Emily Wurramara Wins Artist Of The Year At National Indigenous Music Awards 2025
Last weekend, the 21st National Indigenous Music awards took place in Garramilla/Darwin, Australia. Emily Wurramara was honored with the artist of the year award, and took the time to use her platform to speak out for all Indigenous and oppressed people around the world.
She expressed her gratitude for the work she does, stating that “there’s nothing like coming back home and being here and playing for the mob and playing for the people.”
“The music is about the people. The music is freedom. Free Palestine, free Congo, and free all Indigenous peoples around the world from their oppressors. It always was, and always will be Indigenous land.”
After the award ceremony, the Garamilla-born Warindhilyagwa singer spoke with the Guardian Australia about her commitment to using her voice.
“I’ve been very vocal about it online … advocating for Palestinians and Indigenous people all across the world – it’s our fight,” she proclaimed.
Wurramara also won film clip of the year for Lordy Lordy, which was written during Australia’s voice to parliament referendum. Lordy Lodry was shot in Larrakia country, directed by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, and featuring the Northern Territory’s Red Flag Dancers and members of Wurramara’s family.
“The song is a reminder that our people always have a voice, and always will.”
Also during the ceremony, Malyangapa Barkindji rapper Barkaa, who won artist of the year last year, won album of the year for her second EP, Big Tidda.
“For my tiddas – it’s for my sisters, it’s for the black matriarchy, it’s for black women. It’s a dedication to my mother, to my daughter, to my nieces, to my big sisters,” Barkaa said to the Guardian.
“The Nimas are such a special night, because it’s celebrating Black unity; celebrating all our brothers and sisters and countrymen from across this country, and just being able to come together. And you know, when one of us wins, we all win.”
Best new talent and song of the year went to the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band from Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land. They were awarded for their song Once Upon A Time, a reggae-inflected protest that addresses colonization, the frontier wars, and the Yolŋu fight for land rights.
The Bulman school and community in the NT won the award for community clip of the year for the second year in a row. The award is meant to recognize young talent, and the school won for their video Crocodile Style. The video had local children rapping in English and Dalabon while telling the story of Korlomomo (crocodile) and Berrerdberred (rainbow bee eater), and how humans came to have fire.
Garramilla/Darwin-born and Kuku Yalanji and Wakaman singer and actor Jessica Mauboy was inducted into the NIMA’s hall of fame during this year’s ceremony as well. The award recognized Mauboy’s impact on Australian music and her success as a recording artist.
“From humble beginnings in Darwin to the international stages, music has been my voice, my escape and my connection to the people all over the world,” Mauboy said.
“This hall of fame induction is not just about my achievements, but also about the message that I can send to young dreamers everywhere. I want every aspiring artist to know that their dreams are valid and attainable. No voice is too small, and every story is worth telling.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
