In a powerful show of unity, an Australian rock band has teamed up with Indigenous musicians and performers from the Northern Territory for triple j’s latest instalment of, Like A Version.
The collaboration between Adelaide-grown band Bad/Dreems and Aboriginal artists Emily Wurramara, and Bradley Bura and Don Nunggarrgalu from the North East Arnhem Land based band, Mambali reproduce the Wurumpi Band's ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’.
The track was originally written by Neil Murray and George Rrurrambu Burarrwanga in the mid-1980s and is widely considered an anthem for equality and reconciliation.
The collaboration also brought in Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett to contribute on vocals.
In the recent past the song has also been covered by notable Australian artists including Missy Higgins, Powderfinger and the legendary Yorta Yorta singer, Uncle Jimmy Little on his hit 1999 album, Messenger.
Taking to Facebook, Bad/Dreems said “the message of unity that this song espouses is as poignant now as it was when it was first delivered by George in 1986, especially given the events of this week”.
On Saturday, 19-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot in his home by a police officer in the remote NT community of Yuendumu.
The police were allegedly attempting to arrest Mr Walker for “outstanding offences” that breached a bail bond.
The tragedy sparked a week of solidarity demonstrations across the nation, each calling for justice for the family of Mr Walker and the community of Yuendumu.
On Wednesday night the 28-year-old policeman was charged with murder over the shooting.
The case is being treated as a death in custody and a full investigation has commenced in response to the incident.
