380 Crew - 'Yaegl Biirrinba'

Added by Desert Pea Media

Description Desert Pea Media is very proud to announce our very first production from Yaegl country in Northern NSW. This production brought together Elders, community members and young people from Maclean, Yamba and surrounding communities to create a conversation about culture, identity and wellbeing.

This project was funded by the Yugilbar Foundation, the first of two projects to take place in this community. The campaign was developed to create awareness and conversation about mental health and well-being for Indigenous young people in the Clarence Valley, and to create inter-generational dialogue around community, culture, country and identity.

‘Yaegl Biirrinba' (This Is Our River) was created in June 2018, the result of a five day Desert Pea Media storytelling workshop. Co-written by, and starring, an incredibly talented group of Indigenous young people enrolled at Maclean High School, community members and local Elders - with support from DPM staff and local services.

Desert Pea Media projects involve a dialogue-based storytelling process that encourages participants to analyse 'the real', 'the ideal' and 'the bridge'. In simple terms this means critically thinking about how to create positive change for yourself, for each other and for our communities.

‘Yaegl Biirrinba’ is a celebration of culture, community and country. In a context where mental health and suicide are at a crisis point for Indigenous young people around the nation, this song is a reminder of the strength, resilience and cultural identity of the Yaegl people.

This project featured the musical direction and production of DPM producer Josh Nicholas (aka Hazy). We thank you brother for you artistic vision and hard work. Also huge thanks to Jannali Doncaster, a Yaegl hip hop artist, cultural activist and mentor - who joined the DPM squad for the first time on this project.

Special thanks to Liza Hamilton and the staff at Maclean High School. And huge thanks to Madeleine and the team at Yulgilbar Foundation for funding this important project. Respect and gratitude to all the Yaegl people. Big love to all you mob, and thanks for having us on country!!