00:00One of the largest annual events celebrating First Nations culture and achievement begins
00:07tonight in Adelaide.
00:09The National NAIDOC Week Awards recognise the life-changing work of Indigenous leaders
00:13across the country.
00:15It's also the first major gathering since the failed voice referendum last year.
00:19For more, let's go to our reporter, Tani Jash in Adelaide.
00:22Tani, what's expected?
00:24Well, it's going to be a really big event tonight and for some First Nations people,
00:29this is like the Black Logies.
00:32Event organisers are expecting almost 2,000 people here on Kaurna country tonight for
00:36the National NAIDOC Week Awards.
00:38And we've already seen people strut the black carpet behind me and now they've moved into
00:42the main room preparing for the event to start shortly.
00:46Now, as you mentioned, this is the NAIDOC Week Awards and it's one of the biggest events
00:50on the calendar for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
00:54And people from all over the country, all parts of the country are here tonight to celebrate.
00:59And it's really about recognising trailblazers and the important work that they're doing
01:02to improve the lives of their communities.
01:05And what makes it really special is that the finalists that are in the running for an award
01:10have been nominated by their community members.
01:13And the judges had a really tough job of culling through 200 submissions to get down to 28
01:19finalists that are in the running for 10 coveted awards.
01:22Now, as you mentioned, this is the first event, first major gathering since the failed voice
01:27referendum last year.
01:29And we are also going to be hearing from the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda
01:33Burney, later tonight.
01:36And Jessica Mowboy will be rounding out the event with a special performance.
01:41Tony Jash in Adelaide, thank you.
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