The Government is committed to an inclusive international trade and investment agenda that drives economic growth for all Australians, including First Nations people and communities.
This agenda aims to amplify First Nations voices, representation and participation in trade and investment, including strengthening First Nations engagement, greater coordination with government agencies, and leveraging existing trade and economic programs, agreements, and regional and multilateral frameworks.
Why?
Australia's First Nations traders are our first exporters – from trading goods with Makassan seafarers in Indonesia for generations, to now exporting native botanicals, art, design, cyber and clean energy solutions to world markets. Australia's First Nations tourism experiences across the visitor economy provide the opportunity to highlight Australia's unique visitor experience and celebrate the world's oldest living continuous cultures, both domestically and internationally. First Nations businesses are succeeding across Australia's goods and services exports.
An inclusive First Nations trade and investment agenda has the potential to deliver economic growth and economic prosperity for First Nation businesses and their communities. It also has the potential to elevate and reaffirm First Nations perspectives in climate change, sustainable development, traditional knowledge, and protecting the integrity of First Nations arts and cultural products.
In addition, First Nations exporting businesses are role models and multipliers – they are more likely to train and employ Indigenous staff and channel profits back into their communities. The value of Indigenous trade is felt back along the supply chain and into communities on-country where jobs and wealth are created. In turn, this has the potential to contribute to a broad range of Closing the Gap targets and support improved family and community wellbeing.
How?
This work is being led by the First Nations Trade Unit, which was established in Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2023. The Unit works closely with the Ambassador for First Nations People, Mr Justin Mohamed, and the Office for First Nations International Engagement, as well as government at both State and Commonwealth levels, to embed First Nations interests and perspectives across the Government's trade and investment activities.
To support this work, the Department convenes a First Nations Trade and Investment Reference Group (Reference Group), which consists of representatives from First Nations' peak bodies, academia, First Nations chambers of commerce, and First Nations businesses across Australia. The Reference Group provides the opportunity to connect with others in the First Nations trade and investment ecosystem, voice barriers faced, engage with emerging opportunities, showcase businesses, and receive trade updates, notification of upcoming events, and advice on procurement, grant and international trade opportunities.
Interested in joining the Reference Group? Reach out to the Unit via firstnationstrade@dfat.gov.au.
Pilot First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group
The Department is also progressing the establishment of a pilot First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group, which was announced in December 2023.
Indigenous Business Month 2024 Showcase
The Department is committed to promoting the successes of First Nations businesses that are exporting their goods and services around the world. In collaboration with Austrade, we are committed to growing the number of First Nations exporters and highlighting these businesses and their journey.
To celebrate Indigenous Business Month, the Department is showcasing two incredibly successful businesses that are based out of the Northern Territory and in recent years, taken on the world.
Liandra
Liandra Gaykamangu has channelled her love of her country and culture into her resort wear label, Liandra. For nearly seven years, she has used fashion as a medium for cultural expression and storytelling, believing that clothing sends messages out to the world.
Liandra’s label has gained international attention, notably after first being featured in US Vogue, which spurred significant overseas interest. She emphasises the importance of understanding international markets, noting the larger opportunities available compared to Australia's smaller, concentrated population.
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), established in 2007, has become a prominent event in the global art scene, showcasing contemporary fine art and design from over 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres across Australia and is the only national event of its kind in the world.
While the 2020 pandemic forced a digital pivot for the art fair, it massively boosted their global engagement and audience. This set DAAF on a path of establishing a more all-encompassing international strategy, which has included major research into global markets, as well as the development of an Indigenous Arts Hub that aims to connect artists with global galleries, ensuring proceeds benefit the Indigenous communities DAAF serves.
With thanks to Going North for producing the above videos.
Contact Us
The First Nations Trade Unit can be contacted via email at firstnationstrade@dfat.gov.au.