Indigenous knowledge systems and social enterprise

First Nations Startups Fact Sheets - Legal Guide Australia

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

The First Nations Startups Fact Sheets are practical legal guides from HopgoodGanim Lawyers. They help Indigenous entrepreneurs understand key issues when starting and growing a business. The resource explains topics such as business structures, contracts, intellectual property, funding and risk management. It supports First Nations founders to make informed decisions and to access clear, plain language legal information.

First Nations Worthwhile Ventures (FNWV) Business Portal

First Nations

Platforms

First Nations

The Business Portal from First Nations Worthwhile Ventures (FNWV) is an online hub that supports First Nations businesses. It offers tools, advice, and opportunities to help people start and grow businesses, while strengthening culture, community, and economic self-determination through FNWV’s broader work in enterprise and capacity building.

The Sleeping Giant Rises

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This report from Supply Nation looks at the growth of First Nations businesses in Australia. It shows how these businesses are creating jobs, building strong communities, and contributing to the economy. The report also highlights the opportunities and challenges for future growth.

Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC)

Guides

This web page introduces the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), the body that registers and regulates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations in Australia. It explains what ORIC does, who it serves, and the values it operates by. It is useful for anyone setting up or running an Indigenous corporation.

Indigenous Governance Toolkit

First Nations

Platforms

First Nations

The AIGI Indigenous Governance Toolkit supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to build strong and culturally grounded governance. It provides practical tools, case studies, and guidance to help communities strengthen leadership, decision-making, and accountability while respecting culture, tradition and self-determination.

First Nations Governance, First Nations Affairs

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This guide explains why genuine Indigenous governance requires real decision-making authority, not just consultation with suggestions for how to embed it. It makes clear the difference between tokenistic advisory roles and legitimate power-sharing structures that respect First Nations authority over Country and culture.

Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC)

Guides

This web page introduces the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), the body that registers and regulates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations in Australia. It explains what ORIC does, who it serves, and the values it operates by. It is useful for anyone setting up or running an Indigenous corporation.

Centre for Appropriate Technology (CfAT)

First Nations

Platforms

First Nations

The Centre for Appropriate Technology (CfAT) delivers innovative, community-driven solutions for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern technology, CfAT develops essential infrastructure, provides training, and supports sustainable development to enhance self-determination.

Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs)

First Nations

Other

First Nations

Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs), operated by the State Library of Queensland, empower Indigenous communities to preserve culture, share knowledge, and integrate modern technology. They support local leadership, digital access, and cultural innovation.

Self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

Self-determination is vital to the governance and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, enabling them to lead decision-making, exercise sovereignty, and build community-driven governance systems. This toolkit section outlines principles, pathways, and practical steps toward self-determination, including nation building, treaty processes, and sustainable development.

Our Community Development Framework – a First Nations Approach

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This resource is a practical guide from Community First Development that explains their First Nations approach to community development. It outlines a strengths-based framework shaped by culture, relationships and self-determination. The guide shows how communities can lead decisions, design local solutions and measure progress in ways that respect First Nations knowledge and value

Indigenous Knowledge Research Publications – Old Ways, New

First Nations

Other

First Nations

This collection of research publications from Old Ways, New explores Indigenous knowledge systems and how they inform modern technologies, design, governance and cultural practice. The work highlights Indigenous perspectives on artificial intelligence, patterns of knowledge, equity, inclusion and deep connections to Country. The resource brings together reports, papers, chapters and research outputs that centre Indigenous expertise and guide ethical engagement with complex systems.

Tanya Egerton Interview – First Nations Enterprises and Cultural Heritage

First Nations

Podcasts

First Nations

This interview with Tanya Egerton explores how First Nations enterprises preserve heritage and culture for future generations. Tanya discusses the role of Indigenous-led businesses in protecting language, knowledge, art and connection to Country. The article highlights opportunities and challenges for Indigenous entrepreneurs and explains how cultural values guide economic activity. It helps readers understand why strong Indigenous enterprises support long-term community wellbeing.

The Sleeping Giant Rises

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This report from Supply Nation looks at the growth of First Nations businesses in Australia. It shows how these businesses are creating jobs, building strong communities, and contributing to the economy. The report also highlights the opportunities and challenges for future growth.

Gari Yala 2 (Speak the Truth) Full Report: Centreing the Work Experiences of Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander Australians in 2025-2026

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

Gari Yala 2 (Speak the Truth) is an Indigenous-led national survey report from the UTS Centre for Indigenous People and Work. It finds that racism and cultural unsafety remain widespread in Australian workplaces, with little improvement since 2020. It is essential reading for employers, HR professionals, and anyone working in diversity and inclusion.

2026 Close the Gap Campaign Report – Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This report from the Close the Gap Campaign examines why progress on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and life outcomes remains slow, despite years of government commitments. It argues that public sector reform and stronger laws are needed to make change real and lasting. Useful for policymakers, practitioners, funders and community organisations working in Indigenous health and social justice.

Women in Native Title: Native Title Report 2024

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This community guide summarises the Australian Human Rights Commission's 2024 Native Title Report, which focuses on First Nations women's experiences of the native title system. It presents stories from women across Australia showing how the system fails to deliver justice, and calls for major reform. It is relevant to advocates, policymakers, community organisations and anyone working in land justice or First Nations rights.

