Songs for Freedom is an uplifting concert of original songs created by Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi artists in the Pilbara town of Roebourne WA. Alongside the concert is a campaign to highlight the high incarceration rates of Aboriginal children in Australian prisons. The concert and campaign will tour nationally in 2023.
Since 2010, supported by Elders, the project has delivered workshops in the community, the school and the prison, creating digital content, music, theatre and performance to change the negative stories told about Roebourne. Songs for Freedom has its foundations in workshops involving the family of John Pat, who died in custody in 1983 and triggered the Royal Commission into deaths in custody.
• Aboriginal children are 24 times more likely than non-Aboriginal children to end up in jail.
• Of the six hundred 10-13 year olds in jail in 2018-19, 65% were Aboriginal.
• Aboriginal children spend on average 71 days in prison compared to 50 days for non-Aboriginal children.
• Evidence doesn’t support the idea that Aboriginal children commit more crimes, rather it highlights systemic issues such as over-policing.
Songs for Freedom is a moving and optimistic, family friendly, free concert, raising awareness of this urgent issue. Alongside the concert, Big hART is working with State and Federal Attorney Generals to change the systemic issues which lead to the damaging incarceration of young people like John Pat.
Songs for Freedom will work hand-in-hand with the community of Roebourne, to deliver a positive message to the country as a legacy to John Pat’s family by the 40th anniversary of his passing on September 28th 2023.
“ROEBOURNE ARTISTS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AT SONGS FOR FREEDOM CONCERT”
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT – HERE
Unlock the Future is the platform where you can pledge your support, to call for urgent change to keep young Aboriginal people from jail and unlock their future.
LISTEN TO THE ALBUM – HERE
BUY THE ALBUM – HERE
TICKETS FOR DARWIN JUNE 23/24 – HERE
Creative Credits
With thanks to the Pat family
Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Elders – Allery Sandy and Jeanie Churnside
The Freedom Collective:
Aiden Hughes
David Hyams
Fred Ryan
John Bennett
Jay Jarome
Kankawa Nagarra
Kate Pass
Kendall Smith
Kimberley Wilson
Lucky Oceans
Naomi Pigram
Patrick Churnside
Rose Pat
Tehya Makani
Tyson Mowarin
Talya Valenti
Wendy Darby
With Special guest appearances by:
Kutcha Edwards
Brian Ritchie
Dewayne Everett Smith
Vikki Thorn
Stephen PigraM
Creative Team
Scott Rankin – Creative Director
Lucky Oceans – Musical Director
David Hyams – Associate Musical Director
Jordan East – Video Design
Stephen Hawker – Lighting Design