In 1994, Hunter became the first indigenous Australian woman to record a solo album, releasing her debut album 'Thoughts Within'. She received two ARIA Award nominations, for Best Indigenous Release for 'Thoughts Within' in 1995, and Best Blues & Roots Album for 'Feeling Good' in 2000, respectively. Hunter won Deadlys in 2000 for Female Artist of the Year, 2003 for Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music and 2004 for Excellence in Film & Theatrical Score. She made her acting debut in One Night the Moon. With Archie Roach and Paul Grabowsky, she wrote and performed the concert "Ruby's Story", which tells her life story through song and spoken word.
Hunter was the author of Butcher paper, texta, black board and chalk, a children's songbook which features Aboriginal songs about land, health and life. Many of the songs were written through song writing and music workshops held by Hunter and Archie Roach with children across Cape York, Queensland. In 2005, Hunter was invited by Deborah Conway to take part in the Broad Festival project, with three other Australian female artists, they performed their own and each other's songs. With Hunter and Conway were Sara Storer, Katie Noonan and Clare Bowditch. Ruby Hunter died of a heart attack on 17 February 2010, aged 54. Her partner Archie Roach established "Ruby's Foundation" to continue her legacy. The foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for Aboriginal people through the promotion, celebration and support of Aboriginal arts and culture.
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