We Are Warriors and R/GA create documentary to inspire Indigenous Youth

We Are Warriors, an Indigenous social enterprise dedicated to celebrating Blak excellence and empowering Indigenous youth, will launch the film at its Blak Powerhouse event in Sydney on Invasion Day (January 26).

The date, the most polarising date in the country, is officially recognised as Australia Day and was traditionally celebrated as a national holiday. It marks the arrival of white settlers on the land now called Australia and is recognised by First Nations people as Invasion Day.

The Blak Powerhouse event sees We Are Warrior's takeover Sydney's Powerhouse museum to host a free event with live music, contemporary and traditional dance, film, art and panel discussions.

The aim is to "turn a day known for great loss and sorrow into one of power and positivity from an inclusive space."

The event, held on the anniversary of the launch of We Are Warriors, will see the world premiere of the documentary film 'Through The Fire'.

The documentary "is an all-encompassing cultural movement and platform dedicated to inspiring, equipping and empowering Indigenous youth to succeed by connecting them with First Nations role models."

The film features We Are Warriors founder Nooky, who is a Yuin artist, producer and radio host. The film was produced by Kieran Satour and cinematographer Tyson Perkins.

Nooky says, “January 26 is a day that doesn’t usually give me good emotions or feelings. My people mourn the atrocities that ensued on and after January 26, 1788. We celebrate our survival on the day, while others celebrate… you ask em. I bet half of em couldn’t tell you. Launching WAW on January 26 and now creating the Blak Powerhouse on our 1st birthday really has changed what this day means to me personally, and hopefully we can do that for others as well. For me it has a new name up there with Invasion Day and Survival Day - now WAW day is in the mix.”

Ben Miles, VP, Executive Creative Director, Brand Design & Consulting APAC at R/GA adds, “It's hard to be what you can't see. So, on a day that's so polarising, we wanted to take control of the narrative and put a spotlight on Blak excellence. We reached out to the Powerhouse Museum with a brave idea of transforming it into the House of Blak Power. And on Invasion Day it will be renamed the Blak Powerhouse. It's a bold move and an invitation to come together and be part of a Blak Future.”

On Blak Powerhouse, Nooky says: “Blak Powerhouse is another mark in the We Are Warriors song line. January 26 is a day that doesn’t usually give me good emotions or feelings. My people mourn the atrocities that ensued on and after January 26, 1788. We celebrate our survival on the day, while others celebrate… you ask em. I bet half of em couldn’t tell you. Launching WAW on January 26 and now creating the Blak Powerhouse on our 1st birthday really has changed what this day means to me personally, and hopefully we can do that for others as well. For me it has a new name up there with Invasion Day and Survival Day - now WAW day is in the mix.”