RECOGNISE teams up with a music industry organisation

APRA AMCOS, Australia’s leading music rights management organisation, and the RECOGNISE campaign have joined forces to raise awareness within the music industry of the need for constitutional change.

The two organisations have created a new position to help RECOGNISE in its work of raising awareness of the need for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution and dealing with the racial discrimination in it.

Danielle Tuwai has been appointed Project Manager for the RECOGNISE Campaign and is designing and leading a program of engagement for artists and the industry.

Danielle’s role will see her work across the two organisations to co-ordinate education and engagement within the music industry and reach out to audiences through events and media.

Danielle previously worked as the Arts Development and Events Coordinator at Gadigal Information Service and was a host of Artbeat on Koori Radio, the leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media organisation based in Sydney. Danielle founded Redfern Night Markets and has been singing for 20 years in bands that advocate for social change including 2indij, South West Syndicate, The Carl Stewart Band and The Renegades of Munk. Born in Aotearoa and raised in Waterloo, Sydney, Danielle is of Maori (Ngati Porou and Nga Puhi) and Fijian/Tongan (Dalaconi and Leimatua) descent.

“As an Indigenous woman living in Gadigal Country it is important for me to be involved with processes (no matter how complex) that raise diverse conversations towards respectfully acknowledging the first people of this land,” Danielle said.

“Through this, I hope that a path/paths can be forged to create long overdue change towards Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island empowerment and in doing so enrich the broader community.

“Because of my own heritage, I am aware of the impact that colonialism has had upon indigenous nations.”

“RECOGNISE is thrilled to have such strong support from APRA AMCOS, with its large influence within the music community, and an extensive connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwriters and musicians,” RECOGNISE Digital Campaign Manager, Shannan Dodson said.

“This partnership draws on a long history of activism by artists, musicians and performers who have a strong voice and are influential campaigners on important social issues.