Next step is to listen to Gurrumul singing Wiyathul. Entirely in his native tongue, it has been described as the most beautiful song ever written. It encapsulates all that is wonderful about modern Aboriginal music. Wiyathul is a longing for place.

This song has so much more meaning now that I have been living and working in East Arnhem Land, Yolgnu country...the people are amazing and their beliefs, songlines and dreaming stories are extraordinarily special

Another indigenous pair of Aussies to listen to: Archie Roach (They Took the Children Away) and Gurrumul (Djarimirri)

I believe it is the Yolngu language in Treaty. There are as many languages as there are tribal groups. There isn't a 'universal Aboriginal" language. So many areas are now trying to resurrect their language, and near to me are two areas doing just that within the local Indigenous folk, but it is also available to any who want to learn and continue a Culture.

You've summed up the significance of this song really well. When the Brits claimed part of Australia for the Crown in 1788, they declared the land 'terra nullius' (devoid of people). Aboriginals were considered to be fauna like kangaroos & koalas, not people. This disgraceful situation was finally rectified in a 1967 referendum. Land dispossession and loss of culture, however, are still big issues today. BTW, every time you do a video, I think how well you'd fit in if you settled in Australia. You seem to 'get' us 🙂

I still get chills every time I hear this and it’s on my daily playlist. The language is beautiful. The message is powerful. Sadly, we are still waiting for Treaty. 🙏🏼🪃❤️

Yay 🎉 finally did Treaty, thank you 🙏please do Gurrumul next, he had the voice of an angel and his version of amazing grace in his native language is so beautiful 💕

Thanks for paying to respect 2 my people.... I'm a Noongah woman from Western Australia... oldest living culture on Earth we've been ere for more than 65000 years

I won't say too much on the First Nation issues because I'm too sick to type a lot today, but I will say what a joy it is to have Australian First Nations music and language. The rest of us are immigrant families, no matter how many generations in, while this is the first culture belonging to the Australian land. I don't know much language past place names, but those place names are fundamentally Australian, and I love them. No matter how much we fuse and enjoy culture from all around the world, *This* is unique to our continent and associated islands. These are the people with the 40,000-70,000 year old living cultural history. These are the people who can live off the land when stripped back down to nothing. These are the ones who believe they belong to the land, not that land belongs to them.

Find the map of all the Australian Tribes...it is incredible to see. I am from Noongar Country....I am Wadjilla ( White ) and am attempting to learn their language. I have ALWAYS Respected Our First Nations People 💛🖤❤

I got see Yothu Yindi live. I took my sister and 3 nephews and had a great time. We felt so proud. When they finished I suggested we wait around the back to get their autographs. We went to the parking lot saw their tour bus and hung around for them. They came straight towards us gave us their autographs on a brown paper sandwich bag and had a photo taken with us. One of the best moments of my life 🖤💛❤️🪃

Great song with a powerful message. The traditional name for the didgeridoo is actually 'Yidaki" and they call the playing of it dancing on the edge. Its such an amazing instrument, both the sound and how it's played. They actually have to breath in and out at the same time! Since you're interested in the first nation's people, I would highly recommend watching the movie 'The Sapphires'' which is a true story and the son of the lead singer in the band helped produce the movie. It's a group of indigenous women who went and sang to the troops in Vietnam during the war. It has a great story to it and has our wonderful singer Jessica Mauboy and actress Deborah Mailman in as well as other great actors. You'd really enjoy it though it does have a sad streak through it about the stolen generation.

Been listening to Yothu Tindi since I was a kid and my stepdad introduced me to them, theyre a cool group.

This was a very popular song in the 80s show casing the culture of indigenous people here, I still love it ❤

Love this song. Heads up - when playing video/audio etc that feature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, you should also put the following warning: "...Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this video may contain images, voices and videos of deceased persons..." This is because in some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, hearing recordings, seeing images, or the names of deceased persons may cause sadness or distress and, in some cases, offend against strongly held cultural prohibitions.

So the white man with the shock of hair at the beginning was former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. The big crowds were from Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations in 1988, ‘celebrating’ 200 years since colonisation. Aboriginal people were then - and still are - advocating for a treaty. NZ Maori got the Treaty of Waitangi but no such respect was shown to the Australian Aboriginal nations.

Im a first nations man, I listened to your comments about the loss of land. Some of our expressions are, ALWAYS WAS ALWAYS WILL BE, You're standing on Stolen Land, Sovereignty was never Ceded.

