Proud Yuin rapper Corey Webster, known under his moniker Nooky, has launched an online platform to empower Indigenous youth by connecting them with First Nations role models.
Hailing from Nowra on the NSW South Coast, Nooky launched We Are Warriors to equip Indigenous kids with tools to succeed in a range of fields including music, fashion and sport in an accessible online platform.
Nooky said there has already been an "overwhelming" response after launching it on Survival Day, January 26.
"There's been a massive positive response," he said. "I've been getting heaps of people messaging saying they've been looking for something like this and now it exists."
"After experiencing racism as a kid, my Mum spoke to me three of the most powerful words I have ever heard - we are warriors," he said.
"It instilled a fire inside of me, a sense of pride and this unimaginable desire to be successful and show the world that we are warriors.
It was important to launch the platform on January 26, Nooky said, as he wanted to "breathe a new life" into a day that carries negativity and trauma for Indigenous Australians.
"There was no better day to launch it," he said. "There's a lot of negativity and traumatic events that surround that date."
"We wanted to give life to this day and do something positive while still acknowledging the past.
"Part of the reason we're an online platform is we wanted people to have constant access to the role models so you can hear their stories and struggles 24/7.
"Maybe you want to reflect on days like January 26 so you can go online and watch their stories and see people that have experienced the same things and have come on top."
Six Indigenous ambassadors, including Nooky, spearheaded the launch: photographer Luke Currie-Richardson (Bala Luke), rapper BARKAA, model Charlee Fraser, drag queen Felicia Foxx and artist Kobie Dee.
Visit We Are Warriors here: https://www.wearewarriors.com.au/
Grace Crivellaro
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
