Roebourne artists bring people together at the Songs for Freedom concert

Perth residents had the chance to hear from some of Roebourne’s leading entertainers and musicians at a community concert this month. Songs for Freedom was held along the Swan River at Point Walter Riverside Park and was hosted by the Roebourne community, The City of Melville and Big hART with 3000 people attending. Local elders and artists who performed included Yindjibarndi elder Allery Sandy, Ngarluma elder Jean Churnside, Ngarluma cultural leader and performer Patrick Churnside, Kuruma Yindjibarndi singer-songwriter Josie Alec, Ngarluma singer-songwriter Tyson Mowarin and artist Rachel James Mason. The hit song for the evening was Fighting for Freedom performed by Naomi Pigram and written by Roebourne Regional Prison inmates. Songs for Freedom narrator and Yindjibarndi woman Michelle Adams thanked Perth for embracing the people and art of Roebourne. “This journey has been and still continues to be inspiring to people everywhere,” she said. “Songs for Freedom — staying strong and motivated by the desire for change, to feel valued, to feel you can achieve, influence people into peaceful ways of active dialogue with governments, is all part of this beautiful and methodical practice. “With wonderful and caring mentors and friends we are smashing stereotypes. I look forward to a huge shift in conversations on social justice for First Nations People. “It’s going to be a few days to let this all sink in, Thank you Perth and the City of Melville, thank you for embracing us with your generosity of spirit.”