Balkanu played a significant part in the tour of prominent Aboriginal musicians Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. They travelled to the remote Aboriginal communities of Cape York Australia to undertake music workshops and public performances. The tour lasted six weeks and provided nine communities with access to a group of highly skilled professionals for a period of between two to five days each.

Balkanu facilitated the tour by providing resources, coordinating the logistics and obtaining sponsorship funding.

Aims of Tour
For the Aboriginal communities involved in the tour ambitious objectives were being worked towards. It was envisaged that the whole community, and in particular the young people, would gain a greater awareness and understanding of a broad range of physical and mental health issues. This included alcohol and drug misuse, self esteem and pride development and the stimulation and maintenance of interest in land and culture which are key issues vital to the health of indigenous people. These issues were central to all the workshops and the songs developed by the communities all reflect this.

Cape York Music
Music has always been a fundamental aspect of Aboriginal life and culture. While there were many talented musicians in the communities not all had their own band.  In Kowanyama where there were two bands an opportunity existed to mix and record their music using the professional equipment provided by the travelling studio. One band Kowanthumpoo from Lockhart River now have a professional recording of their music along with a promotional video clip all of which was done during the tour. Without access to this sort of opportunity these musicians were extremely limited in their ability to develop outside of their community.

The tour provided a great source of inspiration, motivation and practical assistance to the communities. The presence of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, greatly respected role models for their achievements in the music industry, and their entourage, was living proof that it is possible for both Aboriginal men and women to achieve in this field. The workshops demystified the realities of making and promoting music and the people who do it. The intimacy of the workshops, which resulted in songs relevant to the participants, served to excite and motivate the young people.

The Songs
During the workshops each community had an opportunity to write and produce a song. The songs were all recorded and sung by Archie, Ruby and the children. The possibility of producing a CD from these songs is being developed at the moment.

Youth Conference
Towards the end of the tour Archie and Ruby joined a number of Aboriginal musicians for a live to air concert at the Indigenous Adolescent Health Conference held in Cooktown. Also performing were a group of 6 young girls who called themselves "Anangu Mara Mara". The girls aged 9-16 wrote and performed the song "Rising above the Waves of Dispossession" all in one day. Although they were not involved in the Tour itself there was a feeling of excitement and importance being felt by Cape York Aboriginal youth, generally, about what they too could achieve.

Goal Visits
Aboriginal inmates make up a statistically disproportionate number of Australia's prison population. They are at a greater risk of being imprisoned and of dying in custody than any other section of the community. Cape York Aboriginal people are sent to goals great distances from their communities and as a result visits by family are infrequent or impossible. There can be great loneliness and despair, loss of self-esteem and sense of identity.

The tour aimed to include a total of four goals located in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton. In an environment where their race and culture are so often a source of derision, they were able to share pride and joy in their cultures strength, beauty and richness through Archie and Ruby's captivating music.

For more information contact michael.winer@balkanu.com.au