SHOW SUNTRIP RECORDS THAT YOU WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS BLATANT THEFT, APPROPRIATION, AND DISREGARD FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN CULTURES:

 

1. INFORMATION REGARDING THE RELEASE

 

 

 

The use of Tjukurpa by Suntrip Records for their latest release is a clear example of cultural appropriation and exploitation. This release is commodifying sacred cultural concepts without permission, understanding, or benefit to the communities to whom they belong.

The ICIP (Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property) laws exist to protect against exactly this kind of misrepresentation, and it appears that, Suntrip Records, has violated these protections. 

The visual artist for this release, was born in Erkrath (Germany) and resides in Belgium. This is taken from her own website:

• "In her painting she created her own style, using techniques from the Australian aboriginals, known as "dot-painting". She develops her own Western inspired use of this technique."
• "She also organises workshops "dot-painting" and intuitive painting for novices as well as experts."

And the real kicker is... She is the label owner's mother!

When concerns were raised online regarding this release, Suntrip Records, did not engage in dialogue. Instead, they deleted comments from Indigenous Australians and allies and blocked individuals who spoke out! 

• [Live Countdown] Number of days since Suntrip Records has left people blocked who criticised this release

Additionally, with this label having global significance we do not think this precedent of appropriation can be accepted. Allowing it to exist is music colonisation, in direct opposition to modern de-colonising efforts. It is backwards and archaic.

We believe this release is blatant cultural theft and extremely harmful to Indigenous communities. The fact that Indigenous voices have been actively silenced in this discussion makes it even more urgent that we push for accountability. While Suntrip Records may have not had any previous issues with 'releases‘ and appropriations of other cultures, they have now.

 

2. UNVERIFIED CLAIMS MADE BY SUNTRIP REGARDING THE ARTWORK

 

Suntrip Records claim: "A First Nations person was involved in the creation of the cover art and was aware that the name "Tjukurpa" was being used. The cover artwork was created by Margot Schaefer (the artist) during a dot-painting workshop that lasted several days, led by an Aboriginal artist touring Belgium in the late 1990s—before the widespread use of the internet."

• [Live Countdown] Days since Suntrip Records claimed they were looking for 'proof' of this. 

Without documented evidence of consent from the Yankunytjatjara artist in question, the statement remains unverified.

Furthermore, even if such permission existed in the first place, it does not account for the broader issue – Tjukurpa is not an individual‘s to give away, nor can one person‘s consent justify an entire communities cultural misrepresentation.

The concerns raised come from established Indigenous Art Centres and First Nation Musicians that actively work to protect cultural integrity. Their opposition demonstrates that this release does not align with appropriate protocols.

Suntrip Records are refusing to change the name or artwork of this release despite all the evidence and reactions they have seen.

 

3. RE-INSTATING OUR GOALS

1. Change the title of the release to remove the term “Tjukurpa.”
2. Replace the artwork with an alternative that does not appropriate Aboriginal artistic traditions.
3. Publicly acknowledge and address the harm caused in a meaningful way (demonstrated via 1 & 2).

NOTE: We are not looking to have the music removed entirely

 

4. IS IT TOO LATE FOR SUNTRIP?

 

It is not too late to change this, Suntrip Records.

• Suntrip Records, currently, are an active participant in a long history of colonial violence, exploitation, and erasure. 

Learning is an ongoing process. You have the opportunity to raise awareness about the cultures you claim to respect. Please respect them.

• This does not have to be part of your legacy.

The harm caused by this release represents a broader pattern of cultural exploitation that has been occurring for centuries. First Nations Cultures are not a commodity. It is imperative that this issue is taken seriously.

A statement ALONE does not undo what you have done, nor does it address the fundamental issues of this release. If Suntrip Records was sincere about making amends, concrete action such as changing the artwork and title are necessary.

Until these steps are taken, a public statement will not be enough.

• [Live Countdown} Days since Suntrip has released their 'sorry' post and done nothing. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have spent decades fighting for their cultural rights to be recognised and respected. Suntrip Record's refusal to listen and act accordingly is not just disappointing... it is a continuation of the colonial mindset that assumes non-Indigenous people have the right to take and define Indigenous culture on their own terms.

 

5. CONTEXT REGARDING USE OF THE WORD "TJUKURPA"

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have endured generations of systemic oppression, including the forced removal of their children, bans on practicing their own cultural traditions, and the ongoing theft of their land. This history makes it all the more important that Indigenous sovereignty over cultural knowledge and artistic expression is respected.

Using Tjukurpa in this way perpetuates these colonial harms by disregarding the agency and rights of Indigenous Peoples over their own sacred traditions. We believe that cultural respect and self-determination should be at the forefront of any engagement with First Nations heritage.

 

6. HISTORY OF EVENTS

[14/02] - "Tjukurpa" was commercial released by Suntrip Records
[16/02] - Public attention of this release exploded within Australia
[17/02] - People who said anything remotely negative were banned from Suntrip Records instagram + comments deleted
[19/02] - 1:1 Conversation initiated with the CEO of Suntrip Records
[01/03] - After 10 days of 1:1 dialogue with the CEO, Suntrip officially responded
[03/03] - First Official Committee Letter Sent to Suntrip Records 
[04/03] - Facebook & Instagram 'Apology' Posts were posted 5 hours after the letter was sent and with no conversation. 
[05/03] - Mixmag posted an article regarding the controversial release
[06/03] - Suntrip provided poor responses to the article via Mixmag
[17/03] - A Second Official (Private) Letter was sent to Suntrip Records.
[18/03] - Suntrip Records Responded via Email.

 

7. FINAL STATEMENTS

 

We must be vocal in our stance as Indigenous communities are already silenced, and this release misrepresents and exploits without permission or benefit to Indigenous communities. 

IT IS A MUSIC LABEL AFTER ALL. WHY ARE SUNTRIP SO CAUGHT UP IN THE TITLE AND ARTWORK?

 

8. MEDIA ENQUIRIES

auselectronicmusiccommittee@gmail.com