Reconciliation song highlights the importance of forgiving and working together for Australia’s future

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) announced in preparation for Reconciliation Week, IndigiTUBE and Amrap are pre-releasing one of the tracks from First Sounds Vol 8, Reconciliation, an upbeat reggae track from Minjungbal (Bundjalung) man Garry Kafoa.

Donna Woods, from First Nations Media Australia’s indigiTUBE project, said, “The track, first written and released for Reconciliation Week 2021 was entered and selected by First Sounds’ panel of First Nations judges for Vol.8 and speaks to the hope of one day soon having reconciliation. Its strong message and the way it highlights the value of intergenerational conversations on this country's long and continuing journey toward reconciliation made it a wonderful way for First Sounds partners indigiTUBE and Amrap to acknowledge Reconciliation Week 2022.”

Artist Garry Kafoa said, “This is a song about an Elder who speaks with some younger people about his life and the hope of one day soon having reconciliation. He speaks of how he has seen bad days and how he has seen the good days and how he has seen changes for the better. The Elder tells of how he sees Reconciliation working, he tells them you need a little bit of hope and a little bit of love and most importantly forgiveness and kindness from the sky above. He speaks of how we have come a long way, but there is a long way to go.”

Reflecting on Reconciliation Week 2022’s theme of being ‘Be brave. Make a change.’, Mr Kafoa said, “Reconciliation is forgiveness and kindness. We need this to move forward as one mob. My vision is we walk together as a proud solid mob for the future of all children. To be brave. Make a Change. To be Brave and break the cycle of the past discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

IndigiTUBE invited the other First Nations artists who will feature on the upcoming First Sounds Vol.8 release to share their thoughts on Reconciliation Week and the 2022 theme. Three of the other Vol.8 artists said:

John Grant pka BLANCHE, “The theme “Be Brave. Make Change” really resonates with me and my musical journey. A few years ago, I was at a crossroads in my life as I had a job in hospitality, earning good money and having a very comfortable life but I felt as if I wasn’t being true to what I really wanted to do with my life and that was pursue music, so I left my job and decided that I would give 100% of my focus on music, that meant putting in countless hours of learning production, experimenting with genres and analysing many artists that I admire. 

“It has been by far the biggest decision and change I’ve made in my life, many times I’ve questioned myself and whether or not I had the ability to achieve my dream but as loud as these doubts can be, I know that my dream of being that musician and love for music is too strong to be silenced.”

Zack Mcleod said, “As a songwriter and performer, I trust that it's important to believe in yourself and make a positive change. By looking after yourself will impact everyone else exponentially. Reconciliation with your body mind and soul is the way I see on how to be brave and make change. As it starts from your inner essence. 

Andrew Gurruwiwi from Andrew Guruwiwi Band, said, “Be brave, make change. I've been making music my whole life, and now as an old man things are starting to happen for me. Make your own style, be your own self, sing your own song.”

First Sounds Vol.8 will be released in early June 2022.