In 2001, Yamatji and Noongar politician Carol Martin became the first Indigenous woman to be elected to any parliament in Australia.

More than 20 years later and Ms Martin's dedication to the community and her two-decade political career has been honoured with an Order of Australia Medal.

Ms Martin said it was an honour to receive an OAM.

"I think it's one of the biggest recognitions I could have possibly gotten for my work in the Kimberley and beyond," she said.

"It's pretty amazing because when you think about it, I started my journey as a ward of the state and then I became a State MP. There's a lot that happens in between."

Ms Martin was elected Member for Kimberley as a Labor candidate in the 2001 WA election.

After three full terms, she retired from politics in 2013.

Now a painter and spending time at home with her family, Ms Martin is still passionate about her community.

She remembers arriving in the Kimberley after running away from home and finding a community which helped her feel safe.

"That community protected me and looked after me," she said.

"I got work out there and it helped shape me as an adult.

"When you think about it, my becoming the voice for the region through parliament was a bit of payback for me receiving the care the care I get from so many poeple in the Kimberley community."

Ms Martin is still as vocal as she was in parliament all those years ago.

On the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum, Martin said she is a "yes girl".

Ms Martin also stressed the importance of Treaty and Truth.

"I believe in the 'yes' campaign and I believe in the Voice," she said.

"I believe if we have the Voice we can talk about the truth of the history of what happened to us and the stealing of our humanity.

"That's my view... you need a Voice and then truth and treaty... you need them all."

Following her OAM, Ms Martin has been inspired to continue painting in her spare time.

She hopes to hold an exhibition soon and express how she feels about this honour through art.