Composer, guitarist, and singer-songwriter Uncle Joe Geia performed a seamless blend of music, history and storytelling as part of a special National Reconciliation Week event at the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland.
After a welcome from SMI Director Rick Valenta and a Welcome to Country and short remarks from Steven Coghill, senior Yagara native title holder, over 60 staff, students and guests of the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) and the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology were treated to six songs from Uncle Joe as he explained the inspirations and history behind each work.
"Music is a good place to put your truth-telling," Uncle Joe said, "You walk away with a simple melody instead of guilt and that melody will keep bringing you back... and then you will start to listen to the lyrics and ask what they mean."
Uncle Joe was backed-up on bass guitar by SMI Research Fellow Phill McKenna and on violin by Ruth Ross Pe'er.
Credit: Phill McKenna
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is recognised annually from 27 May to 3 June and the week provides an important opportunity for Australians to come together and learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. It is a time to reflect on the past and explore ways we can contribute to a more inclusive future and help foster a society that values respectful relationships between non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
For more information about reconciliation efforts, please visit Reconciliation Australia's website. We invite you to explore reconciliation at UQ, view our events program below, and join us in supporting this important initiative and working towards a better Australia.
This event was put together by the SMI UQ RAP Implementation Committee. Learn more about their efforts here: https://smi.uq.edu.au/files/72467/SMI%20RAP%20IP.pdf
