Broadcaster and sports media champion Wayne Coolwell says the recognition of Indigenous excellence in sports by their own community is a "natural fit" and "desperately" needed.
Mr Coolwell's comments come as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards return in November after a 20 year hiatus.
Between 1986 and 2003, the awards ran every two years.
Indigenous Sports Network event manager and Essendon great Nathan Lovett-Murray told National Indigenous Times the return is "long overdue".
Conversations rose between Lovett-Murray and Coolwell at April's 30 year anniversary of Nicky Winmar's stance against racism at Victoria Park in Melbourne.
Professional athletes, juniors, volunteers and organisations from the elite to grassroots level are all set to be recognised.
Two new categories are due to arrive; for trailblazers and lifetime achievement.
A quick canvass of finalists for sportsperson of the year says everything.
Australian Diamonds star Donnell Wallam, NBA champion Patty Mills, reigning Dally M medallist Tamika Upton and duel Ashes heroes Ashleigh Gardner and Scott Boland are all up for the award.
Coolwell, director of the National Indigenous Sports Foundation, sees the awards as a "natural thing to have" with "good timing" with reference to October's referendum and the impact it had.
"I just think if you have First Nations people, empowering First Nations athletes - it's their night, strength to them. It's so important," he told National Indigenous Times.
In a statement, Coolwell said "sport is absolutely central to the spiritual, social, cultural and physical well being of First Nations people".
The judging panel includes Olympian Kyle Vander-Kuyp, former NRL player and Parramatta NRLW coach Dean Widders, 150-game Melbourne Demon Neville Jetta, Wallabies icon Mark Ella and Aboriginal and South Sea Islander woman and disability advocate Jody Barney, among others.
Shelley Ware hosts the night with guest speaker Eddie Betts.
13 awards will be handed out.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sport Awards will take place at the MCG on Saturday November 11.
