Against a backdrop of growing national focus on Northern Australia's defence capability, Indigenous business DICE has emerged as one of the Territory's standout success stories after taking home the Chief Minister's Award for Excellence in the Indigenous Business category at the 2026 NT Defence Week 2026 AIDN NT Awards.

Held recently during NT Defence Week 2026, the win reflects not just a single achievement, but a sustained commitment to excellence, capability and cultural strength.

For Director Raymond Pratt, the recognition was a reflection of the people around him.

"From a personal standpoint, it's fantastic to be recognised for the work we do day in, day out," Pratt said.

"More importantly, it's great recognition for the team; they put in a huge amount of effort, and it's important that gets acknowledged not just internally, but by their peers and the broader industry."

Mr Pratt said DICE was built with a clear vision from the beginning.

"DICE was built from the ground up with a belief that Indigenous businesses could lead in highly technical and demanding industries while still staying true to community, culture and purpose," he said. "This award reinforces that journey."

This year's theme, Northern Capability, National Defence, speaks directly to the Territory's growing importance in supporting Australia's defence readiness, particularly as investment and infrastructure continue to expand across Northern Australia.

Mr Pratt believes Indigenous businesses are playing a critical role in shaping that future.

"Indigenous businesses bring credibility, local knowledge, and long-term commitment to the regions they operate in," he said. "Many are deeply connected to community and place, which strengthens workforce participation and regional capability."

He also pointed to the impact of stronger procurement policies in creating pathways for Indigenous enterprises to grow within the sector.

"There are strong procurement policies in place, particularly in the Northern Territory, and it's been great to see how that has supported the growth of capable Indigenous businesses in the defence sector," Mr Pratt said.

"That sends a strong message across the country that Indigenous businesses are reliable, capable, and a safe pair of hands when it comes to delivering critical work."

The award also reflects the growing strength of Indigenous participation across industries once seen as difficult to access. From defence infrastructure and logistics through to highly technical operational delivery, businesses like DICE are helping redefine what Indigenous excellence looks like in modern Australia.

As investment into the north continues to accelerate, so too does the opportunity for Territory-based Indigenous businesses to lead, employ locally and create long-term economic impact within their own communities.

The timing of DICE's win is particularly significant, coming as Defence moves to establish a new Defence-Ready Indigenous Supplier List aimed at strengthening Indigenous participation across major infrastructure, maintenance and remediation projects nationally.

The initiative is expected to support Indigenous businesses in accessing Defence-related opportunities valued above $4 million, spanning sectors including heavy civil, marine, fuel, utilities, engineering services and environmental remediation.

For businesses like DICE, it signals a broader shift from conversation to action.

The capability already exists in the Territory. Indigenous businesses are proving every day that they can deliver complex, high-value work with professionalism, consistency and accountability.

Now the challenge is ensuring more Indigenous enterprises are not only invited into the room, but positioned to lead, partner and grow within one of Australia's most significant economic and strategic sectors.

Looking ahead, Mr Pratt said DICE remains focused on empowering people and building long-term opportunity.

"We're focused on building a business that is sustainable, scalable, and capable of lasting well beyond any one individual," he said.

As the north continues to play an increasingly important role in national defence, the success of DICE sends a clear message to industry and government alike; Indigenous businesses are defence ready.