The First Nations Bushfood & Botanical Alliance Australia (FNBBAA) has relaunched with plans to develop a national certification mark for First Nations bushfoods and botanicals and strengthen protection of Indigenous knowledge.
The alliance is rebuilding its membership, strengthening governance and developing industry partnerships after a brief pause in operations.
Recent funding will support implementation of its five-year strategic plan for 2027-2031, with the aim of becoming the national First Nations voice for the bushfoods and botanicals industry.
Ngangiwumirr and Eastern Arrernte Elder and FNBBAA chairwoman, Rayleen Brown, outlined the alliance's commitment to governance and accountability.
"FNBBAA is resetting, rebuilding, and moving forward," Ms Brown said.
"We intend to earn the confidence of First Nations businesses, industry, and government through strong governance, accountability, and delivery."
The alliance's first action will be developing a framework for authenticity, provenance and traceability to underpin what it describes as Australia's first national certification mark for First Nations bushfoods and botanicals.
Its priorities include protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge, supporting ethical partnerships and fair benefit sharing, and connecting First Nations businesses with government, industry, research and markets.
Ms Brown warned that growing commercial interest in native plants must respect Indigenous knowledge and connection to Country.
"As interest grows in native plants, research, agriculture, genetics, and commercialisation, we must ensure Indigenous ecological knowledge is not simply extracted and turned into somebody else's commercial asset," Ms Brown said.
"Economic growth cannot come at the expense of Country, culture or our knowledge."
For growers, harvesters and producers, the alliance will advocate for stronger pathways into markets and supply chains.
Emerging businesses will be supported through connections to capability development, finance, procurement and opportunities to grow.
For established businesses, FNBBAA aims to open national and international opportunities while strengthening recognition of authentic First Nations products and businesses.
The alliance will also advocate for Traditional Owners and knowledge holders to have their cultural authority, knowledge and connection to Country respected as the industry grows.
Its goal is to ensure First Nations knowledge that contributes to economic value results in genuine partnerships and fair benefits.
Ms Brown outlined her hopes for members and First Nations leadership within the industry.
"Five years from now, I want a First Nations business owner to be able to say that belonging to FNBBAA helped their business access new markets, build stronger partnerships, and gain greater recognition for the work they do," she said.
"First Nations people cannot simply be another stakeholder sitting at the edge of the table.
"We must be part of its leadership."
FNBBAA was established in 2020 following discussions among 120 Indigenous attendees at the inaugural Indigenous Native Foods Symposium in Sydney in November 2019.
A National Indigenous Bushfood Statement issued after the symposium called for the formation of a national Indigenous-led industry body.
A working group of 24 Indigenous people from across Australia subsequently worked to establish the alliance.
Those interested in joining FNBBAA or receiving participation updates are being encouraged to complete the membership interest survey.
