'Arawarra' will take to the stage at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from 26-28 March, bringing a long-silenced story from the NSW South Coast back into public view.

Created by Gammea-Dharawal man and Dharawal language teacher Jake Māra alongside director Lincoln Smith, the production centres on Arawarra, a Yuin leader whose story was overshadowed by colonial figure Alexander Berry.

Berry was granted 10,000 acres of Yuin land in 1822 and later had a township named after him, but research has uncovered evidence he traded in Aboriginal human remains, including the skull of Yuin leader Arrawarra, believed to have been sent to Britain in 1827.

For Mr Māra, bringing this story to the stage is grounded in responsibility.

"For me, it feels like responsibility," Mr Māra said.

"I was told this story growing up and what it done for me helped me shape the man I am today.

"I wanted to tell this story to as many people so they can learn from it, but also feel like I owe it to Arawarra to get his name out there, to get his story out there and hopefully to bring him home."

The production draws on the understanding that history holds more than one perspective.

"One of the big things is that truth and history can have multiple perspectives," Mr Māra said.

"For too long, only one side of the story has been told and outside of the story has been hidden away or even buried.

"It's time for our people to step up and tell our side of the story."

Arawarra is presented not only as a resistance leader, but as a man whose humanity connects across cultures.

Mr Māra described the broader meaning behind the figure at the centre of the work.

"Arawarra wasn't just a freedom fighter and a resistance leader and a warrior," he said.

"He was a father. He was a son. He was a pop and grandson. Things that are universal.

"You don't have to be Aboriginal, but you can still connect, look up to and respect Arawarra."

The show does not shy away from discomfort as Mr Māra acknowledged the response may be divided.

"I think half will love it and half will be a bit shocked, but that's good," Mr Māra said.

"I really want to challenge people in this and not just white fathers, I want to challenge Australia, blackfullas as well, to how do we move forward.

"We need to be the ones speaking for ourselves, driving our own car instead of being passengers."

Set on the very Country transformed by colonisation more than 200 years ago, 'Arawarra' asks audiences to reckon with the past while considering what justice and truth-telling mean today.

Tickets for 'Arawarra' are available via the Merrigong website.