As a foreigner, I perceive January 26 as a date that deeply divides Australia, instead of uniting it. While it is still considered the official national day, meant to be celebrated by the whole country, for First Nations people, it symbolises the opposite: mourning, survival, and invasion. Just pick up a modern history book to try to grasp the roots of this controversy.
These two vastly different approaches often result in difficult discussions centred around moving the “Australia Day” date or abolishing it altogether. From my time in Naarm/Melbourne, I recall a lot of tension, bitterness, and frustration building around the upcoming January holiday.
But this uncomfortable topic doesn’t have to be a reason for hostility and resentment. Blak Powerhouse is the best example of how you can flip the script, turning a colonially minded narrative into a celebration of Blak power, pride, and positivity.
PART 254 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
You can’t talk about Blak Powerhouse and understand its significance without mentioning the organisation that spearheads the annual event first.
We Are Warriors (WAW) is an Indigenous social enterprise operating as ‘profit-for-purpose’ (note the clever wordplay) to celebrate Blak excellence, histories and futures.
The platform – first of its kind in Australia – intends to give the First Nations Mob “something to aspire to, unlock their own Warrior spirit and drive positive change.” Unsurprisingly, this vision has long gone beyond its initial scope, becoming an all-encompassing cultural movement.
The project was founded in 2022 by Aboriginal rapper Nooky.
Real name Corey Webster, he is one of the most recognisable artists and one of the most vocal First Nations rights advocates in Australia today. With a successful solo career, he’s also a member of 3% – a hip-hop outfit that has been taking the Land Down Under by storm in the last couple of years. Additionally, he hosts ‘Blak Out’ – a weekly Sunday segment on triple j, promoting fellow Indigenous creatives.
Music career aside, Nooky noticed a huge gap when it comes to empowering First Nations youth to have fulfilling lives, without being perceived as the lesser or undeserving members of Australian society.
Yes, ladies and gents: In the 21st century, this unkind, distorted, and racist perception of the Aboriginal community persists in certain circles in Australia.
Blackfellas are often pictured as notorious troublemakers and main protagonists of crimes and social unrest. WAW website cites an eye-opening statistic that proves the point. While First Nations people make up less than 5% of the population, Indigenous youth account for 80% of all 10-year-olds behind bars. 10-YEAR-OLDS. Let that sink in.
No wonder – Aboriginal kids don’t have too many public role models to look up to on national TV, global streaming platforms or commercial radio. And, as the old saying goes, you cannot be what you cannot see. So the odds are stacked against them from the get-go. The lack of representation has profound consequences for their adult lives.
Nooky is clearly not okay with it. So he called upon a few other prominent First Nations “Warriors” to share their stories of resistance and resilience. They serve as inspiration for the young generations, showing them what Blak excellence and strong leadership look like, and helping them realise their own greatness.
The whole concept is simple, really – let the Indigenous youth know they’ve got options. Hence, among the Warriors, you’ll find reps of many different life and career paths, from models to choreographers and sportpeople. The music industry is represented by some of my favourite acts, well-respected in Australia: BARKAA, Kobie Dee, and Soju Gang.
Sharing powerful stories is one thing. But on the movement’s first birthday, an idea for another type of celebration was born. Blak Powerhouse has been held on January 26 every year since 2023, in collaboration with another influential cultural institution – the Gadigal Land (Sydney)-based Powerhouse.
Beau James (Mununjali), First Nations Acting Director at Powerhouse, expressed what the collaboration with WAW means to their organisation:
“Blak Powerhouse is a formidable reclamation, a showcase of some of our finest talent. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aren’t defined by a date or a vote, and the scale of this amazing event makes it clear – since the first sunrise, and until the last sunset, we are always here. Powerhouse is very honoured to continue our partnership with We Are Warriors and support the annual production of Blak Powerhouse and associated programming.”
This year is fairly special for Blak Powerhouse, too. It coincides with WAW’s 5th anniversary. As the themes change every time, 2026 is dedicated to – very fittingly – the cultural practice of ‘Welcome to Country’, which First Nations people consider as unceded ancestral homelands upon which all Australians live, work and gather.
In that uniting spirit, Gadigal traditional owners will lead a smoking ceremony and teach weaving practices. Panels exploring themes of cultural practice, connection, and power, dance performances, interactive art installations, Blak Market stalls, and short film showcases will accompany the event, too.
But it wouldn’t be a proper celebration without live music and DJs. Deadly acts like R&B/soul vocalist Mi-Kaisha, the rap duo Birdz & Fred Leone, and hip-hop artists Ziggy Ramo, BARKAA and Nooky’s own 3% will soundtrack the evening.
It’s worth mentioning here that Blak Powerhouse is not reserved for Indigenous people only. Allies are welcome to participate. And the best part is that entry to this inclusive, all-ages event is free. But booking is highly recommended as the organisers expect a full house (again).
After all, as Nooky put it: “Blak Powerhouse was created to change the narrative on that day.” So this year, “we open our arms to mob and non-First Nations people, inviting them to come together, learn about Country and share in the strength of what our culture offers.”
f you ask me, that’s what January 26 should always be about.
Blak Powerhouse
Monday, January 26, 2026, 6 PM – 11 PM
Manning House, Camperdown, NSW (Gadigal Land)
Free entry – book complementary tickets here
Learn about more First Nations music projects:
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