Aboriginal Economics

First Nations

Articles

First Nations

This 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.

Are we mates yet? Agreement making between States and First Nations

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This 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.

Gari Yala 2 (Speak the Truth) Full Report: Centreing the Work Experiences of Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander Australians in 2025-2026

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

Gari Yala 2 (Speak the Truth) is an Indigenous-led national survey report from the UTS Centre for Indigenous People and Work. It finds that racism and cultural unsafety remain widespread in Australian workplaces, with little improvement since 2020. It is essential reading for employers, HR professionals, and anyone working in diversity and inclusion.

2026 Close the Gap Campaign Report – Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This report from the Close the Gap Campaign examines why progress on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and life outcomes remains slow, despite years of government commitments. It argues that public sector reform and stronger laws are needed to make change real and lasting. Useful for policymakers, practitioners, funders and community organisations working in Indigenous health and social justice.

Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle ("Little Children are Sacred")

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle ("Little Children are Sacred") is the 2007 report of the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.

Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

Narragunnawali is a program from Reconciliation Australia that helps schools and early learning services take action on reconciliation. It offers curriculum resources, professional learning and a Reconciliation Action Plan process designed specifically for education settings. Useful for teachers, school leaders and early childhood educators across Australia.

First Australians

First Nations

Videos

First Nations

First Australians is a seven-part documentary series that tells the history of Australia from the perspective of its First Peoples, from 1788 to 1993. It gives voice to stories that have rarely been told on Australian television. It is relevant to anyone seeking to understand the foundations of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People's rights

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This web resource from the Australian Human Rights Commission explains the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples under Australian and international law. It covers key protections, practical guides, and support services. It is useful for anyone working with or alongside First Nations communities in Australia.

Women in Native Title: Native Title Report 2024

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This community guide summarises the Australian Human Rights Commission's 2024 Native Title Report, which focuses on First Nations women's experiences of the native title system. It presents stories from women across Australia showing how the system fails to deliver justice, and calls for major reform. It is relevant to advocates, policymakers, community organisations and anyone working in land justice or First Nations rights.

Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This guide from Reconciliation Australia explains the difference between Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, and how to do both respectfully. It covers the cultural protocols behind each practice and offers practical wording and examples. It is useful for anyone organising events, meetings or communications in Australia.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab – Deakin University

First Nations

Platforms

First Nations

The Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab (IKS Lab) is a research and public-facing platform centred on Indigenous ways of thinking, knowing and doing. It brings together Indigenous practitioners and researchers to explore how Indigenous knowledge systems can inform complex global issues, policy, design and culture. The Lab creates space for relational, respectful approaches to research, knowledge sharing and collaboration across disciplines.

First Nations Systems Thinking – Common Ground

First Nations

Articles

First Nations

This article explains systems thinking from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. It shows how First Nations approaches view the world as connected relationships between people, land, culture and community. The resource introduces key ideas from Indigenous knowledge systems and compares them with Western problem solving methods. It helps readers understand why Indigenous ways of thinking are valuable for addressing complex Australian challenges.

Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

Narragunnawali is a program from Reconciliation Australia that helps schools and early learning services take action on reconciliation. It offers curriculum resources, professional learning and a Reconciliation Action Plan process designed specifically for education settings. Useful for teachers, school leaders and early childhood educators across Australia.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) sets out the global standards for the rights, dignity and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples. Adopted by the United Nations in 2007, it affirms Indigenous Peoples’ rights to culture, land, self-determination and participation in decision making. The Declaration guides governments, organisations and communities toward respectful and fair relationships.

Amnesty Australia Reconciliation Toolkit

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

The 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.

Indigenous Protocols Bundle

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

The Indigenous Protocols Bundle is a practical resource created to help people engage respectfully with Indigenous communities and knowledge systems. It offers guidance for non-Indigenous organisations, researchers and practitioners who want to build ethical working relationships. The Bundle explains key protocols for communication, decision making and collaboration. It emphasises Indigenous authority over Indigenous knowledge and encourages users to approach cross-cultural work with care, patience and openness.

Agents of Change: Insights from First Nations Social Enterprise Leaders

Webinars

The Land Back Foundation held an interactive session exploring how social enterprises can practice long-term allyship, accountability, and activism. The discussion shared lived experiences and practical actions for embedding equity and justice in everyday business.

First Nations Principles for Social Enterprise Development

Webinars

Shifting Ground held an interactive webinar with agents of social change representing a cross-section of First Nations social enterprises and businesses. It explored the principle: "If you can get right what you do in relation to First Nations people, your work with all people and communities will benefit."

CSIRO Indigenous Seasonal and Cultural Calendars

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This resource is a practical guide to Indigenous seasonal and cultural calendars across Australia. It explains how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities understand natural cycles, weather patterns, plants and animals on Country. The guide shows how these calendars differ by region and reflect local knowledge. It helps viewers learn about Indigenous ways of observing the environment and caring for land and sea.

Truth-Telling Resource Hub

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This resource page from Reconciliation Australia shares learning materials about truth-telling in Australia. It includes guides, reports and videos that explain what truth-telling is and why it matters for reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

Narragunnawali is a program from Reconciliation Australia that helps schools and early learning services take action on reconciliation. It offers curriculum resources, professional learning and a Reconciliation Action Plan process designed specifically for education settings. Useful for teachers, school leaders and early childhood educators across Australia.