Dharawal – Reconciliation with Culture, Country & Self

Dharawal – (featuring: Jade Kennedy) is the powerful new single from Luke’s multi-award winning album Different Drum.

Attempting to sing up the importance of ongoing reconciliation with First Nation Culture, Country and self.

Please note: the video features footage of Indigenous Australians from a wide range of territories & language groups – not solely Dharawal. – which is the region South of Botany Bay on the East Coast of NSW, West across the Georges River out to Camden & extending as far South as Nowra & Wreck Bay. 

Luke says this about his latest offering.

“Firstly I would like to acknowledge the Dharawal people and pay my respect to Elders, past, present & emerging – especially the Gweagal and Targary whose Traditional Lands I have lived, grown, worked, played – and now raise my children upon. Thank you for looking after and caring for this land for over 60,000 years. This song is directly from my heart that attempts to encapsulate how it felt growing up within the Royal National Park without teachers or ceremony to deepen my connection or declare to world – and to myself – that I truly belonged.

Fifty five years later – I am proud to see – and experience – the change and empowerment of indigenous Australians – and to have embraced their willingness to share their knowledge – so that I in turn – can share what I have learnt. I want to not only sing up Dharawal country – but all First Nations Australians whose pride, strength and resilience – in the face of so much injustice and insanity – continues to graciously and generously remind anyone who will simply slow down and listen – that we are not seperate from this Earth – that we are of the Earth – and will one day return to this Earth.

Thank you to the many unsung heroes out there – especially those who feature in this video – for fighting the good fight and for continuing to show us that by living with respect and gratitude for each other and this world – and that if we can somehow slow down our caffeine/sugar driven frequencies – to a more subtle, natural vibration – then – we too can start to feel the healing, the magic and the deep spiritual wellbeing that comes through true – connection to country.