‘Together’: One deadly design

For Alkina Edwards, the 2025 First Nations Tournament artwork is more than just a design, it’s a reflection of her journey.  

The proud Yorta Yorta woman has woven her story into a piece that honours her people, her passion and the power of coming together. 

“The meaning was going to be important,” Edwards said. 

“Not just for Indigenous people to be able to understand and connect with but for non-Indigenous people to also feel proud of it and get a bit of education around it. 

"That's really important, we want to be able to embrace our culture with everybody.”  

She titled the artwork ‘Yapenyepuka’ which means ‘Together’ in Yorta Yorta language. 

"I've created a gathering circle to represent all the different people within our communities coming together to share our rich culture and to celebrate who we are as a nation,” she said. 

“The middle symbol represents a journey to represent the Indigenous people and the journey we take throughout our lives and having more of an understanding of each other, being educated and more aware of the importance of embracing our culture.”  

Edwards was also purposeful in her colour choices. 
 
‘”I wanted to use colours that were calm and soothing,” she said. 

“That's who we are as Indigenous people, we're nurturers, caregivers and healers. 

“I wanted that represented within the creation.”  

The artist wants the piece connects with everyone who sees it.  

“I hope when people look at it, they get an understanding of what it is, a gathering,” she said. 

“It's a celebration and a time for us all to connect with one another.” 

More than that, she hopes the artwork inspires. 

“I'm a very shy person, this space has given me a lot of confidence, it’s empowered me to do other big opportunities,” she said. 

"I hope when other athletes and people within our communities see this, they feel empowered and strong about who they are, where they've come from and where they can be.” 

Taking on new opportunities has empowered Edwards to feel more confident as an artist and a First Nations woman. 

“Being an artist is my superpower,” she said. 

“It gives me strength; it is a part of who I am and every day I'm trying to embrace that more.” 
 
Designing the artwork for Netball Australia’s First Nations Tournament means a lot to Edwards. 

She’s experienced the joy of competing in Indigenous carnivals first-hand growing up in Echuca.  

“I remember playing in my first Indigenous carnival and I absolutely loved it,” she said. 

“I loved the atmosphere, I loved people coming from all different places, connecting with each other and seeing the talent. 

"It was really exciting for me to be around my mob, my sister girls, seeing other mob who we probably hadn't seen for a long time and to be able to play against them and have a laugh. 

“My family we're very competitive when it comes to sport, so it was always exciting to be able to go to carnivals and play against other talented Indigenous people and know it was going to be deadly.” 

Edwards confessed she feels like there’s a bit of her younger self in her artwork for the First Nations Tournament. 

“It's a reflection of the journey I've been on as an Indigenous person, woman and a lover of netball,” she said. 

“This is such a statement for other Indigenous people and myself knowing this is going to be a really big movement and it's going to empower a lot of us to have that opportunity to embrace who we are and share that with everybody else. 

“When I was asked to be a part of this, I felt deadly.” 

Recalling what it was like to grow up as a First Nations woman playing netball, Edwards touched on the importance of the First Nations Tournament. 

"It means everything to me, growing up I didn't really see a lot of these opportunities,” she said. 

“Being in a position where I can have an input and be a part of new changes for Indigenous people is really empowering. 

“I’m excited for what the future holds because I know it's going to be bigger and better.” 

With her experiences in the sport, Edwards didn’t have a hard time designing the piece. 

“It was quite easy for me to depict what I wanted represented,” she said. 

“It was coming together, celebrating, laughing, being a unit and being a team. 

“It was easy to reflect that within the design, the coming together, embracing our culture, sharing our knowledge and our connections with one another.” 

She was thrilled to hear the tournament would be returning this year and has become a regular part of the calendar like Suncorp Super Netball’s First Nations Rounds. 

“It's deadly, I love it,” she said. 

“I look forward to it every year.  

“I wish there was more time to celebrate Australia's oldest living culture in the world.” 

Edwards first caught the eye of Netball Australia a few years ago. 

“After the Australia versus England game, I created a design that captured the moment where Donnell Wallam shot the winning goal,” she said. 

"They saw it, then they contacted me and asked if I wanted to be the first Indigenous artist to create a design for their Australian Diamonds dress and I was really excited to take on that opportunity.” 

Her artwork Ganurra meaning ‘blaze’ made history when it was worn by the Origin Diamonds at the 2023 Netball World Cup. 

The artwork still features across the Diamonds uniforms today and is now also Diamonds branded netballs sold across the country. 

“It's been really exciting to see,” she said. 

“I never thought growing up I would be someone to get these opportunities and to now be a role model within my own community where the younger generation can inspire to be like me, it's really empowering for myself and for the nations I come from.” 

Edwards has been exploring Indigenous art since she was young. 

“I learned from my mother and father's side,” she said. 

“Coming from a lot of different cultural connections, I'm able to do a lot of different styles and can explain different storylines.  

“I started when I was a little kid painting with my mother and then I stepped into sketch work and recently I've started getting into digital art.”  

The world of art is a safe space for Edwards. 

“I'm comfortable because it's who I am,” she said. 

“It's a part of my identity and feels right. 

“When I create I do it wherever, I could be at my family's house, I could be in the bush, or I could be at home. 

“I create whenever and wherever my mind goes is where I start.”