Connecting to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through music : a collaborative practice opportunity

![CDATA[The health practice of music therapy has traditionally been applied from within a Western framework, to effectively address a wide range of physical and psychosocial needs. However, the use of music therapy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is under-represented within the literature, suggesting a need for continuous connection in obtaining Indigenous music knowledge to effectively bring out the healing benefits of music. Music is often said to be ‘the universal language’ however additional training and guidelines are required for the provision of culturally safe interventions and programs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-centred music therapy. In addition, statistics show that 98% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music traditions have already been lost. This in turn affects the use of music therapy within communities. Using reflective practice, this paper explores a student’s connection to music and community as a Wiradjuri woman training in music therapy. Further, the presentation demonstrates the collaboration between this Aboriginal student and two clinicians/lecturers who have experience in cross cultural and Indigenous work. Together, they jointly create, from an Aboriginal perspective and solid music therapy perspective, practical and accessible guidelines for the use of music in therapeutic applications within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These include the need to integrate familiarity, techniques of empathy, improvisation, and the incorporation of body movement as fundamental to making music in Indigenous communities. It concludes with an analysis and performance of Australia’s unofficial national anthem ‘Waltzing Matilda’ in both English and Wiradjuri.]]