National Indigenous Music Awards 2026

The National Indigenous Music Awards 2026 are the 23rd annual National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), which is scheduled to take place on 8 August 2026. Nominations were announced on 10 July 2026 during NAIDOC Week.[1]

National Indigenous Music Awards 2026
Date8 August 2026 (2026-08-08)
VenueDarwin Amphitheatre, Northern Territory, Australia
Most nominationsBaker Boy, Birdz and Fred Leone (4)
Websitenima.musicnt.com.au
 2025 ·
· 2027 

Performers

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Performers at the event are scheduled to include:

  • Baker Boy
  • Big Noter
  • Bumpy
  • Casii Williams
  • Electric Fields
  • Stiff Gins
  • Zipporah

Hall of Fame inductee

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  • TBA

Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Winner

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Awards

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The nominations were revealed on 10 July 2026.[1] Winners indicated in boldface, with other nominees in plain.

Artist of the Year

Artist Result
3% Nominated
Baker Boy Nominated
Birdz and Fred Leone Nominated
Bumpy Nominated
Jem Cassar-Daley Nominated
Miss Kaninna Nominated
South Summit Nominated


Best New Talent of the Year

Artist Result
Drifting Clouds Nominated
Inkabee Nominated
Jet Cameron Nominated
Say True God Nominated
Voices of Resistance Nominated
Zipporah Nominated

Album of the Year

Artist and album Result
Baker Boy - Djandjay Nominated
Birdz & Fred Leone – Gira Nominated
Say True God? – Blak Nominated
Emma DonovanTake Me to the River Nominated
Stiff GinsCrossroads Nominated
TrialsHendle Nominated

Film Clip of the Year

Artist and song Result
3% – "Our Greats" Nominated
Baker Boy (featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'Ahn & Jada Weazel) – "Thick Skin" Nominated
Birdz & Fred Leone – "Wanya Nyin Yanmanj" Nominated
Drifting Clouds – "Bawuypawuy" Nominated
Kobie Dee – "Aim for the Stars" Nominated
South Summit – "Top of the Hill" Nominated

Song of the Year

Artist and song Result
Baker Boy (featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'Ahn & Jada Weazel) – "Thick Skin" Nominated
Birdz & Fred Leone – "Wanya Nyin Yanmanj" Nominated
Drifting Clouds – "Bawupawuy" Nominated
Jem Cassar-Daley – "Front Left Pocket" Nominated
Yung Maynie - "Always Was" Nominated
Zipporah - "Some Typa Way" Nominated

Community Clip of the Year

Artist and song Result
Bulman School & Community – "Lok Los Mah Burarr (Lizard & Goanna)" Nominated
Geraldton - "(Barndi Yarraly) Vaping is Vicious – Not Delicious" Nominated
K2 the B and CJR – "Barunga" Nominated
Mossman Gorge – "Yundu Bama Yalada" Nominated
Mossman Mob - "Still Believing" Nominated
Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) - "All the Way from the NPA" Nominated
Wujal Wujal - "Rainforest to the Sea" Nominated

References

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