A national gathering of Aboriginal business leaders has adopted a new statement defining how proof of Aboriginality should be determined in business and economic contexts, in a move aimed at protecting the integrity of procurement, enterprise, and funding programs.

The agreement, endorsed at the Aboriginal Economic Development Forum (AEDF 12) in Darwin, was facilitated by Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network chief executive Naomi Anstess. Presented under the title Blak & Bold - Our Position on Proof of Aboriginality, it declares that proof "protects identity, ensures fairness, and upholds Aboriginal community authority in business, contracting, and economic development contexts."

Delegates agreed that access to economic benefit "carries the burden of proof," and reaffirmed that identity must meet all three established criteria of Aboriginality: descent, self-identification, and community recognition. Certification, they said, should only be approved by Aboriginal-controlled organisations with cultural authority. The statement explicitly rejects "any conversation of blood quantum or genetic measurement" as a basis for identity.

Throughout the discussion, Anstess guided a conversation that was both practical and personal.

"We are trying to make sure that non-Aboriginal people aren't taking advantage of opportunities designed to help our people break out of poverty," she told participants.

"If you want to start a business, start a business. But if you're becoming Black to start a business, then that doesn't make sense."

Delegates reached consensus that statutory declarations and self-issued certificates are not valid evidence of identity.

"Stat decks aren't safe," Anstess said. "I don't care if you went to the policeman in your local community. He doesn't get to decide if you're Aboriginal or not."

Speakers also warned against traditional owner groups certifying individuals from other regions without adequate verification. Some organisations have been excluded from the certification process for approving applications without evidence of ancestry or community ties.

"We've got to stop taking people at face value," one participant said.

While the tone was firm, there was compassion for those disconnected from community through removal or displacement. Delegates supported an exemption pathway for people able to demonstrate descent and efforts to reconnect.

"We don't want to recolonise through the proof process," Anstess said. "We have to be sensitive, but also robust."

Concerns were also raised about individuals identifying later in life and moving into influential roles without community accountability.

"They make decisions and don't understand how it impacts the very communities they claim to belong to," one participant said.

"That's an ethics question and an integrity question."

The forum agreed that national consistency was needed, but not a new bureaucracy.

"We need a shared set of principles," Anstess said, "so that proof of identity is grounded in culture but consistent across jurisdictions."

The forum drew attendance from around 300 Aboriginal enterprises, traditional owner groups, land councils, government representatives and peak advocacy organisations

The Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network will take the consensus forward to inform national certification standards through the emerging National Indigenous Business Network Alliance.

At the close of the session, the adopted definition was confirmed:

"Within a business context, proof of Aboriginality ensures integrity in Aboriginal procurement, enterprise and funding opportunities.

We affirm that access to benefit carries the burden of proof.

Proof protects identity, ensures fairness, and upholds Aboriginal community authority in business, contracting, and economic development contexts.

We wholly reject any conversation of blood quantum or genetic measurement as a basis for identity.

Certification requires all three tests of Aboriginality - descent, self-identification, and community recognition - approved only by Aboriginal-controlled organisations with legitimate cultural authority.

We support an exemption pathway for those disconnected by colonisation, guided by Elders and community, not by bureaucracy.

Underpinned by set of agreed principles - we call for national consistency, Aboriginal governance, and cultural integrity in all certification and business verification processes."