Indigenous Business Month is an annual celebration that occurs every October and 2022 marks its eighth year.
Indigenous Business Month is an initiative driven by the alumni of Melbourne Business School’s MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class Program, who see business as a vehicle towards self-determination, a way of providing positive role models for Indigenous Australians and improving quality of life in Indigenous communities.
This year’s theme is ‘actions today, impact tomorrow’. It calls upon First Nations business owners and their non-Indigenous allies to gather online and in community to look at your actions today and how they will impact our tomorrow.
So, what does this year’s theme mean to you?
We asked Indigenous business leaders in the innovation ecosystem what this year’s theme means to them.
Kathryn Potter – Physiotherapy Innovations
Physiotherapy Innovations is an Indigenous business and a huge advocate for Indigenous health. Kathryn Potter, founder and proud Kamilaroi woman, developed the Therabubble, which is a specially designed medical device that clears airways via positive expiratory pressure and vibrations to patients suffering from respiratory conditions.
As an Indigenous business leader with the aim to give back to Indigenous communities around the world, this year’s Indigenous Business Month theme resonates with Kathryn and her business.
“We know that a thriving and successful Indigenous business can be a platform for positive change by providing support and advocacy, directly and indirectly, for self-determination. We still have a way to go but every action today means a better tomorrow for our mob,” Kathryn said.
So, what has inspired Kathryn’s actions today and how this will impact tomorrow?
Kathryn said, “I am constantly inspired by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders before me and know they have paved the way for a better tomorrow. It is with this understanding that I feel an obligation and passion to continue advocating for Indigenous affairs. Their strength and courage become mine as a founder and Managing Director.”
Sheryl Batchelor - Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation
Sheryl Batchelor is a proud Kunja woman and passionate about neuroplasticity and the positive effects it has on people who have been through adversity. And that’s why she founded Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation in 2019.
Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation uses culturally appropriate and tailored neuroplasticity programs to help vulnerable children, young people and families improve their brain health, heal their brain from adversity and strengthen their bodies through physical fitness activities.
Sheryl said, “One of the main reasons I established Yiliyapinya was to use a strengths-based approach to work, walk and heal together with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, government, and non-government sectors. I am keen to be involved in initiatives that enable and amplify self-determination and locally led decision-making to meet the needs of each community so that they can thrive.”
The Indigenous Business Month theme ‘actions today, impacts tomorrow’ aligns with Sheryl and her work as she is very mindful of truth telling and hearing the voices of various people and organisations because it’s critical in gaining a thorough understanding of everybody’s needs.
“I have a personal commitment to maintain cultural integrity and authenticity while providing an Aboriginal perspective on issues in government and non-government systems. I advocate our rights, needs and aspirations in multiple settings.
“My goal is for system change which values mutual respect, high expectations, self-determination, and collaboration with the outcome of improvements in the quality of life for our people,” said Sheryl.
Our commitment
Advance Queensland is committed to creating pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and innovators to turn their ideas into reality. Programs like our Indigenous Native Food Program, and our collaborative initiatives like Deadly Digits and weavr. aim to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs and innovators to succeed.
Read Advance Queensland’s Deadly Innovation Strategy to find out more about how we’re planning to continue to deliver jobs and economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Visit the Indigenous Business Month website to find out more about month.
