Butler credits Pinjarra for understanding Indigenous struggles

The famous musician moved from Los Angeles to Pinjarra when he was 11, and lived there until he was 20-years-old. 

“It had everything to do with who I became as a person,” he said.

“For me, it was the first time I came in contact with Indigenous Australia and the Noongar people of Pinjarra.

“I became really good friends with a couple of families in town.”

Butler said he became close with the Kearing family, in particular. 

“I learnt heaps from them – their stories and their connection to land,” he said. 

“They opened my eyes to the natural world I was living in, but also to the injustices that Indigenous people face.

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“That totally informed my passion and connection to Indigenous Australia – it started in Pinjarra.”

Butler said he witnessed “systematic racism that was prevalent throughout the region”. 

“All kinds of racism that you don’t get to see as a white person unless you are in the black part of town, in a certain time of night,” he said. 

“Because I was in a black part of town, at a certain time of night, I got to see things I wouldn’t normally.

“In the 1980’s and 90’s, you think you are way past the years of racism but it is still alive and well.”

Butler has been vocal about changing the date of Australia Day to respect Indigenous Australians and even made a speech outside Parliament House asking politicians to consider the request.

He reminded the country to pay respects to Indigenous Australians in his 2014 winning Aria speech for Best Blues and Roots album. 

“I’d like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land,” he said.

This sparked public conversation on social media and in the news. 

Following the ceremony, he told Fairfax Media it was a “simple thing to do”. 

“It's the right thing to do, it doesn't take much," he said. "It shouldn't be up to me, but I don't mind doing it if I have to."