'WE'VE GOT TO KEEP SINGING

For generations the Tiwi Islanders have shared their stories and traditions by song

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For the women who make up the Tiwi Strong Women’s Choir, music is a part of their everyday lives. It’s how the islanders tell traditional stories about their land, heritage and community and how they pass on their history to future generations.

“Singing makes me feel good and proud. I feel happy singing with them. I feel alive and happy inside,” says group member Gemma Munkara of being part of the choir that has members ranging in age from their 50s to 80s. “We’ve got to keep on singing. It is in us, and we have to spread it to the young ones.”

Another choir member, Marie-Carmel Kantilla, tells Woman’s Day how the group works to support the rest of the community, young and old. “It’s a part of our life, making people aware of our culture, helping each other with problems. We are caring for them, all the ladies. When the young ones come to us for support, we make them feel that they’re loved.”

When musician Genevieve Campbell first heard the women singing in 2006, she was immediately entranced.