The Yiyili remote community in Western Australia's Kimberley region has been featured in a new music video aiming to promote responsible pet ownership.
The video was created by Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC) 'Dog Mob Cat Crew' education team, with support from professionals in the music industry.
AMRRIC's Community Education Officer, Michelle Hayes said the educational video highlights the benefit of healthy pets in local communities.
"Dog Mob Cat Crew is what we call AMRRIC's education program and we focus on providing engaging, relevant and meaningful education to remote communities, on how healthy and happy pets are an important factor in healthy and happy communities," she said.
The video stars school students and community members from Yiyili, who showcase their talents through rap and hip-hop, sharing heartfelt stories about the significance of their Tharda (dogs) and Ngiya (cats) in their lives.
"The talent of everyone involved in the Dog Mob Cat Crew music video out at Yiyili was astounding, from the kids to the community members right down to the team that produced and filmed the music video, it's a real privilege to be able to get out there and be part of showcasing the incredible talent that is out in remote communities," Ms Hayes said.
"Everybody loves animals and everyone in community loves their pets, and we feel so lucky to have been able to work with these students, the community and our collaborators at Grand Trine Creative, to hear their stories and record this amazing and truly beautiful song that they wrote."
The main message of the video is the importance of caring for pets, not just for the well-being of the animals but also for the health and unity of the community.
The project adopts a community-centered creative approach that combines collaboration, innovation, community involvement, and cultural elements.
"Creating this music video was such a joyful collaborative process, working with the fantastically talented Yiyili mob, and bringing together my pals Nooky, Tentendo and Johnny - to share an important message about responsible pet ownership, because we want everyone to know that healthy animals mean healthy communities," Dion Brownfield from Grand Trine Creative said.
For the Yiyili community music video, the renowned First Nations music artist and rapper, Nooky, teamed up with the award-winning music video producer, Dion Brownfield from Grand Trine Creative.
Together, they guided and coached the students and community members in crafting and performing the verses for their heartwarming Tharda Nyooloo Ngiya Nyooloo (dogs and cats) song.
Musicians Kenneth Dawson and Big Fella notably made contributions on the chorus.
Additionally, the project saw collaboration with music producer Caleb Williams, known as Tentendo, who expertly mixed and mastered the music track. Johnny Yao from 76m Films was responsible for cinematography and editing in the video.
AMRRIC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Brooke Rankmore, said AMRRIC is committed to community-led educational programs like the 'Dog Mob Cat Crew' music video initiative, which raises awareness of animal health in rural and remote Indigenous communities by sharing the voices and stories of community members.
"Animal health is an integral part of building strong communities, and we're thrilled that the creative collaboration between our 'Dog Mob Cat Crew' program working directly with remote community members and the support of our talented partner musical creatives has produced another all-star music video delivering an important message," Ms Rankmore said.
"As a line from the music video highlights, dogs and cats in remote communities are 'part of the family - they're part of the mob', and by working together we can all help ensure healthy animals and healthy communities.
"We are very grateful to everyone who has made this initiative the success it is, and AMRRIC's education team are already busy planning further creative projects."