Other well known aboriginal singers performers are Archie Roach, Gurrumul, Isiah Firebrace( one hell of a voice), Jess Mauboi, Stan Walker. I'm sure there is ALOT more. Check out Isiah Firebrace final winning performance for Australian Idol singing Beyonce's Halo. Amazing.

I think someone has already said it but Mitch tambo singing your the voice at Australian fire benefit show was fantastic. You also should watch Dr G Yunupingu who has sadly passed away but was born blind but this did not stop him. He could play many instruments and played the right handed guitar left handed. As someone just learning to play guitar it blows me away

Oh good, I'm so glad you found this, I recommended it ages ago, you must have missed that! 🙁 This is a absolute "must see" about Australian Aboriginals! 👍😃 This was made in North Queensland on native Lands, very very authentic! 🤗 Things are not as simple now, this was certainly a more positive and hopeful time! 😪

Thank you 🙏🏽🖤💛❤️

I am a white Australian and I love the first nation's music and dancing and I love how traditionally they respect and nurture the land.

the music speaks to our soul and spirit ...so proud of our first nations people beautiful

We gave The First inhabitants the names we call them. They have their own language. I wished we’d learn more of their languages, there’s quite a few though. The word 'indigenous' was first used officially by the United Nations in 2002 in its political declaration of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Prior to this time, the term was regarded as 'still under debate' for use in UN official documents.17 Feb 2017. - Aborigine' comes from the Latin words ab meaning from and origine meaning beginning or origin. It expresses that Aboriginal people have been there from the beginning of time.

I'm an Indigenous Australian much respect to you brother listening to the lyrics and understanding, great reaction video brother 💯💪🏾

thanks sweetie for highlighting this great aboriginal band yothu yindi pronounced yoth oo yindi im aboriginal irish too love me didjereedoo sound goes right through me ☺🖤🧡❤🦘🪃 and sweetie i remember sunday bloody sunday so we feel you guys pain over here too God bless

Love when they sing in bis first nation language. Beautiful.

It's absolutely shameful that, all these years later, we still don't have a Treaty. We have a referendum coming up this year or next to vote for an Aboriginal Voice in parliament. Hopefully, this will lead to a change in our constitution and allow for a Treaty to finally be agreed upon. That's all I'll say about that. I don't want to be the cause of your comments blowing up. I'm glad you did a reaction to this song, though.

This song always gives be chills.

Hi Matt. I watch your videos often but mostly because I love your enthusiasm about our paradise continent...so for your own info I want to tell you some facts that will interest you. As a proud murri-woi-wurrung woman, the pain of our true history is a generational thing. The general Australian population has slowly become aware of the gross disadvantage of our abORIGINAL peoples; true custodians of the land & injustices suffered, and things are thankfully getting better for us...for *all* Australians. It isn't all about having our own lands stolen from us, it is more about how the British came in tall ships & claimed the whole continent, slaughtered many many mobs, tried to "breed them out", stole our children, tortured raped & enslaved whole mobs. It was an horrendous massacre of our gentle indigenous people. note: we are not described as having "tribes" but *mobs* - we try to find our *mob* It took me over 50 years to find my mob & not be frightened to say I was aboriginal because in the past, less than a decade or two ago, to admit you were an aboriginal meant no job, social ridicule, no schooling, no medical, no housing, violence towards aboriginals etc. It was a rough time, which is true of indigenous peoples all over the globe. But yannow things *are* getting better. These days every Australian is learning that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of original mob regions. It's worth searching for a map/maps of indigenous territories. It's quite fascinating. Now, there are huge gatherings (not protests) of the general public joining aboriginals with recognition & empathy for their plight, holding up banners that read things like, "ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE, ABORIGINAL LAND" and "CHANGE THE DATE" look that one up Matt, to get the gist of changing the date & that is welcoming coz we call Australia Day "Invasion Day". We are gradually soothing the sorrows but it has taken soo long, but yeah it is slowly changing. Thank you again Matt. Your interest in Australia warms my heart...which is why you should come to live here. You won't wanna go back. x Linda - lucky to have been born in this paradise.

This was a big hit around Europe too. I think it hit number 1 here in the Netherlands.

I love your reactions to Australian music

You need to react to “took the children away” it’s by an aboriginal musician who was part of the stolen generation and I personally find it very emotional, particularly the very start of the song, absolutely incredible and a true story of his personal experience

I won't comment about treaty. Australians know the situation. Having said that - I love this song. Great reaction 💥

I saw these guys with Midnight Oil in N/E Arnhem Land, Yolgnu Country, when I was a teenager. First Nations kids and us white kids rocking out. Magical!

That's a different version than was played on the radio back in the day.

