By Imogen Abbott
Melbourne-based First Nations singer-songwriter Canisha has just released her first EP, Don’t Be Scared.
The Barpirdhila grant was crucial to the EP’s production process. As one of of 12 recipients, Canisha received $5000.
“I used the grant to pay for the production, mixing and mastering of two tracks that were on my EP, Take You Home and Nowhere,” said Canisha. “It was only my second time getting in the studio to write and record.”
But, what exactly is the Barpirdhila grant?
The Briggs Foundation’s Barpirdhila grant
Created by the Yorta Yorta rapper, the Briggs Foundation aims to “[nurture] First Nations excellence within the creative industries”.
The Barpirdhila grant, with Barpirdhila being the Yorta Yorta work for “morning star”, was created between 2021 and 2022, and provides financial support to Indigenous artists, “nurturing their next step”.
Canisha described the processes involved with the grant as “super supportive”.
Other than supporting the creation of Canisha’s EP she said that this grant “changed my life” and “kickstarted my career in music” as she worked alongside Bad Apples Music and Briggs himself.
“I am now signed with Bad Apples for distribution. Because of the Bad Apples House Party gig, I was approached to do the St Kilda Music Festival in Feb 2023 and then many more gigs followed.”
Underrepresentation of First Nations musicians
The supportive work that Briggs does for First Nations musicians is crucial due to the lack of representation within the industry.
In 2020, only a year before the Barpirdhila grant was founded, Creative Australia released new data for First Nations peoples representation within the music industry.
Their study found that 73 per cent of indigenous musicians found a lack of financial return from their artform, and just over half lacked the financial support to even create the art.
The Barpirdhila grant is a solution to this issue, addressing the issue of funding by providing it to artists in need.
Lydia Miller, Australia Council’s Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts, said that First Nations music plays a critical role in Australia’s music identity.
Canisha agrees: “We have so many talented First Nations artists out there, but there still is a massive divide in the industry and many First Nations artists are being pigeonholed into the category and not given the same opportunities in the ‘mainstream’ music industry.”
Featured image: There is a freshness and raw energy to Canisha’s music that comes from her time busking on busy city streets. Photo: Supplied
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