Key Points
- Emily Wurramara was born and raised on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, and her family moved to Brisbane when she was six.
- Growing up, she experienced challenging times when some members of the Filipino community struggled to accept her Filipino heritage.
- Despite the challenges, the now Tasmania-based singer-songwriter proudly embraces her identity as both Aboriginal Australian and Filipino — two cultures that she says shape who she is and inspire her music.
Now based in Tasmania, the singer-songwriter reflects on both the cherished memories of her childhood and the challenges she faced growing up as an Aboriginal and Filipino Australian.
Many people found it hard to believe that I was also Filipino. In high school, I’d even bring my dad to show them — he’s from La Carlota, Negros Occidental. Growing up, that was tough, but as I got older, I learned to fully embrace who I am — an Aboriginal Filipino woman living between two worlds. It can be challenging, but I’m proud of my heritage.Emily Wurramara, a proud Anindilyakwa-Filipino Visayan woman
For Emily, music is culturally from both traditions and from the cultures of both her Aboriginal Ausralian and Filipino parents, and plays such a huge part for her indigenous people who have been practising music for generations and, it's in the environment. Credit: Tony Mott
📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
🔊 On Air – Tune in to SBS Filipino on radio stations across Australia and website live stream, and TV Channel 302 from 10 AM to 11 AM AEST daily.
📲 Catch up episodes and stories – Visit sbs.com.au/filipino or stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube Podcasts, and SBS Audio app.
