The Cat EmpireThe story of a young Aboriginal woman who died in custody has inspired The Cat Empire frontman, Felix Riebl, to write and release a new politically-charged track entitled Ms Dhu.
As ABC reports, Ms Dhu was arrested for unpaid fines back in August 2014 and imprisoned at Port Hedland police station.
Three days later, the 22-year-old died of septicaemia and pneumonia due to an infection in a broken rib.
Riebl was inspired to write the song (under the Spinifex Gum music project banner) with the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir after hearing of the story.
It was reported that when Dhu complained of her pain while at the police station, she was taken to a health campus twice.
The third time she was taken, police reportedly told the nurse she was faking her illness.
Dhu died less than an hour later.
"She wasn't treated like a person," Riebl told ABC.
"She wasn't heard, she wasn't seen, she was let down at every step of the way.
"Anyone who reads that story will see a person who's not treated at all like they should be and a system that doesn't see young Aboriginal people in the same way that it sees other people and that's a horror."
Though a coroner has since described Dhu’s death as "inhumane", no charges have been made.
All proceeds made from the music video will go towards Dhu’s family.
The Spinifex Gum project will reportedly feature future works from indigenous acts such as Briggs and Emma Donovan, as well as renowned singer Peter Garrett.
Watch the clip below.
Warning To Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander viewers: This message contains culturally sensitive stories and may contain images of deceased persons.
