By Ignatius Kim
Hurtling to international success with the hit single "Treaty", Yothu Yindi have become the cultural ambassadors for traditional Australian music. After representing Australia at the UN launch of the International Year for the World's Indigenous Peoples a year ago, Mandawuy Yunupingu went on to become Australian of the Year. He is now much sought after as a spokesperson on Aboriginal issues.
"Freedom is all about embracing change, the kind of change that should take place in the Year for the World's Indigenous Peoples", says Yunupingu of Yothu Yindi's latest album.
Freedom has built on the formula that brought them success: a skilful fusion of modern, slightly funky, arrangements and traditional Arnhem Land vocals and lyrics. Yet it is a diverse album, which also includes recordings of traditional songs. The strength of Yothu Yindi's style lies in an equal mastery of both musical forms.
"I hope Freedom challenges people to find their inner self, to find out who they are, where they are and where we're going to", Yunupingu told 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly.
As the International Year comes to a close, introspection may be a reaction for some, but for the majority of Aborigines (and indigenous peoples around the world for that matter) the unchanged situation calls for something more, as the recent death in custody of Daniel Yock shows.
"There's a lot of picking up to do in community participation, in education, health and, especially, law because it is going to play such a big role with Mabo becoming a part of that law", believes Yunupingu.
"The law is going to have to be developed in terms of making Aboriginal views equal with the white views. That's going to be something to look forward to.
"The Mabo legislation is a fair kind of situation. The prime minister [during the televised launch of the legislation] was trying to appeal to people to look at the federal government's proposal, which I think is fair. It just means that all parties, the Liberal Party and others involved, as well as interest groups, all have to come to terms with that and try to work out the best situation at the individual level."
Yothu Yindi's conciliatory approach is reflected in Freedom, in which the emphasis remains on highlighting traditional culture.
For Yunupingu, music is a vehicle for cultural education: "Education is the key to awareness about cultural differences and implanting respect for multicultural society."
The title track declares: "Making money can be one thing/ Building bridges can be the other one/ All it takes is understanding now/ To make that dream come true."
Other songs include separate collaborations with Neil Finn and Andrew Farris (INXS). The album is receiving international attention, and Yothu Yindi have just returned from a tour of Japan. Next year, they will embark on a world tour that includes the US, Germany and South Africa.