Kristal West takes great pride in her family storylines from the Piadram, Manbarra, Palawa, and Nywagi communities.
Set to perform at the Perth International Cabaret Festival, Ms West's latest performance is a tribute to her grandparents, Dr Eddie Koiki Mabo, who played a pivotal role in overturning the legal doctrine of terra nullius, and, Dr Bonita Mabo AO, who was a dedicated advocate for Black rights.
As their granddaughter, she honours their memory by singing about their struggle and their commitment to preserving language, culture and identity.
"All the songs that I sing about are about culture and identity and these are the stories that are passed down to me from my mum, aunties, uncles and grandmother," she told National Indigenous Times.
"There all stories about my grandfather, his fight for land rights, how it impacted the family and going through the process of the claim.
"And the cultural knowledge that was handed down to me as well and the importance that plays in my life as a first nation woman."
Through her songs and narratives, she delves into the emotional ties of family and community, sharing intimate reflections on her familial ties to Mer Island in the Torres Strait.
For Ms West, the songs offer a fresh outlook on her grandparents from her own point of view, especially her grandfather who died when she was a young child.
"I guess the world the world or Australia saw Eddie Mabo as a land rights activist which is who he is and what he achieved but for me he's my grandfather," she said.
"So I think I capture that part of my relationship with him and how I see him as my grandfather, it's a personal story."
Ms West expresses her stories through music by writing and singing in Meriam Mir and Torres Strait Island Creole, in addition to English.
"It such a big part of me," she said.
"I think it's important these languages are showcased and heard and I'm also representing myself."
Her grandparents continue to impact her life by inspiring her to remember who she is and where she comes from, and to be proud of being a Black person in this country.
"They just remind me to keep going and to remember who I am as a black woman…regardless of how society perceives it," said Ms West.
In April, Ms West was announced as the winner of the prestigious Dennis Mop Conlon Scholarship via QMUSIC, with the $15,000 prize money going towards a special music project dedicated to her grandparents.
