I think of all the elements of my heritage, I take most pride in is our resilience and strength. To come through the other side with a strong rich culture and identity. I take most pride in that and it influences my work. I guess life has its ups and downs and especially in stand-up comedy, it's not always consistent, but you have to keep pushing through it. The outcomes are always great. So I definitely think of resilience and strength from my people.

It's hard to pick one, but to be able to be a part of this, the stand-up comedy world, especially in Australia, and then have the networks that I have and the opportunities. Every opportunity I get to perform is a proud moment for me and I definitely have a lot of highlights. For example, going on tour and working with Aboriginal Comedy Allstars like Sean, Kevin and Andy who are people I admired as role models, and now my close mentors. I guess just being able to be part of the stand-up comedy world and part of the amazing First Nations comedy movement and also as a producer. Having the opportunity to work with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and being assistant for the Aboriginal Comedy Allstars are both proud moments.

The great thing about working in the First Nations comedy scene is we are all Mob and we take our values and law from the community and bring the traditional ways through to our little community in the comedy world. There's no hierarchy and we're all equal. We all want to help each other and every little bit of information and knowledge we want to share and pass on. I think that's the best thing and gives everyone the space to develop and grow, which makes it feel like home, especially as we all come from different parts of Australia. 

What piece of wisdom from an elder do you carry with you in your work and life?

It's funny you ask this because I just watched something on David Bindi Hudson, who's one of the creators of Tjapukai and Cairns Cultural Tourism. One of the things with obstacles and amongst all the things that happen, you've got to stay true to who you are and your identity and not try to get pushed off your path. I think staying true to who you are, your values and your culture and not giving in to the outside noise. You're going to get a little bit of doubt and then think about giving up on your low days and think to yourself, do I really want to do this?

I think staying true to who you are, your values and your culture. That's probably one of the best pieces of wisdom. You have to look at where you are and you’re a lot further just from that one step and take a look back every once in a while and then you feel like people either want to know more about who you are and where you come from. There are people that try to shake you down – they don't even matter because you've developed and built this style and you’re growing over time. Keep that fire alive in yourself and just keep pushing on.

I think for myself referring to the mentors I’ve had along the way such as Tom Dickins and Libby Lynch from Melbourne Comedy Festival. These are non-Indigenous producers, but what they've done by using their platform and resources to create workshops to develop First Nation artists to have access to that insight and opportunities to develop themselves.

When opportunities do arise you are qualified and equipped to take on these roles in these professional spaces, so we can have First Nations producers and the opportunity to take on roles in these spaces. We want First Nations people to have a voice and be heard at these tables, but sometimes they don't actually have the skillset yet. In order to do this it’s about developing these voices, to be able to speak at these stages and tables – which I think they've done really well. When having First Nations people in these spaces, they can help create and collaborate with the wider community to understand what First Nation artists or First Nation communities need to reach these end goals and objectives that we need to get on top of.

For example Aboriginal Comedy Allstars producer, Wes Snelling has collaborated with Kevin, Andy and Sean to develop Allstars to what it is, and now they sort of open it up for someone like myself to come through with my perspective. I'm not only a producer but a First Nations Producer too. So that's another example of what can be done to amplify my voice as an Aboriginal artist.

What message or inspiration would you like to pass on to emerging Aboriginal artists?  

Just give it a go and just do it! I mean, as a comedian and doing stand up comedy, you just go to do it, whether it’s good or bad. Put your foot in the door. The thing about Mob is if you know someone that you look up to, reach out to them and they'll most likely take you under their wing. 

I've been lucky with the amount of people that have taken me under their wing. I started out with Leon Filewood and then Steph Tisdell who is one of the biggest Australian comedians in the world and she was my mentor and still is my mentor. You have to give it a go and reach out to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and they'll be willing to hopefully give you a bit of mentorship. I think that's probably just the best advice I could give. 

Being true to yourself because, in a weird way, life is short and if you get caught up doing something that you don't want to do and realise I could be spending my time developing myself and my craft. 

Unfortunately for First Nations people, our lives are a lot shorter; not to be disrespectful in any way, but we've got a lot of things going on and you'd be surprised, but by being true to yourself can impact others. It's just a ripple effect across communities and families. If you give people belief and confidence then they'll do the right thing too. Sometimes you have to be your own inspiration.

How does the "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud" theme resonate with your personal and professional journey?

This year's theme definitely resonates with me and my professional journey. Sometimes the majority of First Nations, stand-up comedians, we start out with performing in black spaces and when we cross over into mainstream, we think “should I change some of my jokes or should I limit myself to be more palatable for mainstream?” 

Sometimes when you have a community that you're part of and you look at your old people and they've never stood down, they just turned it up and you've got to be unapologetic. 

You've got to be truthful and that's actually what resonates more with audiences. Whether you are black or white, people want to hear your stories. Being Black, Loud and Proud about your truth and keeping it moving for the next generation. I'm proud to be  part of it and to stand up for our First Nations stand-up comedy movement in Australia that's happening right now.

What role do you believe the arts play in the cultural and political conversations about Indigenous issues?

It's massive in the arts and it plays a massive role in cultural and political conversations about Indigenous issues, especially in stand-up. My brother Leon Filewood says: “You can take these hard truths and wrap it up in humour to make it more easy to digest for some people that are willing to listen and they're just needing a comfortable space to hear these yarns and hear our perspective and our truth.”

Stand-up comedy is one of the great tools. I mean, art in all forms, but stand-up comedy is a great tool to flip a mirror on society to get a good look at what's going on and especially for us Mob to tell our stories with what's going on with the community even if it's just like a few people at a time. At least it's getting out there and we can get it off our chest and keep the yarns going for the wider community. It's a massive, massive part. 

Some people are so clever at putting the truth out about political stories on stage and some people we talk to offstage like audiences members, come up to us, telling us they had a great night and sometimes say they feel shameful about some of the things we’ve said and wish things would be better for all of us all together. 

People also see the name of Aboriginal Comedy Allstars or First Nation comedy show and feel a bit off put by that because they feel uncomfortable and scared that it might be just a run down show of non-Indigenous peoples but it's more of a tongue in cheek sort of place and it's an environment that we might say things, but it's also an environment that we want everyone to feel who we are and how we envision Australia with all of us getting along.

People have these stereotypes and preconceived ideas, which is why they come to a show and it’s nothing like what they originally thought or heard. It's a great way for us to break down barriers and bring all communities together from all different backgrounds. It's a great sight to see and It's really fulfilling.