NAIDOC Week: The 15 Movers & Shakers Bringing First Nations Excellence Forward

Given that this year’s NAIDOC Week theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, we thought we’d take a look at the First Nations folks who are making waves. Blak excellence isn’t just coming, it’s already here. From the screen to the stage, art studios to the board room, First Nations movers and shakers are continuing to lead with strength, vision and legacy. 

Every generation has its trailblazers, but what makes Blakfullas different is that each one doesn’t just make their mark, they continue a legacy. Every new wave is an expansion of community, of family, of name… a continuation of talent, skill and hard work woven through time. 

Here are 15 names of people and collectives worth knowing, and backing, as they shake things up. 

1. Tynga Williams (@tyngawilliams)

Wiradjuri, Gamilaroi and Noongar model and multidisciplinary artist. (Image Credit: @tyngawilliams)

Tynga‘s work blends fashion, beauty and creativity, both in front of and behind the camera. Just this week, she landed herself in the latest edition of VOGUE Australia, saying she hopes her work inspires other queer or trans people growing up in foster care, like she did. 

2. Kai Clancy (@kaiwarr)

Brotherboy from Wakka Wakka & Wulli Wulli Nations & Father of the Kiki House Of Brown. (Image Credit: @kaiwarr)

Kai Clancy is leading with pride in the Oceania ballroom scene, expanding space and opportunity for mob all whilst fathering the Kiki House Of Brown and hosting the second Indigenous All Stahz Ball on Gadigal Country. 

3. Oxy-Kodeine (@its_oxy_kodeine)

Wiradjuri Drag Artist. (Image Credit: @its_oxy_kodeine)

Daughter of Rupaul’s Drag Race Global All Star’s Kween Kong, Oxy-Kodeine is a fierce drag artist known for her high energy performances and travelling all over to showcase Blakfulla drag. 

4. Jarin Ingram Baignet (@jarin_baigent)

CEO & Founder of Wiradjuri owned activewear brand. (Image Credit: @jarin_baigent)

Jarin is building Blak business and success from the ground up, blending fitness, fashion and community. She is the CEO of Aged Care Service Wyanaga Elders, Owner of Jarin Street and Founder of Trading Blak. 

5. @SOVBLKPSSY

Queer Ngarrindjeri/Ramindjeri and Walkandi–Woni musician and DJ. (Image Credit: @sovblkpssy)

SOVBLKPSSY has solidified herself as a deadly, genre-bending DJ blending resistance rhythm. Using some of the hottest tracks like Barkaa’s “Our Lives Matter”, SOVBLKPSSY has everyone getting up to shake it.

6. Marley Morgan (@marleymorganphotography)

Distinguished Wiradjuri, Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaraay photographer. (Image Credit: @marleymorganphotography)

Marley captures powerful, intimate portraits of Blak families, motherhood and community. Her work blends cultural pride with new storytelling, often highlighting the beauty of mobs. Exhibiting nationally, she has appeared in Vogue Australia, Marie Claire, Frankie and has been recognised as a Vogue Vanguard for her contributions. 

7. Akala Newman (@akala_newman)

Proud Wiradjuri / Gadigal Singer, songwriter, cultural producer and performer. (Image Credit: @akala_newman)

Akala is an ethereal pop diva with events like Sydney Opera House’s New Year’s Eve fireworks and the National Indigenous Music Awards under her belt. She’s also an educator, consultant and artist, championing mob through initiatives like Gili Gatherings. 

8. D’arcy (@yirawulinweaving)

Wiradjuri weaver and artist. (Image Credit: @yirawulinweaving)

Based on Yuin Country, Darcy was taught to weave by the elders in Nyinyikay Homeland in North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. She weaves beautiful, vibrant baskets, earrings and other traditional pieces. 

9. Jinaya (@jinayadreaming)

Bundjalung / Gamilaroi artist and storyteller. (Image Credit: @jinayadreaming)

In three words, Jinaya‘s work is ancestral, intimate and ethereal. She believes art should take you on a journey and her painting reflects a journey of identity, Country and community. 

10. Mahalia Mabo (@mahalia.mabo)

Manbarra, Nywaigi, Meriam artist and designer. (Image Credit: @mahalia.mabo)

Descendent of the great Eddie Koiki mabo, Mahalia continues this legacy through her art which often draws on her childhood memories and Country. Works like Three Tribes delves into these stories. Mahalia has just launched a national collection with Australia Post. 

11. Dylan Mooney (@dylanmooney_)

Yuwi and South Sea Islander artist and curator. (Image Credit: @dylanmooney_)

Working in digital illustration, painting and printmaking, Dylan Mooney‘s art conveys powerful messages including identity and queer Indigenous love. Legally blind, they use digital mediums to create high impact works.

His work won the Brisbane Portrait Prize in 2023, has been exhibited in the National Gallery of Victoria and the Biennale of Sydney and currently has a collection at the Art Gallery of NSW. If you visit Darlinghurst, Sydney you will see a large scale mural by Dylan towering over the suburb.

12. First Nations Response (@firstnationsresponse)

100 per cent First Nations led organisation creating healthy and sustainable food systems for mob. (Image Credit: @firstnationsresponse)

Founded by Wiradjuri sisters Coral Lever and Kimberly Peckham, FNR is a grassroots, Aboriginal women-led organisation based in Sydney that supports culturally appropriate support and urgent food relief to First Nations communities in the Inner-West and Inner-City of Sydney.

13. Brooke Collard, Jazz Money, Lynda June Coe and Cormach Evans (@commongroundfirstnations)

First Nations not-for-profit working to shape a society that centres First Nations people by amplifying knowledge, cultures and stories. (Image Credit: @commongroundfirstnations)

With board members like Lynda-June Coe, Jazz Money and Cormach Evans, Common Ground collaborates with First Nations creatives and communities to produce digital storytelling projects, educational resources and advocacy campaigns that promote truth telling and cultural understanding.

A notable initiative includes the First Nations Bedtime Stories series which brings Dreaming stories into homes and classrooms across the nation.

14. Tihani Jade Adamson (@tiahnijade)

Kaurareg Nation descendent, wildlife conservation biologist. (Image Credit: @tiahnijade)

Tihani’s work uses Indigenous knowledge to address climate change and to promote sustainability. Tihani collaborates with mob to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into methane reducing seaweed aquaculture projects and also lectures at the University of South Australia. Tihani has extended her advocacy into roles such as Seed Mob, Australia’s only First Nations led youth climate justice group. 

15. Memarloo Jayla Shae Davey (@mermaloo_)

Miriwoong, Jaminjung, Ngarinyman multidisciplinary artist. (Image Credit: @memarloo_)

Memarloo is a staunch multidisciplinary artist and host of The Body Sovereignty podcast, which delves into everything you need to stay in your power. Each episode, a guest joins to explore all things sovereignty and autonomy in terms of their body and work. 

These makers and shakers aren’t just building the future, they are the future. They carry stories, spark movements, and shift culture, all while redefining what legacy looks like on their own terms. As we honour this year’s NAIDOC theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, we also honour the many First Nations people creating, leading and carrying that excellence and legacy. 

Follow their work, share their stories and support mob all year round.

Ethan Lyons (@ngurambang) is a Wiradjuri multidisciplinary artist, writer and community organiser from Gadigal Country. He writes for PTV on all the Blak places, people and things to engage with during NAIDOC week. 

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