First nations' people is a very Canadian/American term. They're our ATSI people (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), an integral part of our great country Great song, Yotho Yindi is a legend.

Ceremonies stories songs and dances are learned by all, along with what is basically the area's totem animal, to be protected and never eaten by the locals. This is the history of the area, the law, there were no written words, just ochre cave paintings. What trees etc need to be kept in check to minimise the devastation caused by bush fires, what to eat from where, what is good medicine, how to catch food, how to make dilly bags and tools, weapons... The elders pass the knowledge down. The stolen generation were taken away by government law, to grow up as white, to never know where they were from, who were their family, what was their language, so they are possibly still "lost," at the end of their lives. Not knowing where you belong is horrendous, no matter who you are. The land exists, the tribe belongs there, always have - always will, nobody owns the land, it is part of each individual, they all care for it. Nothing is ever bought or sold. A rental property or an owned house, belongs to the renter/owner and all of their family that come there. The people are free to go walkabout, white employers were miffed, for days or months, whenever they are having trouble or have something on their mind. Knowing your homeplace and where to find food and water, on walkabout is life saving. At different times of year, different native foods are availlable elsewhere, so gunyah's were rebuilt from the wood that fell down, since last year, as temporary shelters. The history is rich, just not understood by arrogant settlers.

proud of our great southern land and our first nation elders

Yes Bob Hawke it was, he was our Prime Minister in the 80s and early 90s I think. Good guy, very much a blokey friendly all round Aussie guy.

4:50 blows me away every time 😮

The language is Yolgnu, the language of Elcho island. It is the oldest living language in the world, 40,000+ years old. One of the band members of Yothu Yindi is Geoffery Gurrumul Yunupingu. He had a major solo career after Yothu Yindi. Gurrumul (in Australia we refer to him as 'Doc', as he is deceased, and it's very bad manners to speak of a deceased aboriginal person by using their 'living' name).Try and find a clip of Doc and Delta Goodrem on 'The Voice' duet, with the song 'Bayini'. Delta sings some of the song in English (Doc can't speak English), and the rest of the song is in Yolgnu.

Movies to watch: Bran Nue Dae, Rabbit Proof Fence, The sapphire's, Top end wedding, Satellite boy, sweet country, samson and deliah, beneath clouds, my name is gulpilli - tv series: all my friends are racist, total control, black comedy - from romcoms to political stuff

Great song I’ve loved for a long time.they have some really great songs

Shadows on the Hill is a great song by Troy Cassar-Daly. He has his solo version and one with Briggs. Very haunting.

It is fantastic to hear your analysis because you got it absolutely right on the first listen!!! I'm impressed. Treaty promised in 1988 - still waiting - 'promises can disappear just like writing in the sand'. Listen now to Goanna's Solid Rock.

You really need to hear THE EASYBEATS, from the 60's. Blow your mind. Sorry, Monday I got Friday on my Mind, Wedding Ring.etc If you do Sorry, get the old b&w tv performance, with boy and girl GOGO dancers! Lol. The equiv if Oz Beatles. Then, Great Southern Land The band changed names. Was Flowers but then changed name, and this became an icon song. Ivor Davies lead singer Brian Cadd, brilliant Gingerman. Some day I'll have money - also known as I'll be gone - by a band called Spectrum. Back in the days of hippies. 1971? If you are mad on Cricket, I guess you would like HOWZAT? by Sherbert. That lead singer later sang a song The Horses. Beautiful video - almost an advert for Oz beaches. Turn up your Radio - huge hit for the Masters Apprentices. For a laugh, see if you can find Johnny Farnham's first hit in 65? Sadie The Cleaning Lady. Eagle Rock is a great unique hit. Then, another who really will blow you away, is Russell Morris The Real Thing. The song FOREVER linked to The Moon Landing. Also try his On The Wings of an Eagle AND OTHERS. OH. Also, since you have I was only 19, Ronnie Burns sang a song for his mate, another early pop star, Normie Rowe, whose name was drawn to go to Vietnam. It pretty well destroyed his career. He came back but he'd seen too much. Ronnie sang the song Smiley, to say how sad he was - and wish him well. Very sad.

I am not indigenous but I am Australian ... I hear the voices though of the oldest continuous culture in the world ..The key message you get from our indigenous folk is Look after the land and it'll look after you .. We don't and it is hurting more every year that passes ..You don't last 70,000 years without looking after the environment you live in ..

The Treaty is the Mabo Treaty signed by the federal government in 1988 with the indigenous people.

Great to listen to a reactor that gets it...

