The 23rd National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAS) took place on 8 August 2026. Nominations were announced on 10 July 2026 during NAIDOC Week.
Performers Performers at the event included: Baker Boy Big Noter Bumpy Casii Williams Electric Fields Stiff Gins Zipporah
Hall of Fame inductee Marlene Cummins, a Guguyelandji and Woppaburra woman and a leading Indigenous female blues voice, broadcaster, activist, dancer and actress. Saltwater Band, a reggae and ska-influenced pop group that sung mostly in Yolŋu languages. They were nominated for APRA Awards, ARIA Music Awards and won three National Indigenous Music Awards.
Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Winner TooLa
Awards The nominations were revealed on 10 July 2026. Winners indicated in boldface, with other nominees in plain.
Artist of the Year ArtistResult 3% Baker Boy Birdz and Fred Leone Bumpy Jem Cassar-Daley Miss Kaninna South Summit
Best New Talent of the Year ArtistResult Drifting Clouds Inkabee Jet Cameron Say True God Voices of Resistance Zipporah
Album of the Year Artist and albumResult Baker Boy - Djandjay Birdz & Fred Leone – Gira Say True God? – Blak Emma Donovan – Take Me to the River Stiff Gins – Crossroads Trials – Hendle
Film Clip of the Year Artist and songResult 3% – "Our Greats" Baker Boy (featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'Ahn & Jada Weazel) – "Thick Skin" Birdz & Fred Leone – "Wanya Nyin Yanmanj" Drifting Clouds – "Bawuypawuy" Kobie Dee – "Aim for the Stars" South Summit – "Top of the Hill"
Song of the Year Artist and songResult Baker Boy (featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'Ahn & Jada Weazel) – "Thick Skin" Birdz & Fred Leone – "Wanya Nyin Yanmanj" Drifting Clouds – "Bawupawuy" Jem Cassar-Daley – "Front Left Pocket" Yung Maynie - "Always Was" Zipporah - "Some Typa Way"
Community Clip of the Year Artist and songResult Bulman School & Community – "Lok Los Mah Burarr (Lizard & Goanna)" Geraldton - "(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"
References