KUREN – Musician
(Carla Orsatti) Source: Carla Orsatti
The Wiradjuri man from Hilston, NSW made a lot of noise (quite literally) when he dropped his track , a collaboration with NYC-based signer, Ben Alessi. This year KUREN is set to release his much anticipated debut EP.
The Rule sisters – TV Personalities
(R-L) Kiara, Aleisha, Angela, Jessica and Kelly in the background (NITV) Source: NITV
Only two weeks into the new year and the Rule sisters have already been featured on a in Sydney’s Kings’ Cross, have an 8-page spread in Vogue and are featured numerous newspapers and mags across the country.
Kaitlen Dodd – Model
(Moana Barroso) Source: Moana Barroso
The emerging model walked at last years’ Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and is now signed to three agencies for modeling and acting work. In March she'll be on the runway of the Indigenous Global Runway; a part of Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. The demand for the Kamilaroi woman has been so high, she says that she’s barely had time to focus on her studies. Her dream of becoming a Victoria’s Secret Runway star might just be a reality…
Madeline Wells – Activist
(Heath Holden) Source: Heath Holden
She is focused on giving young Indigenous people a voice and implementing change to ensure a bright future for Aboriginal Australia. Wells has been described as an ‘outstanding leader’, particularly in the space of human rights, policy making and rule of law.
In 2017 she will be attending more public talks, including US climate change activist and widening her international networks. Wells will also continue organising Q&A sessions and film screenings for the Tasmanian Aboriginal community and she has just begun her journey into learning her mother’s language, Wemba Wemba.
Tysan Towney – Actor
(Facebook/TysanTowney) Source: Facebook
This year he has a scored a role in a hit new US HBO series and will continue to take on tinsel town, pursuing more American TV and movies.
Mikaela Jade – Entrepreneur
(CrunchBase) Source: CrunchBase
Jade is scientist by trade who has entered the tech-world in a big way. The Cabrogal woman behind , a business that designs and delivers technologies to Indigenous communities and teaches non-Indigenous people about Indigenous culture through tech, recently started her venture in the absence of investors and instead, with her own self-funding and the assistance from a government grant.
Jade launched an app last year using photogrammetry and image recognition technology to capture natural objects on country (specifically Kakadu) to access details and learn stories about the site. She has travelled extensively in the past year, sharing her innovation with potential investors and stakeholders and 2017 will likely see her officially launch the unique smartphone app.
Charlee Fraser – Model
(Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Self-described as a ‘model in the making’, Fraser is likely to actually have it made this year with more international fashion shows, campaigns and press. Fraser's talents and success could make her the third Aboriginal women on the cover of Vogue Australia with Elaine George in 1993 and Samantha Harris in 2010, watch her in 2017.
Josh Muir – Artist
(Supplied) Source: Supplied
Following the success of his Youth Award at the Telstra NATSIAAs two years ago, in 2016 contemporary artist, Josh Muir was offered an entire façade of the National Gallery of Victoria as his canvas and has become a growing name in Australia’s art scene.
The young Yorta Yorta/Gunditjmara from country Victoria spent his youth battling with drug abuse says that he uses art as a way to heal his pain and express himself. His own personal story weaved together with his interest in European and its impact on Australia’s First Nations, makes unique contemporary Aboriginal art, rapidly gaining the affections of the art community.
In 2017 Muir will be designing the Richmond FC Guernsey for this years’ , collaborating with sculptor Adam Ridgeway at this years’ as well as releasing his first music single, ‘Bunjil’s child’.
Ishmael Marika – Filmmaker
(Creative Cowboy Films) Source: Creative Cowboy Films
Since Yonglu man Ishmael Marika began playing in the digital space he’s become no stranger to success. In 2014, Marika’s short film, had its world premiere at Garma Festival, official opening at the iconic Deckchair cinema in Darwin and was later screened on NITV. In the same year, he picked up the award for the NT young achiever and the Primavera: Young Australian Artist award at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
In 2016, the 25-year-old took home two major art awards; Traditional Song of the Year at the NIMAs and the Youth Award for the Testra NATSIAAs.
He has big things planned for 2017 including works at the South Australian Museum for Yidaki at the , a digital art animation project at in Sydney train stations, an exhibition with artist at the Freemantle Arts Centre and collaborating on video project with filmmakers in Melbourne.
Grace Lillian Lee – Curator and Designer
(Facebook) Source: Facebook
Lee is an Honors graduate from RMIT University and works as a curator, designer and mentor within a fashion dialogue in Cairns. She creates bespoke cultural designs, practicing cultural craftsmanship into contemporary forms.
In 2017 she will be celebrating the 5th anniversary of the fashion show at the Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair, as well as continuing her work in communities, particularly working on Mornington Island to help local artists develop their work into textiles.
Shaleise Law – AFL star
(AFL Queensland) Source: AFL Queensland
The young woman from Cherbourg has been making a name for herself in Aussie Rules being a consistent goal kicker and a master forward. She has a strong a chance at gaining a starting position with the Brisbane Lions for the 2017 AFL Women’s League. After joining the Queensland Under-16s team Law quickly rose up the ranks despite only learning to play in a year or so earlier, in Year 8.
With a strong sporting pedigree from her aunt Cathy Freeman and her rugby league playing grand-father Eric Law, Shaleise is definitely one to watch on the field in this year.
D’Arcy Short – Cricketer
(Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Six fours, three sixes, fifty on debut and the second fastest by a Hurricanes player - The Hobart debutant D’Arcy Short, a left-arm batter and bowler from Katherine, dominated the most recent Big Bash, beating his way to equal fifth-fastest half-century seen in the series.
Cricketing legend, Ricky Ponting commented on the player’s talents saying, “We are seeing something special here, this is as good strikes I have seen in the tournament so far.”
There’s rumours of a Cricket Australia contract this year with many fans crossing their fingers
Nathan Maynard – Playwright
(Sydney Festival 2017) Source: Sydney Festival 2017
The much anticipated play has debuted at the , before showing at the in Tasmania.
Yarramun Conole – Activist
(Facebook) Source: Facebook
In 2016, Conole helped organize the and spoke on NITV’s Awaken program regarding Don Dale and young Aboriginal peoples experiences.
This year she has been invited to Mapuche Aboriginal Struggles for Indigenous Land (MASIL) Exchange along with other Aboriginal activists from across the globe including, Aotearoa, Bolivia and Canada. Part of the exchange will also involve the filming of a documentary, with a particular focus on culture, land rights and Indigenous people's relationships to their respective lands, assimilation, transnational corporations and their relationships with indigenous peoples in each country, racism and resistance. Conole is for her trip.
Shai Bolton – AFL Star
(Richmond FC) Source: Richmond FC
Bolton’s talent in the under-18s carnival for South Fremantle got recruiters impressed with his ‘explosive’ speed, goal sense and tricks and Bolton was claimed for the last last year. Bolton is the son of former Fremantle midfielder Darren Bolton who funnily enough had his debut in 1999 against Richmond.
The young gun from Mandurah spent 2016 in the top 25 NAB AFL Draft Hub, quoted as having ‘a bounce and does things around the goal that others just can’t’. With his 18th birthday just celebrated, Bolton will be entering a career blazoned in AFL colours.
