An Indigenous songwriting initiative is working to preserve and strengthen Aboriginal culture and languages in remote Western Australia.

The Baya Gawiy songwriting initiative - developed by a University of Melbourne researcher, a Perth-based cultural organisation, and early childhood educators and language specialists - has been running in partnership with the Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre (MWRC) in Fitzroy Crossing since 2021.

It is part of the early learning and care program, Baya Gawiy Buga yani Jandu yani U.

The initiative supports Indigenous language revitalisation and community healing through music-making.

Songwriter and Gooniyandi woman Patricia Cox said the songs teach children meaningful words about caring for Country and respecting the environment, empowering the community.

"We're making songs for the little kids to learn, but the words we put in place have a lot of meaning," she said.

"The lyrics are about caring for Country and having respect for your environment.

"Our songs are all about strengthening, and that's empowering for us."

It is part of Sound FX, a music residency program where musicians from Tura, a renowned organisation for sound art, collaborate with Fitzroy Crossing community members to create new music and sound art.

This work celebrates cultural knowledge and promotes wellbeing.

Participants have created a catalogue of original children's music in local languages including Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Walmajarri, and Kimberley Kriol.

The collection is designed as a teaching tool for the MWRC's early childhood programs, with each composition celebrating Indigenous knowledge passed down from elders.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has invited the team to turn their collection of songs into a community songbook, set to be published next year with a nationwide distribution plan.

This will generate income for Baya Gawiy's language, culture, and wellbeing programs.

Dr Gillian Howell notes that the Baya Gawiy songwriting project has produced 12 new songs and 16 recordings, helping the community share important stories and knowledge while developing music skills through collaboration.

"The Baya Gawiy songwriting project has produced 12 new songs and 16 new recordings including four new lullabies, three new hunting songs and two new counting songs," she said.

"This collection of new songs is helping the community share important stories and knowledge with their little ones, while creating opportunities for individuals to develop their music skills through collaborative songwriting."

The songbook will include lyrics, music notation, chords, and artwork created by the community, along with introductions by the songwriters.

It will also feature songs from the Baya Gawiy songwriting project and others by students and teachers at Fitzroy Valley District High School created as part of Sound FX. The songs describe hunting and fishing trips, local fauna and their habitats, and plants used for bush medicine.