Kankawa Nagarra

Kankawa Nagarra is a Walmatjarri Elder, teacher and mentor, human rights advocate, and a passionate environmental activist. She was born in the traditional lands of the Gooniyandi and Walmatjarri peoples of northwestern Australia. Kankawa spent her childhood listening to the tribal songs at cultural ceremonies, and when she was taken from her family to the mission she was taught hymns and Gospel songs with the choir. But it wasn’t until many years later her musical journey truly began when she discovered the Blues, and it awakened something in her. Through it she found a medium to express all her thoughts and feelings and it inspired her to turn these into songs.  

 In July 2023 her friend Darren Hanlon travelled to Wangkatjungka to record a collection of her songs on Country that has now become her first vinyl LP. Kankawa chose specific locations that held meaning to her and the songs she chose to sing. The centrepiece title track song ‘Wirlmarni’, which means ‘disappearing’, is a plaintive duet between Kankawa and Archer and laments the passing of the great tribal men that she remembers fondly.  

 The album was picked up by the judges of the prestigious AMP (Australian Music Prize) awards. It went on to win which thrust Kankawa into the national and international spotlight.