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Five questions to Shellie Morris: this week on IndigenousX Five questions to Shellie Morris: this week on IndigenousX
(3 months later)
Tell us about yourself. Who are you, where are you from, what do you do?Tell us about yourself. Who are you, where are you from, what do you do?
I'm Shellie Morris! I've performed on stages from Melbourne to Vancouver Winter Olympics, Japan and London and am a feature artist with the Black Arm Band. I've been lucky to work with the likes of multiple Grammy Award-winner Gilberto Gil, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Mavis Staples, Tim Rogers, Yothu Yindi, Warumpi Band, Paul Dempsey, Jimmy Barnes and Mischelle Ngecell. My grandmothers, aunties and I have just released a language album, Ngambala Wiji li-Wunungu – which translates from Yanyuwa to Together We Are Strong. It's the highlight of my career and has put our languages on the map.I'm Shellie Morris! I've performed on stages from Melbourne to Vancouver Winter Olympics, Japan and London and am a feature artist with the Black Arm Band. I've been lucky to work with the likes of multiple Grammy Award-winner Gilberto Gil, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Mavis Staples, Tim Rogers, Yothu Yindi, Warumpi Band, Paul Dempsey, Jimmy Barnes and Mischelle Ngecell. My grandmothers, aunties and I have just released a language album, Ngambala Wiji li-Wunungu – which translates from Yanyuwa to Together We Are Strong. It's the highlight of my career and has put our languages on the map.
What do you plan to talk about on @IndigenousX this week?What do you plan to talk about on @IndigenousX this week?
I want to share some of my stories about working with remote communities around Australia over the years. I discovered my family when I was already grown, and having that connection is so important to me.I want to share some of my stories about working with remote communities around Australia over the years. I discovered my family when I was already grown, and having that connection is so important to me.
What issue affecting Indigenous people do you think is most pressing?What issue affecting Indigenous people do you think is most pressing?
I believe language preservation is a really important issue. There are many things on the national stage that are put forward as most pressing. I work on the ground, with people who make the best of what they have and I see how using language in song creation and music results in pride and continuation of culture.I believe language preservation is a really important issue. There are many things on the national stage that are put forward as most pressing. I work on the ground, with people who make the best of what they have and I see how using language in song creation and music results in pride and continuation of culture.
Who are your role models, and why?Who are your role models, and why?
I have a huge amount of respect for my grandmothers and aunties, all those women who have kept their culture strong, their language and their stories. I had a wonderful upbringing with my adopted parents and then found even more love and strength from my blood family. I have loved working with people like George Negus, who have integrity and strength and do not just accept but seek out truth and fairness.I have a huge amount of respect for my grandmothers and aunties, all those women who have kept their culture strong, their language and their stories. I had a wonderful upbringing with my adopted parents and then found even more love and strength from my blood family. I have loved working with people like George Negus, who have integrity and strength and do not just accept but seek out truth and fairness.
What are your hopes for the future?What are your hopes for the future?
I want to continue to create music, both in communities and on the world stage. I love what I do, and am so blessed to be able to speak parts of almost 20 Aboriginal languages. There's no other job in the world I would rather be doing!I want to continue to create music, both in communities and on the world stage. I love what I do, and am so blessed to be able to speak parts of almost 20 Aboriginal languages. There's no other job in the world I would rather be doing!
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