Empowering Aboriginal women in business
The NSW Government is to invest over $148,000 in a local program to empower Aboriginal women to establish businesses and lead environmental and cultural heritage protection on Country in the State’s North Coast.
Currie Country Social Change’s ‘Empowering Women for Country: Building Skills in Cultural and Heritage Protection’ pilot program will help equip 16 Aboriginal women with skills in leadership, and business and communications, as well as gain certifications in cultural heritage, drone operation, first aid and 4WD safety.
Through the pilot, these women will also receive training and guidance to establish micro-businesses delivering environmental management and cultural heritage services grounded in Aboriginal knowledge.
Currie Country Social Change’s ‘Empowering Women for Country, builds skills in cultural and heritage protection.
The women will receive wraparound support such as ongoing mentoring, cultural connection and intergenerational knowledge transfer to help them confidently launch and sustain their businesses.
The objective is to create culturally grounded businesses that protect Country, preserve cultural heritage, and build long-term community resilience through expanding employment opportunities for women.
The Government is supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners, especially those from priority cohorts such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women living in regional, rural and remote areas, women with disability, carers and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
It is part of our wider work to boost women’s participation and advancement that includes Supporting Women in Business grants, Investing in Women grants and the Women-Owned Enterprises Australia Supplier Network.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the Government was committed to closing the gap by continuing to support culture and Aboriginal led businesses across NSW.
“NSW is unique in having a specific Closing the Gap Priority Reform – reform number 5 – focused on bolstering Aboriginal business growth and economic prosperity,” he said.
“Programs like this will help equip Aboriginal women with the tools they need to boost their local economies and preserve their culture now and into the future.”
Creating regional women leaders
CEO Currie Country Social Change Arabella Douglas said the funding would help build a First Nations women-led ecosystem of environmental, cultural and community enterprises that support one another to grow, lead and respond to the long-term challenges of climate, community resilience and caring for Country.
“The program recognises that women are already leading in environmental management, regeneration, community care and cultural education — and it simply backs their leadership and creates pathways for long-term economic independence and impact,” she said.
“It is also creating regional women leaders who are building opportunities for other women around them — strengthening local economies, skills and leadership across regional New South Wales.”
https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/women-nsw-grants-and-funding
