, the Warumpi Band are calling it quits. We pay tribute to this legendary Aboriginal band.
The Warumpi Band, started off making history when they released the first rock/pop song in an Aboriginal language in 1983. But, there's much much more to this inspirational band who'll forever be remembered as legends in Australian music.
We talk about the life of the band with stalwarts, George Rurrambu and Neil Murray, from their first single "Jailanguru Parkanu" to the last of their 3 albums "Too much humbug". From Blackfella/Whitefella to My Island Home, Marrayilyil and the beautiful Tjiliru Tjiliru... you'll hear plenty of favourites live from performances around the country and in ABC studios.
Music featured in this program was:
"Jailanguru Parkarnu" (BNNB) ABC's Demotape program 1983
"Warumpinya" (BNNB) ABC Studio recording 1983
"From the Bush" (BNNB) Murri Yowar Black Voices concert 1993
"Waru" (BNNB) Darwin Rock Festival 1989
"Marrayilyil" (TMH) Live in CAAMA studios 1993
"Wiima Tjauta" (BNNB) Live in CAAMA studios 1993
"Tjiliru Tjiliru" (GB) From album
"We shall cry" (TMH) Live in CAAMA studios 1993
"My Island Home" (GB) Stompem Ground Concert 1998
"Blackfella/Whitefella" (BNNB) Murri Yowar Black Voices concert 1993
Albums
BNNB Big Name No Blankets 1985 Festival Records D38935
GB Go Bush 1987 Festival Records D38707
TMH Too Much Humbug 1996 CAAMA Music 260
NB: Due to copyright restrictions this program is not for sale
Corroboree 2000
02/06/2000
Events from the celebrations in Sydney at the Opera House and the People's Walk for Reconciliation.
Six months away from the winding up of the Council for Reconciliation (CAR), Awaye! showcases events from Corroboree 2000. We take a historical look at the change in attitudes towards Indigenous peoples and the call for a Treaty in Australia. You'll hear archival audio from prior events leading to the reconciliation movement. From the '67 Referendum, to Bob Hawke's Barunga Statement and the inception of CAR.
From the celebration at the Opera House, you'll hear excepts from the speeches of Mick Dodson, Evelyn Scott, Bob Carr, John Howard and Marcus Lacey. Along the bridge walk Awaye! chatted to participants about what the weekend meant and where to now for true reconciliation?
Nunavut Celebrations
19/05/2000
We celebrate the first anniversary of the formation of Nunavut in Canada. We speak to four young Inuit students in Australia to raise awareness of the Inuit's outstanding achievement - an Aboriginal controlled state. We talk about black and white relationships in Australia. Brisbane's Kooemba Djarra Theatre launched a powerful new production this week, Skin Deep. The play examines skin related racism through Indigenous women's eyes. And we talk to Indigenous Philosopher, Bill Wilson, from Taoundie Aboriginal College in South Australia.
Nunavut is the largest territory in Canada with the smallest population of 30,000 people created on 1 April 1999. Their land area is larger than Queensland, and people are scattered around small towns, villages and hunting camps in Canada's north eastern arctic. Living conditions are harsh, there are no roads joining communities, in the summer months of June and July they experience almost continual daylight and in winters almost total darkness. The capital city Iqaluit comprises 4 and a half thousand people, there are 1600 government bureacrats for the whole territory and Inuit comprise 85% of the total population.
Nunavut is the result of 20 years of struggle by the Indigenous Inuit people to gain self determination. 18 students of Nunavut Sivuniksavut, a tertiary education program in which students study their own history and struggles to achieve a comprehensive land claims settlement and control of their own lands, visited Australia to raise awareness of their considerable achievements. Awaye! speaks to Evik Ayalik, Neevee Hanson, Sam Arreak and Julien Nasalik at their youth hostel in Sydney about Inuit culture, struggles, reconciliation and their impressions of Australia.
