COLUMNS 3

challenge and find a positive solu­ got the strength to do that—then I tion." think that's the way to go. We may have made some compromises but The family Mandawuy refers to is we've retained the essence, our indeed strong, both spiritually and integrity is not being politically. In 1963, in one of the ear­ threatened. In fact we're enriching liest expressions of the Aboriginal our culture." land rights movement, Mandawuy's father presented the Peti­ The success of Treaty, which deals tion—an attempt to control bauxite with government's mining in —before the failure to draw up the treaty between House of Representatives. And his black and white Australia promised brother Galarrwuy, who also by Bob Hawke in 1988, has seen tren­ provides vocals on a track on Tribal dy nightclubbers the world over PROFILE Voice, is chair of the Northern lands dancing to a song that's not only Council. For his part, Mandawuy political but combines the traditional decided the future of his people lay in music of a 60,000-year-old culture Mandawuy education. He became the first with state of the art technology and is Aboriginal university graduate from sung largely in an Aboriginal lan­ Yunupingu his region (the area around Gove, in guage. While the song's message east Arnhem Land) and is now the clearly goes over the head of many When the dance music remix of principal of the Yirrkala school, dancers, Mandawuy's pleased if just 's Treaty finally buret where he's pioneering a curriculum a few get the point. And as seriously into the Australian Top 20 last year, that emphasises both Yolngu as he takes his responsibilities (he s the sound of consciences being (Aboriginal) and Bandala (European) currently taking two years' leave salved was almost audible. For years learning. without pay to concentrate on musi­ there had been veiled accusations of cal activities), he also takes an almost racism aimed at the Australian capricious delight in being such an music industry, particularly com­ unlikely pop star. Sure, he wants to mercial radio, concerning the lack of educate, but equally he also wants to recognition and opportunity given entertain. to Aboriginal musicians. While other musicians might already be putting down the deposit on the Suddenly those accusations seemed country house in Bowral and the fleet to have less substance; a round of of vintage cars, Mandawuy has other communal back-slapping ensued plans. At present he's putting and the band's commercial success together a proposal to have a cultural was followed by a plethora of awards centre, complete with recording for the single, its accompanying studio, built in his community—the video clip and the from which idea being that it will act as a forum it was taken, . This marriage of cultures is typical of for interaction with other indigenous the approach taken by Mandawuy peoples from around the world. He For Yothu Yindi's leader and and his Gumatj clan. Mandawuy is sees Yothu Yindi's growing profile spokesperson, Mandawuy Yunupin- neither militant nor separatist; rather, (and his own) as the perfect oppor­ gu, this recognition is just reward for he's a realist who believes that retain­ tunity to agitate and build bridges, to years of hard work and determina­ ing Aboriginality does not mean be both the fly in the ointment and the tion. Essentially optimistic, you get rejecting the best of what other cul­ oil on stormy waters. the impression he always felt com­ tures have to offer. This is reflected mercial success was just around the not only in Mandawuy's approach to "This may be the best platform we've next comer, despite the lack of prece­ education and politics but also to had yet for getting our message dents. Yet Mandawuy's outlook music and technology. across and telling people overseas hasn't always been so positive. "In about the plight of Aborigines in my time I've been without hope," he "These days we're doing more com­ Australia—and also our strengths," says. "I was angry, I got into fights. promising in terms of cultural situa­ says Mandawuy. "Now, you can talk I've turned to drinking, I've been tions, and you've got to do it because all you want, but I reckon nothing locked up...But I've changed now be­ you're dealing with the commercial communicates like music" cause I know my family is really aspects of the music industry. As long strong and powerful. Instead of being as our values, beliefs and principles STUART HITCHINGS is a freelance angry and turning away, I'd rather remain intact—and I reckon we've music journalist.

M X : JUNE 1992