There’s something different about Lullabies Swan… there are a lot more men in the room than we’ve seen in previous Lullabies projects, which see First Nations communities work with Noongar artists to write and record their own original lullabies in Noongar.

That’s because the participants for Lullabies Swan are drawn from Indigo Junction’s Moorditj Maaman (Strong Men) and Maali Deadly Yorgas (Women) groups for First Nations community members.

During the creative development stage of this project, male participants from the Moorditj Maaman group have revealed themselves as keen and creative songwriters, celebrating cultural identity and pride.

Facilitated by Noongar singer/songwriter Cyndy Moody, Bibbulman Noongar musician/songwriter Kobi Arthur Morrison and Noongar artist Sharyn Egan, creative workshops cover song-writing, language, doll-making and storytelling.

Working collaboratively is central to the creative process, and the group began by talking about revered Noongar leader Yagan, who is remembered for his courage as a resistance fighter when the Swan River was first colonised. Together the facilitators and community members have built a song around Yagan’s story and memory.

The process of shaping and translating each song has been undertaken collaboratively, with Cyndy and Kobi working one-on-one with community members. By providing this safe cultural space in the form of Noongar language support, the project is providing opportunities for healing from difficult experiences and memories.

Over the next few weeks the song lyrics and scores will be finalised, in preparation for recording sessions in July. The recorded songs will then be compiled into an album and songbook, to be launched at a celebration in October supported by the City of Swan.

Lullabies Swan is presented in partnership with Indigo Junction, Maali Deadly Yorgas, Moorditj Maaman, City of Swan and Midland Junction Arts Centre.