Indigenous dance company Bangarra has been recognised on a global stage, scooping one of the art world's most prestigious prizes.
The Golden Lion for Lifetime achievement, awarded by the Venice Biennale, is reserved for luminaries of the cultural scene; past winners include Martin Scorsese, Malick Sidibé and Demas Nwoko.
On Friday it was announced that Bangarra had become the first Australian company to be awarded the Golden Lion for dance.
Frances Rings, artistic director and co-CEO of Bangarra, said it was a "momentous" occasion.
"We're feeling pretty overwhelmed over here at Bangarra," the Mirning woman told NITV.
"It's 65,000 years of storytelling and First Nations history and culture and experiences that we've had the privilege ... to use our platform as a dance company to take to the stage."
The award has been a tightly guarded secret since Ms Rings and Stephen Page, a former artistic director of decades and founding influence on Bangarra, were informed of the honour last year.
Ms Rings said artistic director of the Venice Biennale's dance department, Sir Wayne McGregor, asked the pair for a private and confidential phone call in December.
"In my mind, I'm thinking Stephen's going to be knighted!" said Ms Rings.
"But it wasn't that ... he was letting us know that he had nominated us for the Golden Lion lifetime achievement in dance, and that we had, in fact, received it.
"I was in a bit of disbelief. I didn't hear the bit that we had received the award ... I was talking to our programming director, and I said, 'Phoebe, it's really great to be nominated.'
"She said, 'No, you won it!'"
Founded in 1989 by Uncle Rob Bryant, Cheryl Stone, Carole Johnson and graduates from NAISDA, the national Indigenous dance academy, the company was also greatly influenced by Page and his brothers, David and Russell.
Ms Rings said the lifetime achievement award inevitably sparked memories of the company's illustrious history.
"It's difficult not to. For First Nations people, our past informs our future.
"When we go back and give voice to our Elders and we share their stories, we're not only healing them, but we're healing ourselves, and we're healing a nation."
The Venice Biennale, held in Italy's famed and historic city, is an annual exhibition considered a highlight of the cultural calendar.
Bangarra will be performing Rings' work Terrain, first composed in 2012, at this year's Venice Danza, the Biennale's dance festival held in July.
The work deals with the ongoing effects of colonisation on First Nations peoples. Ms Rings said the company's recognition on a global stage comes at a significant time.
"It's also humbling to know that the work that we're doing is being recognised and acknowledged overseas," she said.
"It resonates especially in this global time of turmoil and instability ... it's a troubling time.
"So I think for a First Nations company to be the recipient for this award ... We're humbled, and we're honoured, but also just so proud."