When Cpt Cook arrived he declared Australia as Terra Nullius, no mans land. The Australian Constitution was written under this declaration and many of our laws were also written under this declaration. HOWEVER in the 1980s a legal challenge launched by indigenous people of the Torres Strait to the taking of their land. This challenge was successful, however the Qld Gov appealed and lost. Qld Gov again appealed to the Fed Court and again lost. Qld Gov then appealed to the High Court and again lost. Two points recognised in this case was "PRIOR OCCUPATION." Therefore making Cpt Cooks declaration of Terra Nullius void. The second point recognise was "PRIOR OWNERSHIP." The federal gov response to these point was the change the law.

The old white guy throwing the spear at the beginning was Bob Hawke, a former Prime Minister of Australia. During the Hawke era there was talk of a treaty with Aboriginal people. It was a big media event, hence the line about radio and television. But the treaty never happened, hence the line about talking politicians and talk being cheap. Not so much about politicians encroaching on their land, but politicians promising land rights which then vanish “like writing in the sand”.

Oh Matt, just move here already. You and your family will be such a great addition. 😊

I love traditional instruments. The Bagpipes, the Tara drum and the dijarridoo. Can't remember how to spell it though.

The Didg is possibly my favourite instrument mate.

Loved your thoughtfull reaction

There’s a dance floor remix of this that got played to death right around the world in the late 80’s. It’s the Filthy Lucre remix if you’re interested and ima gonna listen to it right now. It’s still a banger

Would love for you to listen to King Stingray! They are a local Northern Territory band from east Arnhem (Nhulunbuy- specifically Yikala) young fellas who grew up remote and are absolutely amazing! Would love for you to have a listen to any of their songs- all of them are great!

Beautiful reaction

Gotta watch the nrl all stars performance Stan and isiah firebrace singing don’t dream it’s over. It’s a Māori and aboriginal man singing together in a mix of English and each of their own languages in a stadium. The song fittingly being by crowded house, a band made up of aus and nz musicians and the lyrics are very fitting at times. Overall beautiful song as well.

I’m a 71 year old 3rd generation Australian and I regret the past treatment of our indigenous people,but shit happens to all cultures around the world , we need to respect the past but their is only a future, the past has gone forever,let’s just get on with making a better future for all Australian people wherever their heritage comes from

you don't need a treaty when you can achieve a surrender

With reference to the politicians, it was in 1988 that ALP Prime Minster promised a Treaty with indigenous Australians. 35 years later they are still waiting ... promises but nothing ever happens on both sides of politics. Australia is still the only developed country that does not have a treaty with its indigenous people. BTW - The lead singer, Mandawuy Yunupingu, was the school principal in his community in the Northern Territory.

Yes they are woo

Thanks mate, respect is respected 👍🏽

I was one of the subscribers that recommended this. Now I’d love you to look for Dr G. and Delta Goodrem performing the song Bayini.

4:19 I don't think he's insinuating, he's saying that the land was taken. They used to say that before the settles and the first fleet arrived Australia was 'Terra Nullius', meaning 'nobody's land'. It's only recently that we've started publicly recognising the traditional owners of the land (in speech and in signs in the window). The indigenous people of Australia have been in Australia for roughly 65000 years.

Yes it is

Great music great message. Sadly lead singer has passed away now. You should check out No Fixed Address. Australian Aboriginal group Bart Willoughby lead singer still going. We have several great indigenous groups Archie Roach RIP was an amazing song writer and singer.

Try listening to Sunset Dreaming (Djapana) by Yothu Yindi...that's a really cool song.

Through video you also got to see qll the men dancing for 'ens business, usually not seen and for this video dancing for the purpose of the people and sound,be blessed.

This song topped the charts at the time for a good while I think. The band are of the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land. If you put Yolngu into the search on KZfaq, you’ll see a lot of video. They were fortunate to have been spared a lot of bad stuff back in the day as they were too remote to be an impediment to “progress” at the time but more than any other cultural people they have a real love of the limelight it seems. I think up there they’re probably innocent of the fact that we’ve had to wait for a lot of old folk to kick the bucket before progress was viable.

This was written in a far more hopeful era when it really seemed as if the government of the day was going to finally offer some real redress to the First Nations people. It never really eventuated though. Now we are on the verge of another referendum about empowering our First Nation people through a “voice in parliament”. Whether this will be passed and whether it will have a real impact on the lives of First Nation people, we will have to wait and see. But based on past experience, it may well be just another political bandaid rather than any sort of true justice.

