As a young girl growing up in a town camp in Alice Springs, I listened to the stories of my Elders and their vision for our people, our communities and our country. They had bright ideas for achieving meaningful social and economic change, but too often lacked the capital needed to make these bright ideas a reality.

This month, Aboriginal Investment NT made a landmark announcement that will alter the landscape of opportunity for Aboriginal Territorians. We launched our 5-year Strategic Investment Plan and with it unlocked $655 million to invest directly into our Aboriginal communities, businesses and projects across the Territory. This launch marked a historic transition of control from Canberran decision-makers to us, Aboriginal Territorians.

This shift in funding management is more than a financial milestone; it represents a profound commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and intergenerational wealth and wellbeing for our people. For the first time, we have Aboriginal money from mining on Aboriginal land in our own hands to shape our future on our terms. Communities will set their own goals and measure success on their own terms. Culture will be central to everything we do. This is critical to driving the change our people have long advocated for. It is the key to holistic social, economic and cultural wellbeing for our people.

Aboriginal Territorians are not just the recipients of these investments; we are the decision-makers and builders of wealth for our future generations.

As Chairwoman of Aboriginal Investment NT's Aboriginal-majority board, I am proud of what we have achieved so far but also the role we now play in deploying and investing these funds into the future. We now have the chance to show what an Aboriginal-led investment corporation can achieve when it is working for and with community. Our governance structure is underpinned by strong public accountability, as well as deep cultural understanding and lived experience of the Territory, ensuring that every dollar is deployed to benefit Aboriginal Territorians. No one understands our needs and challenges more than we do. We will use this knowledge to ensure our investments make a real difference where it is needed most.

In developing our approach, we undertook significant community consultation across the Territory to ensure we were making the appropriate changes our people wanted to see.

We landed on an approach that was both strategic and inclusive. The $655 million in capital has been thoughtfully divided into two key components: the Community Ready Fund and the Future Fund.

Our $155 million Community Ready Fund will support grant-making and investments in our own backyard. Our funding is tailored to support everything - from grassroots community initiatives and business start-ups to large-scale community-led projects and investment opportunities, leveraging government, commercial and philanthropic partners wherever possible.

Aboriginal Territorians will be at the forefront of all decision-making, regardless of the size or scale of the grant, project or investment. This is self-determination in action.

Our goal is to ensure that every corner of the Territory benefits from these activities, not only driving economic prosperity for our people, but also creating opportunities in which social and cultural wellbeing is fostered and prioritised.

In addition to the Community-Ready Fund, our Future Fund will invest $500 million in a diversified portfolio to build long-term wealth. This fund is dedicated to creating a sustainable source of capital that will continually support the Community Ready Fund.

By focusing on intergenerational wealth, we are laying the groundwork for enduring prosperity and holistic wellbeing, ensuring our future generations have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

Our vision is clear: to build strong and resilient Aboriginal communities driven by Aboriginal Territorians for Aboriginal Territorians. The potential for growth is immense.

Our culture-based industries are expanding, our population is young and vibrant, and our communities are filled with innovative ideas. Aboriginal Investment NT is committed to turning these ideas into reality, and we are excited about the future we are shaping.

This new era of self-determination is about investing in our future, our culture, and our communities. It is about giving Aboriginal Territorians the tools to shape their own future.

We are grateful for this opportunity and are dedicated to making the most of it. Together, we will drive positive change, create lasting impact, and build a future where Aboriginal people thrive in every sense.

This is the first of its kind for Aboriginal people in this country. We are excited to lead the way as Aboriginal Territorians.

Barbara Shaw is a Kaytetye, Arrernte, Warramunga and Warlpiri woman and Chairperson of Aboriginal Investment NT