Power and Water Corporation and Yolngu rapper, and 2019 Young Australian of the Year, Baker Boy, have worked together to promote sustainable water use in the Northern Territory.
Baker Boy, who grew up in Maningrida and Millingimbi, is known for his hip-hop songs that incorporate both English and Yolŋu Matha.
The rapper and Power and Water have produced a series of videos to inspire students to learn about where their water comes from, as well as Indigenous peoples’ cultural connection to water.
The videos also encourage students to think about their role in their communities and achievable social actions to look after their water.
Water Demand Manager at Power and Water, Jethro Laidlaw, said the utility wanted the next generation to understand where their water comes from, and the very important role they have in making sure water continues to flow from the taps.
“Baker Boy is a great role model, and we hope having him as the face of our program will encourage young people to save water where they can,” Mr Laidlaw said.
“In remote communities, preserving water helps allow people to continue to live on country, and in the major centres, it’s important we all start to value tap water more.
“These new programs are also a great opportunity for students to learn from Aboriginal elders and Power and Water experts even though they are practising physical distancing.”
Baker Boy said he was proud to be part of such an important initiative.
“I hope these videos can inspire the kids to take control of their environment,” he said.
“We can’t live on country without water and we need our next gen to learn how to take care of it and not waste it.
“Learning where water comes from and how the whole water process works empowers our youth with knowledge!”
Two different versions of the program are available, one targeted at students living in remote communities and the other for students in larger towns, including Darwin.
The videos will complement student storybooks as part of the That’s My Water! curriculum unit developed by Power and Water to educate the next generation of water users.
Since 2016, Power and Water has worked with partners including the Northern Territory Department of Education and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Charles Darwin University and the Bureau of Meteorology to deliver school programs across the Darwin and Katherine area to more than 2,500 students.
The curriculum unit has been successful in introducing students to the idea of the water cycle and thinking about how water is treated and transported to their taps, while drawing strongly on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Watch the videos and find out more here.