Keep the fire burning: connecting with First Nations businesses

In the lead up to NAIDOC Week (Sunday 7 July to Sunday 14 July), it’s a great time to explore ways to celebrate the oldest continuous culture in the world. One of the most impactful ways you can acknowledge this week is by supporting, networking, and connecting with the First Nations business community.

Networking and creating connections open doors to new ideas, new partnerships, and collaborations, creating an ecosystem where ideas flourish and businesses thrive.

This NAIDOC week, you can help “Keep the Fire Burning, Blak, Loud and Proud!” by exploring opportunities to engage with First Nations businesses.

To inspire you on your journey, here are three avenues to explore – First Nations business directories, economic growth organisations and traditional owner corporations.

Image courtesy of  Ngali.

1. First Nations business directories

Did you know there are specialised business directories available, specifically tailored to connect you with First Nations enterprises and unique services?

These business directories provide services to support First Nations businesses and can advise businesses looking to engage and work with their network. Amongst their other offerings, First Nations organisations such as Ngarrimili and Kinaway Chamber of Commerce, offer Victorians access to curated lists of small businesses – an easy way to find high quality, trusted business partners.

We spoke with Coco Eke, General Manager of Ngarrimili and Donald Betts, Acting CEO of Kinaway Chamber of Commerce, about what they do for First Nations businesses and how they help to make connections

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce — Business Directory

Kinaway is from the Gunnai language and means ‘exchange.’ As the peak body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Victoria, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce aim to change Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ lives through business ownership and participation in the Victorian economy.

The Kinaway Business Directory

Before Kinaway’s Business Directory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people did not have their own commerce platform. Now, 14 years later Kinaway has a database of over 400 business members showing the presence, strength and resilience of Blak-owned businesses within Victoria.

‘There is a plethora of opportunity in the Indigenous business landscape, which is essential for a vibrant economy,’ said Donald Betts, Acting CEO of Kinaway Chamber of Commerce.

Connect with Kinaway Business Chamber and the Business Directory

‘If businesses are ready to work closely with Aboriginal businesses they can reach out at any time,’ said Donald Betts.

‘Our doors are always open. We host drop-ins on the first Friday of every month and our staff are eager and ready to discuss partnership opportunities.’

Search for businesses registered with the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Victoria across over 50 industries in 7 regions throughout Victoria. Visit the Business Directory — Kinaway Chamber of Commerce.

Ngarrimili — the Blak Business Directory

Meaning ‘to dance’ in Wadawurrung, Ngarrimili was established in 2017 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities across Australia.

‘We aim to break down the barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples entering into businesses and entrepreneurship, and scaling their reach,’ said Coco Eke, General Manager of Ngarrimili.

Ngarrimili see themselves as a connector between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and others.

‘They often face many unique challenges within society, and our aim is to bridge the gap in the economic development space, ’said Coco Eke.

The Blak Business Directory

Since its founding, Ngarrimili has collaborated and built strong, trusted relationships with thousands of business owners, brands, and artists. These connections have helped build the Blak Business Directory – a comprehensive showcase of organisations they have supported over the years.

‘Our business directory encourages our supporters and networks to engage with businesses without any barriers to connection. It is a direct link to the organisation, providing space to explore partnerships,’ said Coco Eke.

‘There are thriving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses in every sector, whether you're looking at diversifying your supply chain, engaging First Nations contractors, designing uniforms for your staff or looking at vehicle hire.’

Connect with Ngarrimili and the Blak Business Directory

Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses has benefits for all involved and Ngarrimili’s Blak Business directory is a rich source of information and opportunity for anyone looking to engage with First Nations businesses.

Find a First Nations businesses across over 20 industries and markets. Visit the Blak Business Directory.

2. First Nations economic growth organisations

Working with First Nations businesses is more than just doing business — it's about building bridges and positive connections between communities.

First Nations economic growth organisations educate and empower First Nations businesses. Through their unique programs they have a wide reach into communities and a deep understating of how to work with them.

They can provide advisory services to businesses looking to work with First Nations businesses and make recommendations about who you can reach out to for the needs of your business.

We chatted with three organisations focused on helping the First Nations community grow through business support, financial empowerment, employment services and commercialisation, providing opportunities to close the gap in the business world.

Killara Foundation

The Killara Foundation (Killara) focuses on supporting emerging Aboriginal businesses operating in Victoria across a broad range of business activities, from on-Country experiences to native tea production, as well as artists looking to commercialise their work.

They assist Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people to have sustainable employment by providing guidance, cultural understanding, and housing, and provide business mentoring in a culturally safe environment.

Connect with businesses through the Killara Foundation

Killara has a strong network in both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business worlds, through the delivery of their programs and a focus on building cultural understanding and employment opportunities.

Killara sees many positives in non-Aboriginal businesses seeking out the opportunity to engage with First Nations businesses.

‘We would encourage this for both commercial and cultural reasons. Commercially, Aboriginal business is an expanding and dynamic sector. Culturally, working with Aboriginal businesses is a form of tangible and positive engagement, bridging the divide between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities,’ said Cam Hawker, Chief Operating Officer at Killara.

There are several ways that non-Aboriginal businesses can connect with Killara. These include:

• Booking a Cultural Awareness workshop.
• Inviting Killara to advise on your business on your Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Hiring Aboriginal employees and engaging Killara to support them through their Life Skills and Residency program.

