E Girlz - 'Wutunugurra'
This song was created as part of a four week Desert Pea Media mentoring program in the remote desert community of Wutunugurra (otherwise known as Epenarra) in Australia's Northern Territory in 2013. A partnership between DPM and Barkly Shire CDEP, the project focused on two major programs in Alyawarr Country - Wutunugurra and Ampilatwatja NT, spanning two months in total. The outcomes will be released in October 2013 on an limited release EP/DVD publication titled 'The Alyawarr Sessions', which will be circulated around Alyawarr communities free of charge. The package includes a 16 page booklet that documents the community songwriting process, and some cultural information about the focus areas. Here is a section of text from the booklet focusing on this particular production - The people of the Alyawarr Aboriginal language group have lived on the edge of the Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory for thousands of generations. Alyawarr language is spoken north west of Alice Springs, in the Utopia homelands, Ammaroo (Ampilatwatja), Wutunugurra (Epenarra), Murray Downs, Alekarenge, Canteen Creek, Alpurruralum (Lake Nash) and also Tennant Creek. The Alyawarr belief system comes from a complex network of story, song, dance, place, family and a deep connection to country. Storytelling has always been an intrinsic part of Alyawarr culture. The 'E Girlz' are a group of young women from Wutunugurra in the Northern Territory. With the support and direction of DPM facilitator Gail Mabo, we were able to build friendships and write and record a song with a group of nine female participants. The process was a challenge for the girls. With many family responsibilities such as children, and cultural challenges also, the process was nothing short of groundbreaking for the DPM staff and for the girls themselves and their community. 'The Bush Bus' is a service that runs between communities in the Barkly region, and is a symbol for local community for travelling to and from 'home'. The girls identified a deep feeling of connection to their community. From the landscape of the Davenport ranges, the local river, the smell of campfire and cooking kangaroo tail, collecting native honey, and life with family and friends, Wutunugurra is very much "home sweet home". They also identified social issues such as binge drinking and its effect on local families. They discussed these issues in both the workshops the song, using a fusion of traditional language and English. The chorus is a contemporary chant, featuring traditional phrase, reiterating an emotional and strong connection to community and culture - and a love for homeland. 'Wutunugurra' is an ode to the traditional country of the Alyawarr people of Wutunugurra (Epenarra), who will often travel between communities, but will always return home. Produced and Directed by Toby Finlayson in collab with young people from Wutunugurra Written by Toby Finlayson and Joel 'Roc West' Westlake Music written and produced by Joel 'Roc West' Westlake Music video shot, directed and edited by Toby Finlayson Assistant Camera Operator/ Grip by Joel 'Roc West' Westlake Choreography by Gail Mabo Audio Mixing/ Mastering by David Nicholas Motion Graphics/ Grading by Roy Weiland
