Products - UPK Health Promotion Songs
UPK (Uwankara Palyanyku Kanyintjaku) is a strategy for wellbeing and the public and environmental health program of Nganampa Health Council.

Started in 1986 as a response to the high rates of infectious diseases, the strategy targeted improving the physical environment. It attempted to ensure that people could be safe in their houses, have a hot shower, wash their clothes and bedding, remove waste water safely, and store, prepare and cook food.

The 1989 the first UPK was produced with musicians from the APY Lands. The songs were about community life and ways of making things better.

In May 2003, over 40 musicians came together at a bush camp at Tilun Tilun in the far north west of South Australia. The second album was made.

Such was its success, the demand came from the community to produce a third UPK album. In 2004, musicians gathered at a bush camp at Kunma Piti and the third album was the result.

The first album had songs about septic tanks, germs and shower blocks. Since that time many physical infrastructure programs have been deployed across the Lands to the extent that health hardware function rates have risen and the severity of some of the infectious diseases has been reduced.

Songs are now being written to express concern about the high levels of chronic illness (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, renal failure etc). Other songs still reflect the concern that the people have for their children and family members and deal with issues such as substance abuse and self harm.

Now-a-days, these songs are part of the modern Anangu culture and are examples of community people expressing their health and wellbeing messages to each other.

Below are samples of some of the songs. Copies of the CDs can be ordered from Nganampa Health Council by ringing 08 8952 5300 or emailing coral.ferguson@palya.org.au.

 

 
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UPK 1
Showerblock
Written by Bill Davis and Suzie Bryce
AP ku
Written by Peter Wilson and Richard Kanari

UPK 2
Hey Hey Hey
Vocals/Writer – Ted Kunia, Drums – Raymond James, Bass – Jacob McKenzie, Rhythm – Kunmanara Watson, Lead - Sandy Wilson
Ngura putingka
Vocals/Writer – Kunmanara Watson, Drums – Jonah Fox, Bass – Richard Kanari, Rhythm – Kunmanara Watson, Lead – Jacob McKenzie
Tjukurpa wirunya ngaranyi
Vocals/Writer – Richard Kanari, Bass – Danny Fox, Rhythm - Richard Kanari, Lead – Jacob McKenzie

UPK 3
Tjuka Pulka Ngalkupai
Writer/Lead/Vocals – Max Kenny, Drums – Chris Ken, Rhythm – Hudson Lennon; Bass – Aaron Shannon, Backing Vocals – Joseph Tapaya, Jacob McKenzie, Larry Brady
No Good Byes
Writer/vocals/rhythm – John Singer, Bass – Hudson Lennon, Rhythm, acoustic and lead guitar – Ernest Warrior, Lead – Adrian Lewis
Kuka Wiru Song
Writer/Vocals/Rhythm – Tony Campbell, Lead – Aaron Shannon, Bass – John Campbell, Drums – Paul Campbell, Backing Vocals – Tony Campbell, Kawaki Thompson

UPK 4
In 2005, UPK4 was recorded at Ulkiya. The recordings continue to evolve and this album features contributions by members of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Tjitji Paluru
Writer/Vocal - Rueben Burton, Bass - Standley Windy, Lead Guitar - Mark Burton, Rhythm - James Windy, Drums/Congas - Stewart Gaykamangu, Keyboards - Bill Davis
Iritija
Writer/Vocal - Mark Burton, Acoustic Guitar - Mark Burton, Bass - Sam Zerna, Lead Guitar - Dylan Woolcock
Radio (electric)
Writers - Stewart Gaykamangu/Webb Burton/Yami Connelly/Chris Richards, Vocals - Stewart Gaykamangu/Chris Richards, Lead - Chris Richards, Bass - Danny Fox, Drums - Philip Marshall, Keyboards - Nathaniel Garrawurra
Petrol Wanti
Writer - Stewart Gaykamangu, Bass - Standley Windy, Lead Guitar - Mark Burton, Drums - Henry Wilson, Keyboard - Stewart Gaykamangu, Backing Vox - Rueben Burton
Ngura Nganampa
Writer - Mark Burton, Singer/Acoustic Guitar - Mark Burton, Double Bass - Sam Zerna, Lead Guitar Dylan Woolcock, String Arrangement - Martin Butler, Violins - Martin Butler/Ann Axelby, Viola - Michael Robertson, Cello - Gemma Phillips

 
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