Cultural Heights, a large-scale work combining First Peoples’ choral songs, traditional languages and storytelling, was commissioned for the 2019 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) and performed at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.
The work celebrated the powerful cultural expressions of Far North Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with audiences experiencing traditional songs and stories rarely heard outside First Nations communities, along with the unique vocal styles, music and instruments of the region.
CIAF collaborated closely with three choir directors: Deline Briscoe (Bama Choir – Yarrabah, Wujal Wujal and Hopevale communities); Joey Tapau (Mer Ira Watai Choir – Mer); and Phillemon Mosby (Kulkalgal Choir – Poruma, Masig, Iama and Warraber). Choir champions were also heavily involved – these were: Merindi Schrieber (Bama Choir); Karen Noah (Mer Ira Watai Choir); and Freddie David (Kulkalgal Choir).
The premiere production was one of the first projects funded through Arts Queensland's Backing Indigenous Arts – Performing Arts (New Commissions) funding stream, which supports Queensland’s First Nations peoples and communities through commissioning of new works, creative development and audience building initiatives.
CIAF is an event where independent First Nations artists and companies, Indigenous Art Centres and communities present the unique stories and extraordinary art works of the region and share their culture for all to enjoy.
13 July 2019 at Cairns Performing Arts Centre
$150,000 – through Backing Indigenous Arts – Performing Arts (New Commissions) for new contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performance works.
The Queensland Government’s landmark Backing Indigenous Arts initiative supports sustainable and ethical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industries across the state.
CIAF's approach to the protection of cultural property, sacredness of the songs and acknowledgement of song custodians and communities was received favourably, ultimately strengthening the relationship between CIAF and those who participated in the project.
Elders and participating communities provided clear instruction to CIAF that the use of traditional songs and original new songs devised through the project were only to be distributed to those involved. This was a pivotal direction that reinforced connection to Country, song, language and culture.
CIAF was also advised by the communities to produce five separate Songbooks to reflect the five language groups: Miriam Mir (Mer), Kala Lagaw Ya (Central Islands), Gunggandji (Yarrabah), Guugu Yimithirr (Hope Vale) and Ku Ku Yalanji (Wujal Wujal). Each choir and community group received their own audio recording and video. They also received their choir group version of the Songbook, with songs written in their traditional language and images.
The project set an unprecedented legal framework for intellectual property and cultural protocols, while educating communities on protecting culture and language.
Respect cultural protocols: The project published a Cultural Heights Songbook, featuring lyrics in traditional language with background story to the songs, and images of choir members and community, in line with cultural protocols, and followed Elders’ advice that these songbooks were only provided to participants and their communities, not to the general public.
Encourage feedback from participants: CIAF was in constant communication with choir directors and champions seeking feedback and advice, which assisted in guiding the project. Choir directors delivered reports monthly and a final debrief was held. Elders, choir members and community leaders and members also provided feedback during the pre-production process.