As the 2026 edition of the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) comes ever-closer, organisers have announced the two acts that will be honoured as this year’s Hall Of Fame inductees.
Leading the charge in Marlene Cummins – a proud Guguyelandji woman on her father’s side and Woppaburra on her mother’s – whose storied career as seen her regarded as one of the country’s leading Indigenous female blues voices.
Born in Cunnamulla, Cummins studied saxophone and songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has spent her career as a highly-regarded performer, broadcaster, activist, dancer, actress, and more.
Having won numerous awards for her broadcasting work, sharing her own history of survival and resilience via the Black Panther Woman documentary, and using her song Koori Woman as a dedication to Indigenous women as the backbone of the struggle, Cummins has carved out a legacy as one of Australia's most distinctive storytellers in music.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
Additionally, Elcho Island outfit Saltwater Band will also be inducted into the Hall Of Fame, recognising their career as multiple award-winning (including numerous NIMAs, Deadlys, and more) songwriters and performers.
Boasting the late Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu as a founding member (himself a Hall Of Fame inductee, inducted by fellow founding member Manuel Dhurrkay), Saltwater Band’s unique sound was one which featured traditional song threaded through reggae and ska-influenced pop, sung mostly in Yolŋu languages, and one whose legacy still resonates amongst nascent Indigenous outfits today.
Featuring Rob Collins and Leila Gurruwiwi on MC duties, the 2026 edition of the NIMAs will take place at the Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 8th, and features an eclectic line-up of performers, including Baker Boy, Electric Fields, BIG NOTER, Stiff Gins, Bumpy, and much more.
Ahead of the event, the Blak Loud Showcase has also been announced. Taking place at Darwin’s Bustard Town on August 7th, the unofficial opening night of the NIMAs sees Amazon Music Australia and Awesome Blak bringing together the likes of South Summit, Zipporah, and Casii Williams to capture the proud, unapologetic, and deadly spirit of its performers.
Free RSVPs are available now for the Blak Loud Showcase.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS – 2026
Saturday 8 August - Darwin Amphitheatre, Garramilla/Darwin, NT
AWARD CATEGORIES:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
3%
Baker Boy
Birdz and Fred Leone
BUMPY
Jem Cassar-Daley
Miss Kaninna
South Summit
BEST NEW TALENT
Drifting Clouds - Bawuypawuy
Inkabee
Jet Cameron
Say True God?
Dallas Woods, Nooky, Fred Leone, RIAH & Soju Gang - “Voices of Resistance”
Zipporah - Some Typa Way
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Baker Boy - DJANDJAY
Birdz & Fred Leone - GIRA
Emma Donovan - Take Me to The River
Say True God? - BLAK
Stiff Gins - Crossroads
Trials – hendle
FILM CLIP OF THE YEAR
3% - Our Greats
Baker Boy - THICK SKIN feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel
Birdz & Fred Leone - Wanya Nyin Yanmanj
Drifting Clouds - Bawuypawuy
Kobie Dee - Aim For The Stars
South Summit - Top of the Hill
COMMUNITY CLIP OF THE YEAR
Bulman School & Community - LOK LOK MAH BURARR (Lizard & Goanna)
Geraldton TIS - Barndi Yarraly (Vaping is Vicious, Not Delicious)
K2 the B and CJR - Barunga
Mossman Gorge - Yundu Bama Yalada
Mossman Mob - Still Believing
Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) - All The Way From The NPA
Wujal Wujal - Rainforest to the Sea
SONG OF THE YEAR
Baker Boy - THICK SKIN feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel
Birdz & Fred Leone - Wanya Nyin Yanmanj
Drifting Clouds - Bawuypawuy
Jem Cassar-Daley - Front Left Pocket
Yung Maynie - Always Was
ZIPPORAH - Some Typa Way
2026 LIVE PERFORMANCE LINE-UP
Baker Boy
BIG NOTER
Bumpy
Casii Williams
Electric Fields
South Summit
Stiff Gins
Zipporah
+ more to be announced
