4-day songwriting experience for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori songwriters has just wrapped at Meanjin/ Brisbane's 4000 Studios
12 First Nations participants from both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Inaugural IPUKAREA program took place in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland last year
A collection of the finest Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori songwriters have just wrapped up four days of collaborative songwriting in their own languages at the EMEBA NAW WAIATA songwriting camp at 4000 Studios in Meanjin/ Brisbane.
EMEBA NAW WAIATA is presented by the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) and Te Tautāwhinga – kaitito puoro, kaitito pūoru (APRA AMCOS NZ). The program aims to strengthen and celebrate cultural bonds between the region’s Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori artists, music-makers and songwriters.
Following last year's successful IPUKAREA program in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, which featured some of Australia and Aotearoa’s finest artists, this year’s event marks the second edition of this unique cultural and musical collaboration.
The name ‘EMEBA NAW WAIATA’ was created by 2023 program participants, and means ‘Song’ in three different languages: EMEBA (Anindiliyakwa) gifted by Emily Wurramara, NAW (Meriam Mir/Kala Lagaw Ya) gifted by Chris Tamwoy and WAIATA (Te Reo Māori).
"We have been so excited to facilitate this year's EMEBA NAW WAIATA program in Meanjin/Brisbane and can't wait to hear the incredible music that will be created. Last year's program had a profound impact on the artists, both culturally and musically, and we are committed to continuing that legacy.
“Music featuring Indigenous languages deserves to be celebrated not just locally, but on a national and international stage, and we're proud to be associated with this program and the collaboration of deadly Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori artists,” said Nathaniel Andrew, Senior Manager, NATSIMO.
Congrats to this year's participants!