Kukutja Pintupi artist ICONYX has won NAIDOC Perth Artist of the Year, recognising years spent building a music career centred on culture, storytelling and giving people a voice.

The young musician was recognised by her community for work shaped by the experiences of people who may not always feel able to speak for themselves.

The win was still sinking in after her name was announced.

Her first thought was excitement, followed by the realisation she had to return to the stage in a long dress.

"It feels good, but I haven't really processed it yet," ICONYX said.

Being recognised by her own community gave the award deeper meaning.

It showed she had achieved what she set out to do through music.

For ICONYX, songwriting began early. At about 10 or 11, she wrote her first solo song after the end of a friendship, turning the experience into a starting point for her music.

That early connection has grown into work about culture, identity and the stories of others.

Through her songs, ICONYX hopes to help share experiences people may feel too ashamed or scared to speak about, while making sure she does not take over their words.

Culture remains central to that work. It sits underneath her music as both a message and theme, shaping how she writes and performs.

Her debut single, "Blak on Track", has connected with audiences across Australia.

Part of that response may come from people feeling heard through the song.

The music industry has not always been easy to navigate, with accessibility among the challenges.

Support from people around ICONXY has helped her continue.

Seeing First Nations artists succeed has also helped show what is possible.

Baker Boy, BARKAA and Briggs were among the artists ICONYX named as examples for young Aboriginal people looking to see themselves in creative spaces.

Representation mattered because it showed young people they were not limited by stereotypes or other people's expectations.

For ICONYX, those examples can help young people choose their own path.

"It shows them that they can actually break out of the box that people have put them in and do what they want to do," she said.

ICONYX hopes Aboriginal young people can see there are many paths open to them, whether through school, a trade, music or another career.

ICONYX's award comes ahead of a trip to Timor for a festival, along with hopes to build collaborations with major artists.

Fame is not necessarily the goal as ICONYX said she wanted people in the Aboriginal community to know her name and remember her music.

Her message to young people with a dream was direct.

"Start anyway... Just do it. You'll overthink it if you don't just jump and do it," she said.