Returning Waru to Waiben, and Pirritu performs

In 1994, Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative became the home of the country's first Queer Indigenous art exhibition, Lookin' Good.

The show featured work from artists like Brook Andrew, r e a, Matthew Cook, Destiny Deacon and Arone Raymond Meeks. 

This Mardi Gras weekend, find out how the show came together, and what the Black LGBTQIA+ art space looks like 30 years on. 

Then meet actor and theatre activist Callan Purcell.

Callan has brought Thomas Weatherall's one-man show Blue to Kaurna Country for Adelaide Festival.

He explains how he's making this incredibly personal story his own. 

Plus for Word Up, head to Kununurra in Western Australia, where Chey Kelly shares some of his language — Mirriwong. 

How can First Nations ways of thinking and doing shape the way the creative industries operate?

Theatre maker Wesley Enoch, poet Jeanine Leane, and curator Keith Munro discuss how they prioritise First Nations creative autonomy and some of the challenges they’re still navigating.

Plus for Word Up, Tamara Pearson takes you to Hope Vale where she’ll share a word that means ‘to reciprocate’.

Bigambul/Kamilaroi artist Archie Moore has spent the past year working with curator Ellie Buttrose to create kith and kin, a work that pays tribute to the fortitude of First Nations peoples.

Then, a poetic odyssey of rediscovery and resilience with Gunai writer and artist Kirli Saunders.

Plus for Word Up, Tamara Pearson takes you to Hope Vale to share a little more Guugu Yimithirr.

Inspired by the totemic significance of green sea turtles in the Torres Strait, Waru is the first full-length children’s program from Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Elma Kris, Jenson Warusam and Frances Rings discuss the significance of taking the show to Waiben, Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, where it was performed in entirely in Kriol for the first time.

Then, Ngiyampaa artist Pirritu plays live in the Awaye studio.

Plus for Word Up, head to Hope Vale with Tamara Pearson where she’ll share the Guugu Yimidhirr word for 'language'.

Co-curators Kelli Cole and Hetti Perkins re-introduce you to Emily Kam Kngwarray.

From updating the spelling of the famous artist’s name to grounding her work back with her Country, their exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia has been a huge undertaking.

They’ll explain how they’ve collaborated with her community to pull it off.

Plus, Derik Lynch and Matthew Thorne discuss their short film  Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black), and Tamara Peason takes you to Hope Vale for Word Up.

Uncle Kutcha Edwards has been blending song writing and activism for more than 30 years now. He’s a deeply thoughtful songwriter and performer. You’ll hear about the kind of atmosphere he hopes to create at his shows.

Plus, Walmatjarri gospel blues singer Olive Knight from the desert community of Wangkatjungka.

Despite having graced some of the biggest stages in the world, Olive is still something of a hidden gem.

Frances Peters-Little discusses the long journey to writing and publishing A Yorta Yorta Man – a biography about her father, Uncle Jimmy Little.

Plus Filipino/Wiradjuri artist Mo’Ju talks through their album, ORO PLATA MATA.

Divided into three chapters, the record reflects on capitalism, community, and letting go.

It’s the very definition of a concept album.

We Come With This Place swept the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards, winning an unprecedented four out of 14 prizes.

We’re celebrating that achievement again by diving back into the interview Debra gave when her winning streak was just beginning.

Then, Nardi Simpson and Karleena Briggs of the Stiff Gins look back on their musical journey and a style they describe as "acoustic with harmonies".

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Meet Archie Moore, an artist whose work wrestles with themes of racism, Australia’s national identity, and his own family history.

In just a few months, he’ll be the second Aboriginal solo artist to present at the Venice Biennale - the Olympics of the art world.

Then, Zena Cumpston and David Doyle talk Country and reciprocal relationships as part of a conversation recorded live at the Australia Museum for Vivid Sydney and one of my highlights of 2023.

On Saturday 8 February 1993, Clayton Lewis brought you the first ever episode of Awaye.

It was the International Year of the World’s Indigenous People, and the goal was to reflect the depth, diversity and vitality of Indigenous culture through the arts. Thirty years later, that’s still our guiding principle.

Today, you’ll hear from a few of the people who’ve shaped Awaye on and off the air.