Marcus Corowa spreads NAIDOC message through music

Having played the guitar since he was six years old, singer-songwriter Marcus Corowa is using his talent to share his stories across Australia, including performing at a number of NAIDOC events in 2013.

Marcus was involved in several local Canberra NAIDOC events, visiting schools as a motivational speaker and performing at NAIDOC on the Peninsula on the Lake Burley Griffin foreshore.

“NAIDOC is important because it’s a time in our country where we can come together to celebrate who we are,” Marcus said.

“It brings a greater awareness of Indigenous Australia to all Australians.”

“NAIDOC is about celebrating our culture but it also serves to educate mainstream audiences as well.”

Marcus is a strong role model for his people and is proud to be in a position where he can educate the wider community about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.

“My songs stem from history and I find that it flows out through my song writing and my music,” Marcus said.

“When I am standing up there on stage singing, most of my songs are addressing these issues in a positive light.

“It is important for me to get out there and sing and tell my story and encourage other people to do the same.” 

Closing the Gap in Indigenous disadvantage is only possible by building on the strength of Indigenous culture and identity. Marcus said that music plays a big part in that.

“Through music we can convey our stories and through music we can express how we feel,” Marcus said.

“I think music serves as a universal language through which we can communicate our stories to the wider community.

“NAIDOC plays a part in bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians together to help close the gap.”

Marcus was also the winner of the Most Promising New Talent Award at the Deadlys in 2012, which he said was the highlight of his career so far.

“When I moved to Sydney I had dreams. I wrote down my goals and one of the goals I was aiming for was to win a Deadly so it was awesome to achieve that.

“It was even more special because my Dad had won a Deadly Award as well.”