By Francesco Solfrini

Indigenous-owned businesses encourage economic self-determination for Indigenous peoples, promote the use of Indigenous knowledge and community development, and provide increased employment opportunities for Indigenous people. So, it’s good news that Australia’s First Nations business sector is growing at a pace of around 4% per year, and the Māori economy is projected to reach a value of NZ$100 billion by 2030.

The benefits go beyond First Nation communities. Working with Indigenous suppliers enhances cultural diversity, offers unique perspectives that drive innovation and strengthens the economy by creating a more inclusive and diverse market. At the organisational level, companies can enrich their social responsibility profiles, access new market segments and cultivate stronger community ties, yielding net benefits for corporate reputation and customer loyalty.

But there’s a caveat. A genuinely fruitful partnership occurs when the business relationship is founded on mutual respect and a deeper understanding and adoption of Indigenous principles and practices.

WSP Global is a consulting firm providing strategic consulting, engineering and design services, with a division dedicated to Māori business and advisory services. Nathan Capper, WSP’s kaitohutohu Māori – matua (senior advisor – Māori), views partnerships with businesses as a key component for Māori communities’ economic empowerment.

“Such collaborations foster selfsufficiency and prosperity, preserve cultural identity and promote intergenerational resilience,” he says. “Authentic partnerships are the catalyst for social upliftment, breaking cycles of marginalisation and fostering inclusive growth that benefits both Māori communities and the broader society.”

Cultural sensitivity

According to Supply Nation, Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses, a greater understanding of Indigenous cultural values can improve the relationship between both parties and is likely to improve procurement outcomes.

Supply Nation’s 2021 report, What Makes Indigenous Business Unique? highlights that businesses would greatly benefit from a deeper understanding of three key areas central to Indigenous business:

1. Indigenous cultural values

These are cultural values that are directly related to human relationships and experiences that connect immediate and extended family kinship systems. They involve the concept of reciprocity within all relationships, including the broader Indigenous communities, through intuitive obligatory responsibilities. Becoming familiar with Indigenous cultural values also provides a pathway for reconciliation in a way that values the Indigenous Australian voice.

2. Interpersonal relationships

These are culturally embedded and vital for Indigenous businesses. Indigenous values – characterised by interdependent relationships among the sacred, the physical environment and human connections – often blend the individual’s worldview with business practices, making business a form of cultural expression. This inseparability is central to the business value proposition of many Indigenous businesses.

3. Rights-based approach

Engaging with the Indigenous business sector through a rights-based approach involves implementing systems that uphold the economic self-sufficiency rights of Indigenous peoples and businesses. This approach encourages public and private institutions to reassess their assumptions and adapt their systems to incorporate Indigenous cultural values, enhancing sustainability goals.

Building trust

A deeper understanding in these areas could lead to stronger networks, reduced cultural bias, a positive shift in the perception of Indigenous businesses and improved governance in Indigenous business engagement strategies. These changes are likely to decrease transaction costs.

The need for cultural sensitivity is echoed across the Tasman.

Whāriki is New Zealand’s largest Māori business network. With more than 4700 members, it supports and uplifts Māori business owners and professionals through growth initiatives, community connections and advocacy.

Whāriki’s general manager, Renée Smith, believes successful engagement with Māori suppliers goes far beyond the efficiency of transactions.

“It’s about embracing an understanding of Māori culture, heritage and shared values. That’s how businesses can forge meaningful connections that drive economic growth and promote cultural preservation and social harmony.”

Māori-run businesses are often aligned with Māori values, such as kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the sky, sea and land), whanaungatanga (relationships and a sense of family connection), and manaakitanga (hospitality and care for others).

“Acknowledging Māori cultural sensitivity and intellectual property rights is imperative in fostering genuine partnerships with iwi [tribe] and hapū [kinship group, clan, subtribe]. It honours the rich heritage and traditional knowledge integral to their identity, promoting trust and respect,” says Capper.

