Reflections and Voices in New York

Aaron Corn, ARC Future Fellow and Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology at the ANU School of Music, has been recognised for his work in providing insight into former Australian of the Year Mandawuy Yunupi�Κu and his band Yothu Yindi.

In the early 1990s the band Yothu Yindi rose to prominence with their song "Treaty".  Yothu Yindi's popularity grew as a result of their blending of pop music and traditional Indigenous styles from remote Arnhem Land.  The early 1990s in Australia were a time when Indigenous reconciliation was quite prominent.  Prime Minister Paul Keating delivered his "Redfern address" and the Mabo land rights decision was handed down by the High Court.  Yothu Yindi's themes and messages became a driving force in highlighting issues of reconcilitaion.

Aaron Corn has written a book Reflections and Voices: Exploring the music of Yothu Yindi with Mandawuy Yunupi�Κu which explores the events and ideas behind the band's most remembered songs from the perspective of Yunupi�Κu.

This book was just the starting point for Aaron Corn whose documentary of the same name was recently awarded a Silver Radio in the New York Festivals Radio Program and Promotion Awards for the 2011 World's Best Radio Programs.  This award was the culmination of a decade-long research project. 

The New York Festivals Radio Program and Promotion Awards have been recognising the World's best radio programs for 54 years.  This year's awards were held on 20 June at the Manhattan Penthouse in New York City. 

The award is a credit to Aaron Corn and his ability to re-tell the story of this important figure in Australian history and the story behind the music of an iconic Australian band.

The full documentary can be heard here.