Singer-songwriter Archie Roach was recognised for his contribution to Indigenous arts and culture at a special awards ceremony in Sydney Friday 27th May, 2011. 

Roach has won the $50,000 Red Ochre Award, which honours outstanding Indigenous artists as nominated by their peers.

A member of the Stolen Generations, Roach - together with his long-time partner Ruby Hunter who died last year - went on to a successful career giving a voice to his people through music.

His 1990 song Took The Children Away won a Human Rights Achievement Award and he has also been recognised as a crucial figure for young performers by giving opportunities to new and emerging talent.

Roach says winning the prize is a great achievement.

"Especially coming from your own people, Aboriginal people - it's great to be recognised for the work that you've done," he said.

He says this prize will give him time and space to focus on new creative projects.

"I think it would be a good time to actually just stop moving around a bit and probably writing a bit more - good creative time to actually get some things up and going," he said.

"So it would be a good time just to be able to sit back and be able to do that without financial worry."

It is the fourth year of the National Indigenous Arts Awards which are presented by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board of the Australia Council.

(source: ABC News)