Indigenous Australians hold a profound, enduring connection to the land, waters, and resources of this country. It is a connection that extends beyond ownership and is woven into culture, spirituality, customary responsibilities, economic exchange, and guardianship. These form part of the reason why the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation was established 30 years ago in 1995.
For countless generations, Indigenous Australians have carefully nurtured ecosystems that still contain high levels of biodiversity, guided by knowledge systems refined through millennia of lived experience. This shared connection sees culture, the environment, and spirituality as deeply interconnected, forming a single foundation for how we care for Country.
For too long, however, the concept of economic development for Indigenous communities has been defined by external frameworks seen through the eyes of western policy makers, that do not consider the uniqueness of our ancient connection nor our communal property rights and decision-making processes.
True economic empowerment for Indigenous Australians must be anchored in First Nations ownership and leadership and be guided by deep ties to Country and its people and most importantly, separate to, but complimentary to social policy.
A reimagined approach suggests that the creation of wealth for First Nations is good for not just Indigenous people but also the nation as a whole.
To lessen the reliance on public overlays through a self-determined economic empowerment agenda, Australia's first people can be greater contributors to Australia's future prosperity.
Further to this, emerging economic opportunities such as Australia's transition to renewables and Made in Australia, with fiscal adjustments to bring Indigenous people into mainstream alignment and safeguard our country and future generations, alongside managing our natural resources is paramount.
A clear example of Indigenous leadership in action can be seen in the rise of the Caring for Country movement, best epitomised by the large numbers of successful Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers that manage vast swathes of Australia.
Indigenous people are now the biggest contributor to Australia's National Reserve System by declaring some of their country as an Indigenous Protected Area. These men and women of all ages integrate traditional knowledge and practice with modern conservation strategies to maintain and protect their lands.
Through meaningful employment, cultural responsibilities are fulfilled, and environmental sustainability is upheld, and, in many circumstances, they are finding economic solutions to pressing problems such as the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from Savanna fires in northern Australia or building enterprises by supplying product into supply chains like Pippis, Abalone and Southern Blue Fin Tuna. These are initiatives that the ILSC has supported and will continue to do so.
The path forward is being set by Indigenous people around the country.
Economic empowerment must be driven by Indigenous Australians, for Indigenous Australians. Doing this will benefit all of Australia.
When the custodians of these important places lead, culture, spirituality, and environmental wellbeing become guiding principles rather than afterthoughts. This approach benefits all Australians, creating a more equitable economy where Indigenous culture is respected, the environment is preserved, and local communities have real power to shape their own economic destiny.
By reimagining Indigenous futures through economic empowerment, Australia can truly honour the deep ancestral connection that has nourished this continent for tens of thousands of years. The Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation is dedicated to self-determination for Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Joe Morrison is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.