We can’t have a treaty with FNP until we change the constitution . Let’s hope that the referendum gets up so that treaty will be possible

nice mate. You pretty well nailed it for a pom, what is really importnt is their right to protest and I shudder to think anytime this would not apply here

He is what u said

While there is passionate discussion on the order of events in reconciliation, the federal govt is advocating for Voice to Parliament - a formal avenue for First Nations peoples to access govt, then Treaty to follow. A referendum on Voice is to be held this year.

They’ve only been called First Nations people for about the last five years, it is a Canadian term for their people imported.

It's wonderful to hear a perspective from another country. Please try for yourself the following indigenous music tracks. They are very current in there meaning and style. Kakadu Collective - ft Mayalift abd Victor Rostron. This is Australia by Marrugeku B-town Warriors-people of the Red sunset. I myself have been on a journey of cultural awakening n discovery in this complicated situation we call Australia.

See if you can find a Aussie bloke on uchoob playing a didg for a couple of Elephants Matt.

You can google the lyrics and have it translated to all English if you like

There's so much to unpack in the relevance of this song. I'll try to be brief. "Back in 1988" - In 1988 the (Mabo Vs Queensland) High Court Case for the first time really recognised Aboriginal rights to their land under Australian law (even if it was quite limited). The concept of a treaty (such as the Maoris in NZ had with the UK) would be another step in recognition for Aborigines. This is a very current issue with the "Aboriginal Voice To Parliament" constitutional referendum in the pipeline and attracting a lot of media and political attention right now. Some Aboriginal advocates don't support it as they do not think it goes far enough as it is not a "treaty". Others feel it is better than nothing. The right-wing media hates either of these ideas and is coming out hard against it. I hope this summary makes some sort of sense.

If you haven’t yet… check out or react to “took the children away - Archie Roach”

Special song and cultural statement. Check out Gurrumul, also and Delta Goodrem song on KZfaq

This is great. Some to watch, as already recommended Archie Roach and Dr Gurrumul Yunupingu. I'd add Troy Cassar-Daley with Shadows on the Hill. Too long for a reaction is the documentary First Footprints which you might find really interesting and I think is available on KZfaq

It’s sad to say that there still hasn’t been a treaty.

There are 2 groups of Indigenous Australians. 1. The conquered, and 2. The conquered AND stolen Both have legitimate issues, but the stolen generation have possibly the most unique and difficult challenges to overcome of any First Nations cohort around the world. As a white fella, I was privileged to work with people from the stolen generation for a year. It was amazeballs!

My favorite Australian band is Icehouse formed by singer/song writer Iva Davies. Their first album "Icehouse" was released by them when their band name was "Flowers" in 1980 then released again when they changed their name to Icehouse in 1981. This is very different from their later releases, their albums got better as well as different. Their song titled "Great Southern Land" is my favorite song by them and is about Australia. The full length album version can be found here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jqpja9uozJzQho0.html

There used to be over 300 dialects of first nation's language spoken through out the country. Now many are lost. I only know basic Pitjantjatjara. Just enough to understand a little bit of conversations. I try my best to pronounce it correctly. Lol

When the English arrived in 1788 and plnted the flag they were met by some local indigenous people. But they were only regarded as fauna like the other native wildlife. And once settlement began there was a concerted effort to anihilate them Australia wide. They werent given stafus as citzens unril the 60s evwn though they were allowed to sign up to fight in both WWI and 2. Their treatment was a shameful episode in Australias history and the after effects still linger on today. Things are changing but those old attitudes still existsadly.

When you want an Australian band that rocked hard try The Angels maybe the song Marseille

They still own Australia, always have... always will (more than 60k years)! They are The Traditional Owners & prefer that term. All cool brother. You are not wrong😊

Brilliant song. Yep. Gives me chills for so many reasons. Seeing you are on this theme, go back 40 years to Solid Rock by Goanna. Listen carefully to the lyrics in the one. The word genocide gets a run, rightfully. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qrl-q6l4vJadfaM.html

Waltzing Matilda sung by Slim Dusty is a beautiful Aussie song.

This song has to do with the Treaty that was created by the Australian government for the nations first people to try to be come a more harmonious country. Another First Nations aboriginal band you may wanna listen to is a Queensland band called King Stingray.

Damn I have never listened to the lyrics properly before …I feel terrible not knowing what the song I really about

There are over 600 separate languages amongst the Indigenous people.

You should react to Gurrumul...

We just had a referendum in Australia to give aboriginals a non voting voice to parliament for their grievances, etc. It failed by about 60% no, to 40% yes, so much for their chances of a treaty,

Big yellow truck give them everything they have