Dewayne Everettsmith collaboration with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

It was when he first became a father that Palawa man Dewayne Everettsmith landed on a dream. Inside the collaboration bringing that dream to life.

Dewayne Everettsmith with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. The TSO is honoured to be collaborating with singer/songwriter Dewayne Everettsmith on a major music project in palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Songs of Ceremony: Reawakening Songs in palawa kani celebrates the ancient continuous culture of Lutruwita / Tasmania Ð one of the world's oldest continuous cultures. Picture: Caleb Miller

It was when he first became a father that Palawa man Dewayne Everettsmith landed on a dream.

“In the first couple of minutes of holding my son in my arms I wished I could sing to him in language,” he said.

“To bring a story of my Country, Culture, Elders and People to life in a way I know how.”

Through a collaboration with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO), he is one step closer to realising it.

Dewayne Everettsmith with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. The TSO is honoured to be collaborating with singer/songwriter Dewayne Everettsmith on a major music project in palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Songs of Ceremony: Reawakening Songs in palawa kani celebrates the ancient continuous culture of Lutruwita / Tasmania Ð one of the world's oldest continuous cultures. Picture: Caleb Miller

Featuring songs written and sung by Mr Everettsmith, Songs of Ceremony: Reawakening Songs celebrates the ancient history of Lutruwita/Tasmania in palawa kani – the language of Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

Mr Everett Smith said it was truly exciting to live out his dream of “reawakening songs of ceremony for Palawa people”.

“(It’s) so that our children can sing to their children in language and so on and so on, (create) opportunities to embed our cultural strengths and resilience, and then bring non-Aboriginal people into a story of cultural immersion and allyship,” he said.

“None of this would be possible without the love and support of many and the cultural allies who advocate for a future built on contribution rather than competition.”

Dewayne Everettsmith with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. The TSO is honoured to be collaborating with singer/songwriter Dewayne Everettsmith on a major music project in palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Songs of Ceremony: Reawakening Songs in palawa kani celebrates the ancient continuous culture of Lutruwita / Tasmania Ð one of the world's oldest continuous cultures. Picture: Caleb Miller

The collaboration is believed to be the first major music project in palawa kani, and features a studio album recording, a regional tour, public and community performances, and educational resources for school.

TSO chief executive Caroline Sharpen said the project was one of the most important in the orchestra’s 77-year-history.

“Hearing these songs come together has just been a profoundly moving experience for all of us,” she said.

“We have no doubt that this is a project of national significance, and a very important story for Tasmania around the world.”