.png?fit=crop&h=600&w=1600&fp-x=50&fp-y=50)
First Nations
First Nations wisdom, knowledge, and experience are diverse, deep, and always changing in the social enterprise sector. Explore First Nations enterprises, educational resources, and learning communities. Learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and business innovation that cares for Country, community, people, and the planet. Take steps to honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Support equitable, regenerative futures for everyone.
First Nations Reference Group
The Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) established a First Nations Reference Group to guide Social Enterprise Australia in its role as SEDI’s Education and Mentoring Coordinator. The group provides insights and advice to inform the development and curation of information and educational resources for Australia’s social enterprise sector.
First Nations organisations
See all
BlackCard
BlackCard is a 100% Aboriginal-owned business, with a majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. As a specialist consultancy and training provider, we partner with First Nations communities, government, corporations, and industry to: deliver cultural capability training and immersion experiences across all organisational levels; create connections for mutually beneficial, culturally sensitive relationships; co-design strategies that build internal capability and create sustainable opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and use BlackCard’s evaluation methodology and Theory of Change to help companies measure their impact.
Deadly Futures Aboriginal Corporation
Deadly Futures Aboriginal Corporation exists to empower First Nations Futures through education, employment, and cultural resilience initiatives. Collaborating with community, we are committed to bringing back our signature Deadly Futures Training and Employment Expo. Over 100 jobs and traineeships for First Nations high school students were provided in our last expo; and over 1,100 students attended across 65+ high schools in Australia. Deadly Futures operates with the authority of Elders, who have provided expertise for over 30 years to enterprises, governments, corporate and industry sectors.
.png)
Enterprise Learning Projects (ELP)
Enterprise Learning Projects (ELP) is an Aboriginal controlled not-for-profit organisation. We want remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs to be empowered to determine their own futures and effect generational change for the communities. To achieve this vision, we offer tailored on-Country business support to remote entrepreneurs through our incubation and mentoring programs. And we meaningfully collaborate with our sector peers and partners.
-1.png)
Enterprise Partnerships WA
Enterprise Partnerships WA build partnerships which enable First Nations women to access the right support to use entrepreneurship as a vehicle for social change for their families and communities.
First Nations learning communities
See all.png)
First Nations Governance, Finance, Land and the Climate Crisis
First Nations5 Nov 2025 • 12:00 pm AEDTFirst NationsJoin First Nations Affairs for a powerful conversation at the intersection of Country, capital and climate.
Learn more
What does Truth-telling for Social Change Look Like?
First Nations30 Oct 2025 • 1:00 pm AEDTFirst NationsJoin this dynamic discussion, convened by BlakCast in collaboration with John-Paul Janke, Joshua Creamer and Stacey Thomas. Explore the why, what, and how of centring equity and justice for Country and community in social change.
Learn more
Agents of Change: Insights from First Nations Social Enterprise Leaders
First Nations21 May 2025 • 12:00 pm AESTFirst NationsJoin The Land Back Foundation in an interactive online webinar to explore how social enterprises can work as agents of change to advocate and uplift Indigenous businesses.
Learn more
Doing Business on Country
First Nations26 Feb 2025 • 1:00 pm AEDTFirst NationsJoin The Land Back Foundation in an interactive online webinar on applying First Nations' worldviews to social enterprise leadership and doing business on Country.
Learn more
Resources
Photo credit: BlackCard
Photo credit: Maria Fredericks, Kalumburu Photography Collective
Photo credit: Enterprise Partnerships WA
Photo credit: Freedom Garvey-Warr, Kalumburu Photography Collective
First Nations resources
See all.png?w=192)
'Aboriginal Economics', Gaala Watson (Sustainable Table)
First NationsArticlesFirst NationsThis article examines Indigenous perspectives on economics and self-determination in Australia, highlighting historical dispossession, economic exclusion, and alternative frameworks for wealth. It explores Indigenous values of communal wealth, economic sovereignty tied to land and spirit, and sustainable solutions.
'Aboriginal Economics', Gaala Watson (Sustainable Table)
Amnesty Australia Reconciliation Toolkit
First NationsGuidesFirst NationsThe Reconciliation Toolkit is a practical guide from Amnesty International Australia. It helps workplaces and community groups take meaningful steps toward reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The resource explains Australia’s history and the purpose of National Reconciliation Week. It supports users to reflect, learn and act. The Toolkit encourages respectful relationships, cultural understanding and everyday actions that promote fairness and inclusion.
Amnesty Australia Reconciliation Toolkit.png?w=192)
‘Are We Mates Yet? Agreement-Making Between States and First Nations’, Dr. Tony Dreise
First NationsReportsFirst NationsThis report analyses colonial impacts, truth-telling, and pathways to self-determination, offering insights into decolonisation. While focused on agreement-making between Australian states and First Nations peoples, its strategies for embedding equity and Indigenous sovereignty into governance, policy, and community development have broader relevance.
‘Are We Mates Yet? Agreement-Making Between States and First Nations’, Dr. Tony Dreise
Artificial Intelligence, Copyright and Indigenous Culture – The New Frontier
First NationsArticlesFirst NationsThis article by Terri Janke and Company explores the impact of artificial intelligence on copyright law and Indigenous culture in Australia. It explains how AI technologies raise new risks for protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. The resource discusses ownership, consent, and the use of Indigenous art and knowledge in AI systems. It encourages readers to consider ethical and legal safeguards as digital tools expand.
Artificial Intelligence, Copyright and Indigenous Culture – The New Frontier
Explore key terms
This resource provides key terms used in the Australian social enterprise sector. It explains technical language and helps people use the same words to mean the same things.
Learn moreBe part of what's growing
Understorey recognises that Indigenous businesses existed long before the contemporary Australian social enterprise sector. They provide pathways to self-determination and strengthen social, cultural and environmental outcomes. Relationships, reciprocity and respect for Country are core principles of Indigenous business. They are key skills for all businesses. These skills help grow an economy that cares for people and the planet.
We’d love to hear from you!
Reach out to one of our team members, and share input and ideas about how we can evolve Understorey.
Get in touch