Music NT is proud to announce the launch of the Sista Sounds Central Australian Indigenous Music Development Plan.

Sista Sounds is a regional plan for the development of Indigenous Women’s Music in Central Australia, created through a series of consultations & workshops. The plan will be used to give Indigenous women’s music the targeted development injection that it needs, and to support programs and projects to be strategic and coordinated.

Music NT will visit communities throughout Central Australia, conducting workshops and consultations to:

•            Engage, inspire local Indigenous women and girls to get involved in music

•            Promote women’s music

•            Document and share women’s music, songs, and stories about music

•            Talk about Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges in terms of local women’s music

•            Map future visions and goals, and steps to reach those goals, and

•            Make an audit of existing skills and interest, as well as resources within communities and regions.

The information and stories gathered through the project will be written up after the workshops and used to garner support for Indigenous women’s music programs. Songs that are created can be shared through the media centres and community radio networks.

Music NT Alice Springs Coordinator Milyika Scales is  looking forward to Sista Sounds. “One of the best things for me is just how excited everyone else is about it too!” she said, adding that “everyone from the region is totally excited and keen to get involved!”

Singer/songwriter Tashka Urban* and Eddi Donald (The Transients) are two local musicians and facilitators who will also work with Milyika, in the Sista Sounds development program.

Sista Sounds will run in the following Central Australia regions, and on the following 2011 dates:

•            Alice Springs (NT) – April 20-27

•            Yuendumu (NT) – May 4-8

•            Wingellina (WA) – May 10-13

•            Umuwa (SA) – May 16-20

•            Tennant Creek (NT) – May 30-June 3

If you would like to be involved with this project, please start talking to Indigenous women and girls you know in your area who are interested in singing or making music.

Tell them about this project, and let them know the dates that Music NT will be around their community.

Then contact Coordinator Milyika Scales at Music NT to find out more information, on (08) 8952 0322 or milyika@musicnt.com.au

Look forward to seeing you there!

*Originally selected to be a facilitator in Sista Sounds , Catherine Satour has had to withdraw, to take up an opportunity with the ‘X Factor’ TV program (she has advanced to the next round of auditions).

Words: Megan Spencer & Milyika Scales.