This January 26, Powerhouse and Indigenous social enterprise We Are Warriors (WAW), in partnership with creative innovation agency R/GA, are once again flipping the script on Australia Day. Marking the fifth birthday of We Are Warriors, the annual Blak Powerhouse event returns to Manning House, at the University of Sydney, to transform a difficult day into a day of power, pride, and positivity.
The free, all-ages event will showcase a night of Blak pride and joy with a lineup of First Nations artists taking to the stage. ARIA award winners BAARKA and rap collective 3% will headline the night and be joined by rapper Ziggy Ramo, R&B soul vocalist Mi-Kaisha and hip-hop rap duo Birdz & Fred Leone.
The inclusive celebration will also include dance performances, panel discussions, weaving workshops, art installations, First Nations market stalls and more.
Creative innovation company R/GA is supporting Blak Powerhouse for its fourth year by developing the 2026 visual identity alongside We Are Warriors founder, Nooky, and under the guidance of Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa artist Matthew “Melnunnie” Brettschneider. The design, spanning posters, signage, and social media, are rooted in the ancestral visual language of Brettschneider’s Country and are built upon a specific curvature derived from symbols representing a person sitting and a collective gathering.
The use of these symbols holds significant meaning within his cultural community, but also with First Nations people across the Country. This inspired a redesign of the “Welcome” wordmark to emulate a wry smile. This mark is intentionally layered with meaning: to some, it is a gesture of invitation; to others, it is a knowing signifier of survival, resistance, and a refusal to be co-opted.
“This narrative extended beyond the screen and into the physical space,” said Ben Miles, chief design officer APAC at R/GA and co-founder of We Are Warriors. “Through the curation of immersive zones like ‘Nooky’s Backyard’ and the ‘Aretha Brown Tattoo Parlour Zone’, we’ve used positive placards and flags to ensure the ’Welcome’ is something attendees truly feel and experience throughout the venue.”
The design functions as a visual manifestation of a safe passage, a concept deeply rooted in First Nations culture. It reflects the duality of the day: a fierce protection of Blak culture and a celebration of community.
This year’s theme centres on Welcome, a concept that moves past some recent negativity and public misconceptions to return to the heart of what Country truly means.
“This is a Welcome. It’s spiritual, it’s protective, and it’s about safe passage into a space of truth and strength,” added Nooky, founder of We Are Warriors. “‘Welcome to Country’ has been misinterpreted, tokenised, or misread as a ‘Welcome to Australia.’ But Country doesn’t mean Australia. Country means your land, your mob, your spirit, and your ancestors. It is a connection
and a responsibility that is not yours to take, and no matter how polarised the world becomes it is not yours to discuss.
“There’s a duality here. It’s Mob first. We have passed through each other’s lands with respect for thousands of years, and we are inviting everyone to gather and share in that on our terms. On the other side, it’s a line in the sand: a refusal to let our culture, ceremony, or stories be erased.”
The space will feel fierce, optimistic, and unapologetically Blak. From 6:00 PM, the yard party atmosphere will feature slushies, workshops, and positive energy out back. A dedicated Birthday Room will celebrate five years of We Are Warriors through Power, Pride, and Positivity, featuring:
- Robert Hookey: A live photography exhibition featuring family and friends.
- Aretha Brown will showcase a bespoke, fierce new artwork created specifically for the space alongside an interactive tattoo parlour experience.
- Matthew Brettschneider: A positive placards workshop within the backyard.
The event will be hosted by Nooky and Indigenous Australian DJ and multidisciplinary artist, Soju Gang, beginning with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony led by Gadigal, Dharawal, Yuin, and Wiradjuri woman, Aunty Nadeena Dixon.
“Blak Powerhouse continues to be shaped by community, led by First Nations Voices and grounded in deep cultural practice. We are honoured to partner with We Are Warriors to present this extraordinary event that celebrates the strength and beauty of First Nations culture in Sydney,” said Powerhouse chief executive, Lisa Havilah.
