NAIDOC Week: Championing Indigenous businesses
Help us celebrate NAIDOC Week by supporting Indigenous-owned and operated businesses around the country.
Standing for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to support and amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
In 2022, NAIDOC Week carries the theme ‘Get up! Stand up! Show up!’. Running from Sunday 3 July to Sunday 10 July, Australians are encouraged to ‘champion institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative change while celebrating those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over generations’.
As a direct means for anyone to get involved in championing change is to support Indigenous-owned and operated businesses. As The Conversation points out, the number of Indigenous startups in Australia has grown by 30 percent in the last decade, with Indigenous women also increasing in representation over that period.
To get you started this NAIDOC Week, we’ve highlighted 10 businesses below, each of which are offering opportunities for their customers to share in their culture while also helping to build commerce and communities.
Deadly Denim
If you’re into circular fashion and modern designs, Deadly Denim in Perth take recycled denim clothing and pair it with unique prints to create something new.
Founded in 2018 when Ballarong, Whadjuk woman Rebecca Rickard released a collection of 20 recycled denim jackets at the Cinefest Film Festival. Since then, Deadly Denim has continued giving old denim products like jackets and bags new life, while also expanding to offer jacket design workshops to services including those working with victims of domestic abuse, correctional facilities and youth groups.
Clothing The Gaps
Another clothing brand with a progressive twist, Victoria-based Clothing The Gaps is a fashion label designed to celebrate Aboriginal people and culture.
Co-founded by Gunditjmara woman Laura Thompson, Clothing The Gaps is pitched as a profit-for-purpose social enterprise and 81 percent of its staff are Indigenous Australians. Plus, they became officially certified as a B Corporation in March this year.
Little Black Duck Aboriginal Teapots
Based out of Wagga Wagga, NSW, Little Black Duck sells unique Aboriginal art pieces including handcrafted teapots, serving boards and candles.
Created by artist, creative, maker and entrepreneur Ashleigh Pengelly, Little Black Duck – or ‘LBD’ as she affectionately calls her business, aims to share beautiful Indigenous art and artists with the world.
Dreamtime Aroha
Bringing together Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori heritage, Tidda J. and Cuzzie B. created Dreamtime Aroha has a means to offer family and friends toys for their kids that represent Indigenous people.
The result is a collection of Jarjums, or dolls, each of which proudly depict Indigenous culture and heritage. As a not-for-profit, Dreamtime Aroha operates a ‘pay it forward’ fund that helps support communities and get Jarjums into the hands of children in need. As their website says, ‘Every bit helps and every cent goes into the community to educate, promote diversity and spread Aroha’.
Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences
The ability to learn more about the oldest continuing culture on Earth is a privilege in Australia, one that’s facilitated by the good work of groups like Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences, which takes people on tours and experiences in culturally significant locations.
Created by Walter and Meg McGuire in 2016, Go Cultural is based in Perth and shares the first story of that land and insights into the life of the local Noongar people.
As a 100 percent Indigenous-owned and operated organisation, Go Cultural offers an authentic way for more people to connect with Australia’s Indigenous heritage.
Earth Jinda
Gumbayngirr woman Jame Telfer created Earth Jinda as a way to bring alternative options to support mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing with a focus on maternal care.
Telfer’s shop features a range of aromatherapy products as well as original artworks, but Earth Jinda also supports a Wellbeing Women’s Circle that aims to create a safe space for Aboriginal mothers and accepts donations for the cause via the website.
Liandra Swim
What happens when you take on-trend, premium designer swimwear and give it a uniquely Aboriginal spin? It’s this question that Liandra Swim, based out of Darwin, answers with flair.
Founded and designed by Liandra Gaykamangu, a Yolngu woman from East Arnhem Land, Liandra Swim offers another way to embrace and support Australia’s Indigenous culture.
As an eco-conscious, ethical swimwear brand, all Liandra Swim’s fabrics are produced using recycled materials. Even the packaging materials this brand uses are biodegradeable!
Haus of Dizzy
Wiradjuri woman Kristy Dickinson has developed a bold, playful style that she imbues in every piece of jewellery produced through the Haus of Dizzy.
Dickinson’s studio, located in Fitzroy, Victoria, produces laser-cut, hand-painted pieces that are then sold direct or carried by retailers across Australia, New Zealand and the US. Taking the offering one step further, Haus of Dizzy has also recently started offering jewellery making workshops for those who want to get hands on with their designs.
Spinifex Skateboards
Spinifex Skateboards began with the creation of the first indoor skatepark of its kind to appear in a remote community in the NT. Behind the campaign to get the skatepark built in Ltyente Apurte (Santa Teresa), was Arrernte man Nicky Hayes.
With the skatepark built in 2015, Hayes’ dream to introduce skating to his community had begun. Next step: get them properly kitted out.
Today, Spinifex Skateboards offers skate accessories, boards and clothing to the world, with the proceeding going towards their First Nations Skate Tours, whereby Spinifex offers places for between six and 10 Indigenous youths to take their skating interstate.
Mabu Mabu
Indigenous-owned events and catering business Mabu Mabu brings together delectable offerings from three different hospitality businesses: Big Esso, Kara Meta and Tuck Shop, each representing a different place and people.
Leaning heavily on Indigenous ingredients and cooking knowledge, Mabu Mabu offers a uniquely Australian dining experience whether that’s in restaurant, at one of their catered events, or through the jams, spices and sauces sold direct online.
Get up, stand up & show up
The above organisations barely scratch the surface when it comes to the kinds of great brands, businesses and services offered by Indigenous leaders around the country. So this NAIDOC Week, make it your mission to find out more about those operating in your corner of Australia.
At MYOB, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we are on and pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. In particular, the writer would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people and the Kulin Nation – traditional owners of Naarm, the lands on which this article was written.