Brisbane's Kooemba Jdarra Theatre staged a powerful and thought provoking production "Skin Deep" examing how Indigenous women deal with the realities of being black in a white society. Includes excepts from the play and interviews with actors Roxanne McDonald, Zara Grose and Director Nadine McDonald.
And, in the second of our Philosophy Week series we chat to the Head of Taoundie Aboriginal College, Bill Wilson.
World Indigenous Philosophy Week 2000
12/05/2000
Errol West from Southern Cross University begins our series of talks from Philosophy Week 2000, we talk about the native Australian Food Industry and a story from Palawa man Jim Everett.
Errol West sets the scene for the receipt of Indigenous philosophies by asking us to open up our hearts and minds in his paper titled "Feeding your Fetishes".
The series continues for the next 5 weeks, as we feature Band of Navajo's head, Leon Secatero, Director of Taoundie Aboriginal College's Director, Bill Wilson, Link-up Founder, Oomera Edwards, Maori speakers Rosanna and John, and Aboriginal Designer, Alison Page.
We taste some Koori food from Victoria at the recent 4th Annual Bushfoods Festival, from edible orchids to native herbs and we hear Palawa man, Jim Everett's story of youthful imagination, in his story "Waterdogs".
Music in this program was:
Deadheart - "Fire"
Marcel Townsend Cross & Chris Fisher - "Rhythm"
Yothu Yindi - "Birrkala" (Wild Honey)
Creating Reconciliation
05/05/2000
We look at stories of reconciliation from around the country starting with a community education centre in Melbourne, to a farm for Indigenous thought and a regional art gallery.
In Melbourne we go to the launch of a new Indigenous community centre, the CERES community education centre and hear how they're creating reconciliation.
Jack Beetson, host of Aboriginal Philosophy Week talks about the outcomes of last week's momentous event. Many came away feeling that the week had changed their lives. On opening night Awaye! went along and quizzed one group of Non-Indigenous people as to why they were there, and how an event like this could be the seed for change in this country.
And, ABC Radio's Kerri-Lee Barry drops into the Mia Mia Gallery, 30 minutes east of Melbourne on the road between Eltham and Doncaster. We talk to artist in residence Johnny Daylight and owner Colin McKinnon.
Music featured in this program was:
Deb Morrow - "Red Dirt and Water"
Yolgnu Science
21/04/2000
Awaye! explores the connections between art and science in "Yolgnu Science". We talk to award winning director of "Harry's War", Richard Frankland. And Luritja/Arrente artist, Bessie Liddle, talks about the Desart women's collective and her latest works.
Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art is showing it's collection of works from Ramingining titled "Yolgnu Science". The exhibition highlights the generations of scientific knowledge of the Yolgnu have accumulated through paintings and objects relating to their totems and ways of caring for the land. From the launch, Anthropologist Marcia Langton gives us an introduction and talks about the use of fire burning in Arnhem Land while Curator Djon Mundine talks about the significance of the works.
We talk to award winning director of "Harry's War", Richard Frankland about the film and the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diggers.
And Luritja/Arrente artist, Bessie Liddle, talks about the Desart women's collective and her latest works showing at the Desart Gallery in Sydney.
Music featured in this program was from the album The Gaba Gaba Mawi by Tim Gubuma and the Storm out on CD through CAAMA Music
Spirit Song
Kuiyam
Namulka
Stolen
17/04/2000
We talk to Director Wesley Enoch and the cast of "Stolen" about the federal government's denial of the extent of the stolen generations. From hip hop to graffiti hear about cultural transitions from graffiti walls to the Djamu gallery of Sydney. And, we talk about the cultural implications for teaching literacy and numeracy in the wake of the government's latest policy commitment.
"Stolen" a play by the Ilbijerri Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Cooperative tells the stories of five Aboriginal children and their struggle for survival and recognition. Aboriginal writer, Jane Harrison says, "What always impressed me, was a lack of bitterness from the many survivors of these policies and I've tried to mirror that attitude in the play. Stolen is not about blame." Awaye! talks to Director, Wesley Enoch and the entire cast of Stolen.