For more information, visit the Killara Foundation website.

First Nations Foundation

First Nations Foundation’s mission is to financially empower First Nations people. They began with personal finance offerings, and now focus on providing financial business education to First Nations business owners.

With the First Nations business sector growing, entrepreneurship has become a very viable option for First Nations people to become financially empowered and find economic freedom.

Connect with businesses through the First Nations Foundation

First Nations Foundation provides an in-depth understanding of how Aboriginal people operate in the business space and work to educate and advise non-Aboriginal businesses on how to best achieve their reconciliation goals by implementing a strategic business approach.

‘We find that a core part of culture is that First Nations people will take a “we” first approach as opposed to a “me” first approach in all aspects of business. First Nations people will think about the positive impact they can have on the community before they contemplate building a long-term asset for themselves. By working with us, we ensure that non-Aboriginal businesses are getting it right,’ said Phil Usher, CEO of First Nations Foundation.

‘It’s also worth noting that a secondary benefit of engaging an Aboriginal business is that they are 100 times more likely to employ Aboriginal people. By engaging with Aboriginal businesses, you are also supporting Aboriginal employment,’ said Phil Usher.

Phil explained that non-Aboriginal business owners shouldn’t look to work with an Aboriginal business based solely on their cultural background. Their belief is that Aboriginal businesses can offer knowledge, experience, products, or services that you simply can’t get anywhere else.

‘The First Nations Foundation believes that small business owners should look beyond race and ask, what does this business offer that sets them apart from others? What can I get from this business relationship?’

For more information, visit the First Nations Foundation website.

First Australians Capital

First Australians Capital supports First Nations entrepreneurs to scale and grow their businesses by providing access to the right capital and support. Founded in 2015, they promote and support First Nations led enterprises as a way for Indigenous peoples to become economically independent.

Their ambition is to unlock the cultural, creative, and economic capital of First Australians to drive a new economy and create economic independence and sustainable livelihoods for First Nations people.

Connect with businesses through First Australians Capital

First Australians Capital encourage non-Aboriginal businesses to engage with the businesses they work with for the same reasons that any business would receive a recommendation.

‘They are good businesses, led by strong business leaders, delivering high quality services or products in their markets,’ said Josh Devine, Business Advisory Manager at First Australians Capital.

He also noted the shared benefits:

• Innovation and Creativity: First Nations businesses often bring unique approaches and innovative solutions to the business arena.
• Shared Learning: a non-Indigenous business can learn different values and perspectives, enriching their own corporate cultures and broadening their organisational outlooks.
• Economic empowerment: supporting First Nations businesses uplifts economic self-determination and will support the whole of the Australian economy as a result.

For more information, visit the First Australians Capital website.

3. First Nations Traditional Owner Corporations

First Nations Traditional Owner Corporations are at the heart of preserving Indigenous culture, managing land, and boosting economic growth. Partnering with these organisations and the First Nations businesses they represent supports their economic growth and is a chance to gain unique insights and create collaborative opportunities.

By connecting with Traditional Owner Corporations, you can help build cultural bridges, spark collaborations, and support the vibrant growth of First Nations communities.

For a full list of Traditional Owner Groups in Victoria, responsible for managing and protecting Aboriginal Cultural Heritage on-Country, see Victoria’s Registered Aboriginal Parties.

Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation — DUMAWUL

Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DDWCAC, trading as DJAARA) is a representative body for Dja Dja Wurrung People in central Victoria. Its aim is to establish interests across the Clans’ traditional areas that are cultural, environmental, and economically beneficial for Traditional Owners and the wider community.

DUMAWUL (Social Enterprise Hub)

DUMAWUL launched in 2022 as a business support program providing services for Djaara creatives to build sustainable businesses aligned to their goals and needs.

DUMAWUL Hub opened in March 2024 in Bendigo CBD. The Hub is an exhibition space for Dja Dja Wurrung artists, a centre for DUMAWUL’s cultural education programs and a base for cultural tourism.

The enterprise offers different goods and services to corporate and private businesses, government organisations and schools; providing capability uplift, training and employment opportunities for First Nations artists, creatives, cultural consultants, and tour guides.

DUMAWUL also facilitates the sale of Djaara art, from private to corporate collections and for public projects and programs. Djaara artists have co-designed building facades including the Bendigo Law Courts, The Bendigo Government Building Galkangu, Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Health facilities.

Connect with businesses through DUMAWUL

DUMAWUL provides opportunities for people to experience the ancient traditions of Djaara through the delivery of their services and goods and encourages businesses to undertake their cultural competency program.

‘Djaara cultural competency program is described as “a heart- and mind-changing experience … a window into Aboriginal people’s lives, histories and contemporary existence … rich, rewarding and inspirational” said Leanne Rose-Munro, Business Manager at DUMAWUL.

‘For corporates, government departments and businesses, our cultural immersion experiences on-country are a powerful way to enhance your workforce's cultural competency levels.’

Participating in DUMAWUL workplace programs also inspires many participants to further experience Dja Dja Wurrung Country, bringing clients and their families to explore their tourism ventures.

Businesses can find out more information about experiencing the Dja Dja Wurrung Country’s rich cultural heritage and the living history of the Djaara traditional owners by visiting the DUMAWUL website.