AWAYE! brings you diverse and vibrant Aboriginal arts and culture from across Australia.

AWAYE! brings you diverse and vibrant Aboriginal arts and culture from across Australia.

Explore opening weekend of Too Deadly: Ten Years of Tarnanthi at the Art Gallery of South Australia with Yhonnie Scarce, Carol Puruntatameri, Libby Harward and Dominique Chen. Plus for Word Up Gari Tudor-Smith shares the Gangulu  word for bird.

Dakota Feirer's poetry collection Arsenic Flower blossomed in the soil of stolen Country thanks to love, resistance and sacrifice. He discusses negating the cycles of trauma, and the experience of finishing a manuscript while living and studying overseas. Then head to SXSW Sydney with Awesome Black's founder and Executive Directory, Travis de Vries.  And for Word Up, Gari Tudor-Smith reflects on the way familiar stories and words that are familiar, deepen in meaning over time.

Candice discusses the how Uncle Archie Roach's Singing Our Futures program nurtures emerging musical talent, and introduces some of this year's remarkable cohort of mentees: Naomi Diane, Torres Green, and Wren Arkose. Plus, for Word Up Gari Tudor-Smith shares a Gangulu word with a dual meaning.

ILBIJERRI Theatre Company has welcomed celebrated playwright, director and dramaturge Andrea James as their new artistic director and co-CEO. Andrea discusses what drew her to the role, and why she intends to celebrate "Boldness, Blakness and Brilliance" in all its full power.

Mooghalin Performing Arts’ artistic director  and co-founder Lily Shearer and producer Leroy Parsons discuss how the biennial Yellamundie Festival is bringing together First Nations creatives to develop six sound, movement and theatre works. Then former Bangarra dancer Yolande Brown returns to the company as a creative force behind their new work for children: The Bogon’s Song. And for Word Up language champion Ray Dimakarri Dixon shares the Mudburra word for ‘water’.

Loki Liddle and Reece Bowden from Selve discuss the subversive energy of developing their album Breaking into Heaven on Jabbir Jabbir Country, refinind it in Paris, and recording it at Abbey Road. Plus, for Word Up Ray Dimakarri Dixon shares the Mudburra word for a ‘spirit’ or ‘guide’ of Country.

Having published her memoir Long Yarn Short, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts discusses the provocation that "writing is activism" and consider how stories can build bridges where bureaucracy has built walls. Plus, for Word Up Ray Dimakarri Dixon shares the Mudburra word for 'tree'.

Journey to the warm, salty breezes of Far North Queensland where Torres Strait Islander author Lenora Thacker has set her debut historical fiction novel that pulses with three living languages. The Pearl of Tagai Town weaves Kala Lagaw Ya, Meriam Mir, and Yumplatok into a groundbreaking wartime love story. Plus for Word Up, language legend Neenah Gray shares more of her father's language—Darumbal. 

Fresh from her National Indigenous Music Awards  Hall of Fame induction, Jessica Mauboy traces her journey from classroom rebel to cultural powerhouse.

Gamilaroi poet Luke Patterson debuts an explosive new poetry collection titled: A Savage Turn. Awaye remembers the life and legacy of Uncle Noel Tovey, an incredible man who has had a profound impact on Blak dance and theatre. Plus for Word Up, Neenah Gray shares more of the Darumbal language. 

Head to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory to meet some of this year's NATSIAA winners, including the 2025 major prize winner. Plus for Word Up Neenah Gray shares a word that encourages deeper listening.

As Darwin prepares for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, Country to Couture runway show, and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Michelle Maynard explains how "a little showcase in the back of the hall" has grown into Australia's premier platform for Indigenous fashion. Plus, it's National Poetry Month and to celebrate emerging poet Maggie Knight-Williams discusses how poetry can be both weapon and balm, transforming pain into power through that cheeky, kitchen-table storytelling. And for Word Up, Neenah Gray shares her father’s language — Darumbal.    

Under the thoughtful guidance of editor Yasmin Smith, UQP has unveiled its third collection of First Nations classics, repositioning First Nations stories at the heart of Australian literature.  Together with author Tara June Winch, Yasmin reflects on the seminal works that make up the collection, including Tara's own Swallow the Air. Then Larrakia artist Jenna Mayilema Lee transforms immigration documents — once tools of control — into profound spaces for healing and cultural connection for the National Art School's exhibition Neighbour at the Gate. Plus Kurrama Elder Joan Ashburton shares her final word for Word Up.

As Uncle Roger Knox tours his powerful new album Buluunarbi and The Old North Star he visits the Radio National studios to perform from live.  Plus for Word Up, Aunty Joan Ashburton introduces us to her friend and Kurrama Elder Sandra Haigh, together they share a word for a special place in the Pilbara.

Dr Daniel Hunt took home the coveted NAIDOC Person of the Year title at the National NAIDOC Awards. He reflects on his win and shares how his dual expertise, deep cultural knowledge, and commitment to community help him work with mob in medicine. Plus an extraordinary collaboration between women from Roebourne in Western Australia's Pilbara region and women from the Yuin nation on the NSW far south coast is proving Country truly connects us all. And for Word Up Kurrama Elder Joan Ashburton shares the word for 'feeling good'.

The Australian National Maritime Museum's acquisition of a mysterious 19th-century ship's figurehead promises to unlock hidden chapters of Australia's maritime history. Proud queer Guringai entrepreneur, Kaylene Langford discusses how she created a platform that's mentored over 500 Indigenous business leaders globally.  Plus for Word Up, Kurrama Elder Joan Ashburton from the Pilbara region of Western Australia shares a greeting word from her father’s language.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair curator Bruce Johnson McLean explains why this year’s fair feels like a homecoming and how artist Tony Albert has shaped his curatorial vision. Then Juanita Page, a proud Goreng Goreng and South Sea Islander woman breaking barriers in Australian menswear, and demonstrates why she embodies this year's NAIDOC Week theme: The Next Generation. Plus for Word Up, Stuart Joel Nugget returns to share the Jingili word for "old man." For more information on the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair CIAF click here.

When Melanie Munuggurr was named Australian Poetry Slam Champion in 2018 she was catapulted into the world of spoken word poetry, but for all the excitement the success came with challenges. Melanie reflects on her journey through the arts and why she wants arts festivals and institutions to provide more support for parents.  We meet Professor Braden Hill, the Nyungar educator making waves proving that traditional academia and digital platforms can work hand-in-hand. Plus for Word Up, Stuart Joel Nuggest shares the word for 'little boy' in Jingili.