Whilst most Australians take their skills of literacy and numeracy for granted Indigenous Australians face many hurdles to gain them. With the recent launch of a national policy to improve these skills for Indigenous people Awaye! talks about the cultural considerations necessary for such a policy to be effective.
And, "graff" gets showcased. Graffiti art is a form of youth expression that is often viewed negatively. Awaye! looks at "Back to the Walls" an exhibition of Indigenous art on "walls" around the world. From Indian wedding murals, to graffiti art to the flying murals of Qantas' jets.
A tribute to Jack Davis
31/03/2000
Awaye! profiles the life of Jack Davis, a special tribute compiled from ABC archives and featuring poetry recitals. Photographer and Filmmaker Tracey Moffatt opens "Invocatons", her latest exhibition in New York. Nakkondi/Look at the State Library of South Australia, is a collection of 100 snapshots of Nungas over the past century. Featuring the music of Kathy Kelly.
Awaye! remembers the life of Jack Davis, the father of Indigenous theatre in Australia. You'll hear archival audio of Jack recounting his experiences and being interviewed by the ABC throughout his life, plus poetry readings by Ernie Dingo and Jack. Features poetry recitals of The Creation Story, Evergreen, John Pat and Eulogy for peace by an old Aboriginal man.
We go uptown in New York and talk to photographer/filmmaker Tracey Moffatt on the opening night of her exhibition "Invocations" a collection of dark surreal portrayals from her imagination. And the exhibition Nakkondi/Look at the State Library of South Australia has the Nunga community smiling. We talk to photographers Andrew Dunbar and Nicole Cumpston.
This week's music features Kathy Kelly's songs "Namatjira" and "Injustice".
Weaving the Rich Tapestry
17/03/2000
Once again from the Adelaide Festival 2000, Awaye!'s Trevor Dodds reports on theatre, collaborations between black and white, the new South Australian Museum Indigenous gallery and Brenda Croft talks about "Beyond the Pale", the Adelaide Biennial exhibition of 25 contemporary Indigenous artists works.
At the Adelaide Festival 2000 two national playwrights conferences came together, one Indigenous the other non-Indigenous. The result, "Weaving the rich tapestry", a forum discussing the ways that different cultures approach playwriting and storytelling. Among others, hear playwrights Wesley Enoch and Rhoda Roberts talk about getting it right when working in black/white co- productions.
Phillip Clark, the curator of the new Indigenous cultures gallery at the South Australian Museum, describes his plans for future exhibitions.
Curator and artist Brenda Croft talks about "Beyond the Pale", an exhibition of Indigenous artworks from right across the country commenting on colonisation and being fringedwellers.
And playwright Lisa Bellair talks about her radio play "Ronald Darling Wilson: a tribute".
The music featured in this program were live performances from the Adelaide Festival event, Black Nite II.
Adelaide Festival 2000
10/03/2000
This week an arts packed Awaye! as we report from the Adelaide Festival.
We preview readings from the 3rd National Indigenous Playwrights Conference and investigate issues of the appropriation of Indigenous arts.
John Harding, a storyteller with a great sense of humour, talks about "Enough" a futuristic play about Indigenous culture and armed struggle. Nunga playwrights, Robert Crompton and Kerry Yates talk about, "Catskin", a Ngarrindjeri man who resisted christianity and assimilation in the 1800s.
And, Dr Julie Marcus talks about "From Appreciation to Appropriation", an exhibition of works from Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists canvassing the spectrum of works from admiration to the theft of Indigenous culture.
And in celebration of International Women's Day we feature the music of new talent from Sydney, the Stiff Gins.
