Aboriginal Economic Participation
Creating opportunities for success
What does SUCCESS looks like for Aboriginal Economic Participation?
RESA's view is that effective Aboriginal Economic Participation will:
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be founded on genuine engagement with Aboriginal people. communities and their nominated representatives
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provide sustainable employment and business opportunities for Aboriginal people
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support self-determination and choice
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be driven through capability building for Aboriginal people and organisations, along with organisations providing opportunities for Aboriginal people.
Why is Aboriginal Economic Participation a mining industry priority?
In addition to the social, historical and ethical drivers for advancing Aboriginal Economic Participation, we believe there are specific drivers for the resources industry that elevate Economic Participation as a priority:
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Beneficiaries - Aboriginal people should be the beneficiaries of the commercial activity conducted on Country
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Opportunity - Mining and infrastructure projects carried out in remote and regional areas provide opportunities to connect with Aboriginal people in and from the regions.
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Regional Capability - the business case for engagement of local workforce and supply chain is well recognised with reduced costs, and greater efficiency...where the capability exists.
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Commitment - Land access agreements represent a binding commitment to Communities.
These drivers indicate supporting Aboriginal Economic Participation is not just the right thing to do - it is the smart thing to do for the sustainability and growth of the resources industry.
What can you do?
Industry can contribute to Aboriginal Economic Participation in a number of ways such as:
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Employing and upskilling aboriginal people
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Engaging Aboriginal owned and operated companies to undertake work activity
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Supporting capability development projects that build the capability of Aboriginal owned and operated enterprises.
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Support to communities through essential projects that address foundation issues such as: thriving in two worlds, health, infrastructure, access to careers pathways, education and capability building.
It is essential to make an honest assessment of:
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the alignment of your objectives and requirements with the goals of the Aboriginal people, communities and organisations with whom you seek to engage.
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the organisations commitment to supporting activities and programs that drive Aboriginal Economic Participation
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the suitability of the systems and processes to be established.
The tools and links below provide advice and connection for companies seeking to implement meaningful approaches to Aboriginal Economic participation.
ABORIGINAL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT
If your commitment to Aboriginal Economic Participation is to be achieved through business procurement check out the AEMEE Resources for Aboriginal Business Procurement below.
The Industry Advocate's Aboriginal Business Register provides details of Aboriginal owned and operated companies in South Australia.
SUPPORTING THE WORKFORCE
If your commitment to Aboriginal Economic Participation is to be achieved through employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people you will need to ensure you have support systems and mechanisms in place for employees. You can use this simple checklist to evaluate your readiness to effectively support Aboriginal employees in your business.
CAPABILITY BUILDING PROJECTS
Links
Far North Aboriginal Economic Collective
The Far North Aboriginal Economic Collective was formed to assist Aboriginal people through the process of supporting social and economic development in the Far North region of South Australia.
The Collective is comprised of companies owned and operated by Aboriginal people and communities. This provides a great opportunity for industry to partner with companies employing Aboriginal people to provide employment and capability development in regional SA.
FNAEC is supported by Kiara Johnson (KSJ Consultancy Services) as the Collective co-ordinator. Kiara aims to empower government, non-profit, and commercial entities to develop partnerships with the Aboriginal Community, driving outcomes aligned with social and ethically responsible business practices. With proven expertise in the development and codification of economic engagement and social empowerment initiatives in the government sector, KSJ Consultancy will help your organisation advance its strategic commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining, Energy and Exploration Ltd (AEMEE)
AEMEE was established in recognition that Aboriginal people want to engage in the economic and social benefits that result from resource development on their traditional lands.
AEMEE's purpose is to:
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advance the condition and welfare of Aboriginal people by increasing their involvement and interests in the resources industry in economic development, mineral resource management and environmental protection;
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improve relations and understanding between Aboriginal people and Aboriginal companies and all relevant participants in the mining industry;
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create opportunities for Aboriginal businesses to build the wealth, assets and good will within the resources industries; and
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increase opportunities for Aboriginal companies to develop into viable, profitable and successful businesses.
AEMEE Resources for Aboriginal Business Procurement
The Indigenous Business Procurement Evaluation Checklist has been developed to enable extractive resource companies and their major contractors to assess their commitment to and overall provision for Indigenous business procurement within their supply chain.
Indigenous Business Procurement Evaluation Checklist
In 2015, AEMEE commissioned a supply chain project focused on understanding and improving the capacity of buyer companies to successfully contract with Indigenous companies. AEMEE engaged the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM), University of Queensland to undertake the first stage of works. AEMEE and QGC established their partnership based on the shared goal of enhancing Aboriginal economic participation. Through this project AEMEE and QGC sought to better understand, benchmark and promote good practice in Aboriginal business development. The project resulted in the report:
Benchmarking Leading Practice in Aboriginal Business Procurement in the Extractive Resource Sector
SUPPLY NATION
Supply Nation works to connect over 2,500 verified Indigenous businesses on Indigenous Business Direct with more than 450 paid corporate, government and not-for-profit members in every state and territory.
Joining Supply Nation as an Indigenous business can be the gateway to connecting with the procurement teams of Australia’s largest organisations. Listing on Australia's largest directory is always 100% free.
TURKINDI
The Indigenous Information Network of South Australia Inc (Turkindi) is an informal network of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians who, through their work, are directly involved in assisting Indigenous Australians in finding meaningful employment, training, education or information relating to Indigenous service providers or events State wide and nationally.
If you have an opportunity to support Indigenous South Australians, Turkindi may be able to assist you to connect with the right people.