Case Study

Shal and Chopard

Pictured: First Nations artist Shaun Daniel Allen (aka Shal)

Some companies recognise that collaborating with Indigenous partners is a unique opportunity to make a concrete impact, bring to life their ESG plans and reinforce their brand. For example, in late 2023 watchmaker Chopard Australia joined forces with First Nations artist Shaun Daniel Allen (aka Shal) to develop a limited edition of its Alpine Eagle timepieces.

“With the Alpine Eagle Sunburnt, we wanted to pay homage to Australia’s landscapes and rich heritage. While the dials in the original Alpine Eagle collection echo the Alps atmosphere, the sunburnt red dial of this timepiece is inspired by the rich ochre hues of the outback soil that shift with the sun’s position,” says Ruggero Pirrotta, Chopard Australasia general manager.

“This feature, which communicates Chopard’s connection to nature, motivated Shal to reinterpret for us his work inspired by the geography of NSW’s Northern Rivers region.” During the 2022 floods, the artist took a flight over the Northern Rivers, where he observed the interplay of colours – grey, red, brown, and black – in the landscape.

“Moved by this, he created a beautiful painting and presented it to us as a concept, which we absolutely loved,” Pirrotta says. “Our priority was to respect the artist and the culture he represents. We gave him complete free rein in developing the concept and choosing the name for the collection. We placed his vision ahead of our ambitions, and stepped back to let him lead the creative process. Trust is essential when working with First Nations individuals and organisations.”

Integral to the partnership was the support of the charity chosen by the artist. Ngunya Jarjum is an Aboriginal Corporation established by Bundjalung elders and community members to address the need for more Aboriginal kinship and foster careers. It was a natural choice for Shal, as the organisation was severely impacted by the 2022 eastern Australia flood disasters.

In line with the company’s philanthropic commitments, Chopard devotes a portion of the profits from the watch sales to funding Ngunya Jarjum’s programs.

When to engage with an Indigenous supplier

Commissioning artworks

Enhance workspaces with art reflecting Indigenous traditions.

Naming spaces

Use Indigenous languages for naming boardrooms or buildings.

Translating materials

Provide business materials in Indigenous languages.

Developing names

Incorporate Indigenous languages in project or product names.

Cultural training

Host workshops for staff on cultural competence.

Environmental planning

Consult on sustainable practices and traditional land management.

Event collaboration

Partner for catering and cultural performances at corporate events.

Marketing consultation

Gain insights for respectful marketing to Indigenous communities.

Supply chain diversification

Include Indigenous businesses for varied services and goods.

How to find First Nations suppliers

Supply Nation’s research shows that every A$1 generated by an Indigenous-owned business delivers an average social return of A$4.41. Here are some resources to help businesses find and engage with Indigenous suppliers.

Supply Nation

Supply Nation provides a database of more than 4500 verified Indigenous businesses and works to connect them with more than 750 corporate, government, and not-for-profit members in every state and territory. You can search by business name, product, service, area, or category right from their website.

Through this network, companies can find Indigenous suppliers who meet their specific needs and share a commitment to cultural integrity and business excellence.

A robust five-step verification process and real-time audits based on daily updates from ASIC ensure the authenticity of businesses listed on their directory. Additionally, Supply Nation collaborates with its members to craft procurement policies that promote spending within the Indigenous business sector, supporting its growth and integration into mainstream markets.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Another valuable resource is DFAT, which maintains a comprehensive list of First Nations suppliers. This list includes a variety of products and services offered by Indigenous businesses, from traditional arts and crafts to more contemporary offerings like consultancy services, construction, and technology solutions.

CA ANZ sponsors Te Hui Taketake a Te Puna Tahua Toa

From 25–27 July 2024, Rotorua will host Te Hui Taketake a Te Puna Tahua Toa. This international summit will showcase Indigenous peoples and businesses from around the world, and how we are collectively growing the global Indigenous economy.

CA ANZ is delighted to be partnering with Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa as a key sponsor of this event to support the growth and prosperity of the Māori economy. To find out more and to register to attend visit: thtatptt.org

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