We Are Warriors shares the burning truth

Today is Invasion Day – also known as Australia Day. A polarising date in the country’s calendar, it ‘commemorates’ the landing of the British first fleet of convicts at Sydney Cove in 1788. 

The debut screening of this powerful documentary, which was created by RG/A Sydney and Melbourne, directed by Gabriel Gasparinatos and produced by Garuwa and Entropico, took place today at The House of Blak Power in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. 

It opens with the sobering fact that while only six per cent of Australia's youth are First Nations, they account for 49 per cent of those in juvenile detention. 

Featuring producer and radio host Nooky, an Aboriginal artist from the Yuin Nation of New South Wales, it showcases the stories of indigenous role models, celebrating their achievements across music, fashion, sport and beyond. 

Nooky says of the film: “This is a piece of art that tells the story of a new age movement informed by a story as old as time, our black cockatoo story, which is significant to my birthplace Nowra. The story of the black cockatoo is a white cockatoo who sacrificed himself by flying through fire in order to help people. Carrying the lessons and scars, which changed his coat from white to black, he is now a symbol of hope and selflessness.”