Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta
Fundraiser for Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta ‘Strong Women’ Music Program in Yuendumu, NT. donate here
“In language [Walpiri] ‘Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta’ means ‘Strong Women’. The Young Women of Yuendumu School are the future leaders of our community, so we need to be strong.”
The aim of the Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta program is to provide instruments, dedicated space, tuition and mentorship for the young (strong) women of Yuendumu to learn, play and write music.
In 2019, PAW Media established weekly music workshops for young women with the hope that music performance could become a bigger part of life for them. Becoming engaged in music as performers would also provide a first step towards the future employment of young women within the media industry. Yuendumu has a wealth of established bands and talented musicians, but it’s rare to see any women among their ranks.
During a visit to Yuendumu in 2019, Bree van Reyk was a guest mentor at the workshops, and has forged an ongoing relationship with members of the Radio and Music programs at PAW. As part of Bree’s MASSIVE BAND program, she is organising a fundraiser to support Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta to purchase instruments and provide further workshops and mentoring for the Strong Women of Yuendumu.
We all know that learning and performing music has enormously positive effects for young people with regard to overall health, mental health and self-esteem. PAW Media, the Yuendumu Community, Bree van Reyk, Yuendumu School, Jodie Kell (Ripple Effect Band) and MusicNT are working together in fostering the Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta program and we’re asking for your help so that the positive effects of this program will be felt for many years and many more Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta to come!
Steps for Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta
The first stage of the program is to provide dedicated instruments and a rehearsal space at PAW for Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta, and to support the musical development of these Strong Women through mentorship from within the Yuendumu Community, video tutorials and exchanges with the professional musicians from MASSIVE BAND (pro-bono) and students from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Contemporary Music Program (also pro-bono).
The second stage of the program will involve in-person workshops through Music NT’s Sista Sounds project, programs with Ripple Effect Band and potential in-person exchanges with students from the Sydney Conservatorium.
The final aim for the program is to record and release music from the band/s of Pirrjirdi Karnta-Karnta at PAW and hit the road! Future performance opportunities include Bush Bands Bash, Barunga Festival and beyond.
About PAW Media
PAW Media and Communications is a Warlpiri owned and run Not-for-profit Organisation based in Yuendumu, Northern Territory. PAW was originally established as ‘Warlpiri Media Association’ in 1983, but now trades under the name ‘PAW Media and Communications’. The name ‘PAW’ is an acronym that reflects the Pintubi, Anmatjere and Warlpiri language groups that are serviced by the organisation. For over 35 years PAW has been creating TV, films, radio and music in language, according to local cultural protocols. In addition to creating local media productions and documenting local culture, PAW provides media training, digital literacy programs and employment opportunities for the people of Yuendumu and surrounding communities. more here
About MASSIVE BAND
Bree van Reyk established the MASSIVE BAND project in 2015 as a means to provide opportunity for women of all ages and musical abilities to play in a giant rock band together. The project provides tuition and mentoring for beginners and those who’ve never been on stage before from many of Australia’s leading ladies of rock. more here