Award-winning artist Theia to attend the 25th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Award-winning singer and songwriter Em-Haley Kukutai Walker (Waikato, Ngaati Tiipaa) – who releases music and performs under the stage names Theia and TE KAAHU – will represent her people and Aotearoa at the 25th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (April 20 to May 1).
While in New York she will also attend and speak at several other UN-affiliated gatherings, including The Indigenous Peoples Global Caucus (April 19-20), which this year focuses on implementing the UN’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the historic Second Global Summit on Indigenous Peacebuilding (April 25-26) where Em will present research from Aotearoa and an article she has written about traditional Māori Peacebuilding Practices centering women, which will be published in a book on Indigenous Peacebuilding.
The news comes on the back of a packed few months for Em, who released her debut Theia album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD in November 2025. This Thursday, March 5 she will play the final show of her Aotearoa Tour, before heading to the UN and then on to Canada where she will perform and run workshops at several festivals. Em will juggle her work at the UN with her North American touring commitments and a return to study.
The news comes on the back of a packed few months for Em, who released her debut Theia album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD in November 2025. This Thursday, March 5 she will play the final show of her Aotearoa Tour, before heading to the UN and then on to Canada where she will perform and run workshops at several festivals. Em will juggle her work at the UN with her North American touring commitments and a return to study.
Em’s involvement in the forum and all UN-affiliated gatherings in New York is supported by the Indigenous Youth Storytellers Circle - an official project of the 2019 UN’s International Year of Indigenous Languages, for which she is the Ambassador for Oceania. She is also one of seven grantees – each representing the seven socio-cultural regions recognised by the UN – selected from more than 2000 applicants worldwide to receive a grant from the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. The grant aims to help representatives of Indigenous communities to participate in UN processes most relevant to Indigenous issues. Grants are issued based on fixed criteria and reviewed by the Board of Trustees through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who also serves as the Secretariat of the Fund.
This fund will cover the costs of Em’s travel and a small daily allowance for part of her time in New York. However, she still needs to raise more for accommodation and costs incurred during the extra time she is required to stay in New York.
As a fiercely independent artist for much of her 10-year career in music, Em has poured her heart, soul, and personal finances into the craft of songwriting, recording, and performing, which leaves little to help support her work in Indigenous advocacy. So she has launched a Givealittle campaign – graciously asking friends, family, and fans for financial support to assist her travels and work at the UN. All funds raised will go towards accommodation, on-ground transport, and daily living expenses while in New York.