Despite not being one of the favourites to win tonight, Isaiah qualification means a lot to the indigenous populations of Europe and Australia.

Tonight Isaiah Firebrace will become the first indigenous Australian singer to perform in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest tonight. The indigenous population of Australia make up 2.7% of the population but have historically been under-represented internationally. For Isaiah he hopes that he can inspire the indigenous youth of Australia to aspire to do great things.

Isaiah also has the backing of the Sapmi people of Norway, Finland and Sweden who have not had a singer make the Eurovision final since 2000 in Stockholm, Sweden. In total three Sapmi singers have made it onto the Eurovision stage, Roger Pontare (Sweden 1994 & 2000), Agnete (Norway 2016) and Mattis Hætta (Norway 1980).

Elin Kåven was one of two Sapmi singers to attempt to make it to this years Eurovision Song Contest and competed in the final of Melodi Grand Prix 2017 in Norway. Elin stated to NRK that she is pleased to see another indigenous singer make it through to the final of this years contest. She hopes that Isaiah’s participation can help bring another indigenous singer or song through to the contest in 2018.

Isaiah Firebrace will be representing Australia this year in Kyiv, with the song “Don’t Come Easy”. He has made a name for himself in Australia after winning the eighth season of Australia’s edition of the X Factor, despite only being 17 at the time. Following his win he released the eponymous album ‘Isaiah’, the primary single ‘It’s Gotta be You’ managed to chart in Denmark, The Netherlands, and Sweden as well as his native Australia. Isaiah Firebrace will sing “Don’t Come Easy”.

Source: NRK

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Australia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 as part of celebrations marking 60 years of the Eurovision Song Contest. Australia has broadcast the contest since 1983 making it the country which watched the contest for the longest period of time before taking part in the contest. In 2016 Australia was represented by Dami Im with the song “Sound of Silence”. She brought Australia 2nd place in the final scoring 511 points, she was just 23 points away from victory.

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