The Crossroads Project: Kuranda has brought young people, Elders, artists and community leaders together to share Djabugay stories through music and film.
Created over six months on Djabugay Country in Far North Queensland, the project explores culture, identity, leadership, connection to Country and hope for the future.
The productions were developed through Crossroads: Kuranda, a long-term youth engagement initiative delivered by Desert Pea Media in partnership with YouthLink Kuranda and Djabugay Aboriginal Corporation.
The program was supported by the Queensland Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support.
The release campaign began with the short documentary 'Voices of the Elders', which premiered during Bulurru - Story, Song, Film & Art from Kuranda Bama on July 11 as part of NAIDOC Week.
Desert Pea Media creative director and chief executive, Toby Finlayson, described the project as a lasting collaboration between generations.
"This project has been about creating a space where young people and Elders can learn from each other, have important conversations and create something that will live on well beyond the workshops," Mr Finlayson said.
"These songs and films are more than creative outputs - they're expressions of identity, pride and hope for the future."
KDA: NEXT GEN released its debut single 'One Track' on July 24.
The campaign will conclude with 'Lift Your Spirit', featuring 17-year-old emerging Djabugay artist Will Brim, on August 7.
Together, the three releases show young Djabugay people exploring identity, leadership, history and the responsibilities involved in carrying culture forward.
KDA: NEXT GEN follows the award-winning KDA CREW, whose release Djabuganydji Bama became a key moment for youth-led music from Kuranda.
The new group represents another generation sharing its stories through music, language and culture.
'One Track' combines hip hop, dub reggae and contemporary First Nations storytelling.
The song was inspired by the Djabugay concept of Djumburru Nyiwul, meaning "One Track".
It reflects on identity, history, resilience and the strength found through walking together as a community.
Voices of the Elders features conversations with respected Djabugay Elders about history, language, leadership and passing cultural knowledge to future generations.
Crossroads: Kuranda was developed as a long-term diversionary initiative for young people at risk.
The program used culture, creativity and community relationships to create positive pathways for participants.
Young people worked with Elders, artists and mentors to build confidence, leadership and connection to Country through music, film and storytelling.
Desert Pea Media has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia for more than 25 years.
Its music, film and digital media projects focus on culture, identity, leadership, wellbeing and social change.
