It is rare for children and youth in remote communities to stand shoulder to shoulder with iconic rap artists, but the 2026 Next Gen Festival in Western Australia's Newman region, 1100km north of Perth, did that and more.

Celebrated Indigenous musicians led by top Australian rapper BARKAA were at the festival to produce powerful truth-telling tracks as part of a special collective that included Grand Trine Creative artists - including Nooky, Dallas Woods, Soju Gang, Fred Leone - who recorded tracks with local children and youths from Newman and Jigalong alongside the 31-year-old.

Malyangapa and Barkindji musician BAARKA is one of the country's most renowned female rappers, while the Grand Trine collective is an Indigenous-focused music and media production that collaborates with Aboriginal communities, schools and prominent Indigenous musicians to create hip-hop projects and music videos that empower communities and kids.

Wyndham-born rapper and singer Dallas Woods is known for his role on ABC Kids' Move It Mob Style and has toured with the likes of Baker Boy.

The multi-day festival was held by the Newman Women's Shelter and the unforgettable musical experience for young Newman people came about through the Y WA's Education Engagement Attainment Initiative (EEAI).

The result was a powerful new single All My Mob Are With Me, which features BARKAA, Woods and Grand Trine artists with kids and youths from Newman and Jigalong.

Workshops, music production sessions and other community events with a First Nations culture and creativity focus were part of NAIDOC Week 2026 celebrations.

But the keynote of the festival without a doubt was BARKAA and her recording crew of writers, musicians and production, who worked with kids and young people from the local area to compose lyrics, record original music and film a professional video for their new song.

The Y WA's EEAI program, known locally as the Pakala Jijikaja Yankuni-la!, strengthens school engagement, wellbeing and positive connections for Aboriginal children and young people in their community and was a proud sponsor of the festival.

Pakala Jijikaja Yankuni-la! coordinator Sammi Ryder said Y WA staff transported young people throughout the week to the festival to ensure they made the most of opportunities on offer.

"To see our young people standing alongside someone like BARKAA, sharing their stories through music and being proud of who they are, was incredibly special," said Ms Ryder, of the Whadjak, Yued, Ballardong, Gnaala Karla Boodja and Wagyl Kaip Noongar nations with Jaru connections.

"They had a blast writing, recording and filming the music video."

The real impact went beyond the music.

"The experience gave them confidence, made them feel heard and showed them that their voices and their stories matter," Ms Ryder said.

"The song itself speaks about Country, culture and the importance of our Elders, and those messages are something we want our young people to carry with them every day."

Ms Ryder said such unique opportunities strengthen connection to who young Indigenous people are, where they come from and what's possible for their future.

"We're grateful to Newman Women's Shelter for creating this opportunity and to BARKAA for taking the time to genuinely connect with our young people," she said.

"These are memories they'll carry with them for a lifetime."

The completed music video premiered during the festival and highlighted the creativity, confidence and pride of those involved.

Newman Women's Shelter youth services coordinator Kaya McCarthy said the festival brought young people together who would not normally socialise with each other.

"At the beginning of the week, some were unsure and uncomfortable around one another, but by Thursday they had formed genuine friendships," Ms McCarthy said.

"Watching them celebrate and cheer for each other after the first screening of their music video was incredibly special.

"It showed how quickly creativity, culture and a shared experience can build confidence, belonging and connection."