The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA), also known as the NT Indigenous Music Awards from 2004 to 2008, are music awards presented to recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians in Australia.
History The inaugural event was held in 2004, launched as the NT Indigenous Music Awards. In 2008 the awards went national and were renamed the National Indigenous Music Awards.
Just a couple of weeks before the scheduled date of the 2021 event on 7 August, it was announced that it would be postponed until later in the year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic flaring in New South Wales.
In 2025, the event began a partnership with YouTube and the ceremony was livestreamed globally on the platform.
Description The National Indigenous Music Awards are awarded during the Darwin Festival and run by MusicNT in association with the Northern Territory Government. They recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. The Awards are presented at a special event in August as part of the Darwin Festival in Darwin, Northern Territory, and feature the best of Indigenous music talent.
Eligibility and categories To be eligible, the associated release or achievement must have taken place from July (the year prior) to June (the year of the awards).
The categories have changed over the years, but the main categories in the ceremony include Artist/Act of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Film clip of the Year and Best New Talent/Emerging Talent, as well as an inductee into the Hall of Fame.
Unearthed NIMAs Competition Radio station Triple j runs the Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards Competition to select an emerging Indigenous artist to play at the Awards. Winners have included Dallas Woods, Thelma Plum, Baker Boy, Alice Skye, Kuren, and Tilly Tjala Thomas.
Awards by year To see the full article for a particular year, please click on the year link.
Year Artist of the Year Album of the Year Song of the Year Hall of Fame Inductee Ref2004 Warren H. Williams Shellie Morris Yothu Yindi George Rrurrambu and Mandawuy Yunupingu2005 Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Shellie Morris Nabarlek Yilila - Manila, Manila Yilila - "Mijiyanga" Kathy & David Mills, The Mystics, Dick Mununggu, Gus Williams, Auriel Andrew, Mr. Yamma Snr and Herbie Laughton2006 Yilila Tom E. Lewis – Sunshine After Rain Warren H. Williams - "Learn My Song" Warumpi Band and Soft Sands2007Jessica Mauboy Nabarlek - Manmoyi Radio Terrah Guymala - "Little Journey to Manmoyi" Betty Fisher, Barry Benning2008Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Gurrumul Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - "Wiyathul" Peter Miller and Blek Bala Mujik, Mark Raymond and the Kulumindini Band2009 Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Jessica Mauboy - Been Waiting Jessica Mauboy - "Running Back" Sammy Butcher, Tableland Drifters and David Asera2010 Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Garrangali – Garrangali Garrangali – "Searights" Kumanjayi Murphy2011 Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Rrakala Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and Blue King Brown – "Gathu Mawula" Coloured Stone, No Fixed Address2012 Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu The Medics – Foundations The Medics – "Griffin" Jimmy Little, Sunrize Band & Lajamanu Teenage Band 2013 Jessica Mauboy Archie Roach – Into the Bloodstream Shellie Morris and the Borroloola Songwomen – "Waliwaliyangu li-Anthawirriyarra a-Kurija (Saltwater People Song)" Henry Dan, Wirrinyga Band, Archie Roach 2014 Jessica Mauboy Dan Sultan – Blackbird Dan Sultan – "The Same Man" Munkimuk 2015 Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan Briggs - Sheplife Thelma Plum - "How Much Does Your Love Cost?" Vic Simms and Blekbala Mujik 2016 Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Gawurra - Ratja Yaliyali Briggs, Dewayne Everettsmith & Gurrumul - "The Children Came Back" Kutcha Edwards2017Troy Cassar-DaleyTroy Cassar-Daley - Things I Carry AroundA.B. Original feat. Dan Sultan - "January 26"2018Geoffrey Gurrumul YunupinguGurrumul - Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)Gurrumul - "Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)"Roger Knox2019Baker BoyMojo Juju - Native TongueMojo Juju - "Native Tongue"Tiddas & Wilma Reading2020Baker BoyArchie Roach - Tell Me WhyBaker Boy feat JessB - "Meditjin"Ruby Hunter2021The Kid LaroiJK-47 – Made for ThisMiiesha – "Damaged" Kev Carmody2022 Baker Boy Baker Boy – Gela King Stingray – "Milkumana" Gurrumul2023 Budjerah Thelma Plum – Meanjin King Stingray – "Let's Go" Yothu Yindi2024 Barkaa Dan Sultan – Dan Sultan 3% – "Our People" Sammy Butcher2025Emily WurramaraBarkaa – Big TiddaAndrew Gurruwiwi Band – "Once Upon a Time"Jessica Mauboy
See also Deadly Awards (1995–2013) National Dreamtime Awards (2017–) Stompen Ground List of Australian Aboriginal musicians
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