Features the music:
"Looking Forward" Stiff Gins
"Only Heaven Knows" Stiff Gins
"How it all began" Stiff Gins
Please note, due to copyright restrictions, this program is not for sale
Working on Minjerribah
03/03/2000
Aboriginal people recently protested about unequal funding for Indigenous Work for the Dole schemes or Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP). We check out how the Quandamooka Aboriginal Land Council's CDEP is helping to revitalise culture on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
Minjerribah (or Stradbroke Island) just off Brisbane is a paradise. The island has all the necessary features... long beaches, pandanus palms and one pub. You'll find all manner of marine life there, eugaries, oysters and crabs, you can go turtle or whale watching, walk along the beach, or take in the sea breeze while waiting for the fish to bite.
It's also the home of the Nughi, Koenpul and Noonuckle people. For the youth of Minjerribah getting back culture is a priority. Working for the dole has only recently been introduced in the broader Australian community. In Indigenous communities it has operated for more than 20 years and goes by the name of CDEP or Community Development Employment Projects. This week on Awaye! the youth of Minjerribah tell us how they're using their CDEP to regain culture.
Also in this program, Lydia Miller discusses Indigenous theatre in the lead up to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Playwrights Conference, Artist Bronwyn Bancroft talks of Indigenous artistic participation in the Olympic games and Curator, Adam Hill tells how World Vision's exhibition of Anangu men's art helps the remote Aboriginal community of Papunya.
Music featured in this program was:
David Page "Ochres"
Rochelle Watson "Mother Island"
Warumpi Band "Warumpinya (or Papunya)"
Changing Ones
25/02/2000
This week, a Mardi Gras feature. We speak to Chris Lawrence, organiser of the Indigenous Mardi Gras float "Our Queen, Our Country", and we hear about how Native North Americans have always recognised transgender identities. They're called Berdaches. Murri poet, Romaine Moreton recites poetry, and there's also deadly dance music.
2000's gay and lesbian parade, the Mardi Gras, features an unusual and political float celebrating queer culture in Indigenous communities. Anthropologist, Will Roscoe, explains how Native North American cultures have always acknowledged 3rd and 4th gender identities. They're widely accepted and often considered holy, "Berdaches" combine the work and social roles of men and women.
Music featured in this program courtesy of the Indigenous Mardi Gras float and the Aids Council of NSW were dance versions of:
Yothu Yindi "Treaty"
Aunty Rita Mills "Blue Mountain"
Christine Anu "Wanem time"
Yothu Yindi "Djapana"
Human Rights Conference
18/02/2000
A conference conducted in Ballina from February 11 to 13. Features guest speakers talking about Indigenous human rights practice in Australia, international developments in Indigenous human rights and implementing them both domestically and internationally.
Hear from Social Justice Commissioner, Dr Bill Jonas, former National Indigenous Working Group member, and now lawyer with the University of New South Wales, Mick Dodson and James Anaya, eminent Indigenous human rights lawyer, academic.
Risdon Cove Festival
04/02/2000
Every year in January the Palawa community of Tasmania celebrates their first stand for the return of their lands at Oyster Cove. In 1995 they got some lands back and with it acknowledgement and recognition that Aboriginal Tasmanians survived. Awaye! visits the Risdon Cove celebration and takes a historical look at the Palawa struggle.
In the early years of Australian settlement the Palawa waged war with the British who set up their first camp in Tasmania at Risdon Cove in 1803. Ever since then the Palawa have resisted and survived.
In this program members of the Palawa community tell their story of struggle and the triumph of their recognition. Features the voices of Auntie Girlie, Jim Everett, Michael Mansell, Greg Lehman, Karen Brown, Clyde Mansell, Gloria Templar, and the music of Cheryl Mundy and the Cape Barren Island singers, Ronnie Summers, Dorothy Murray and Steve Lowry.
Music in this program was:
Marlene Cummins "Sassy Sassy Momma"
Rochelle Watson "Sista Girl"
Jimmy Little "Cattle and Cane"
Cheryl Munday "Names of the places"
Cape Barren Island musicians "Cape Barren Island"
Cape Barren Island musicians "Nobody's Child"
Cape Barren Island musicians "untitled" instrumental
