Indigenous voices lead native food and medicine push

Joseph Guenzler Published July 31, 2025 at 2.55pm (AWST)

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Tara Croker and Murrie Kemp back Indigenous-led growth in native foods at Rockhampton symposium. (Image: Supplied)

Indigenous entrepreneurs and researchers gathered on Darumbal Country in Rockhampton this week to explore how regional communities can drive greater Indigenous involvement in the native foods sector.

The Native Resources in Foods and Medicine Symposium, hosted by CQUniversity's Jawun Research Institute, included a keynote by Wiradjuri woman and Yaala Sparkling founder Tara Croker.

Ms Croker, who left a corporate marketing career to launch her native beverage company, said it was concerning that First Nations people made up less than two per cent of the native food industry.

"That just blew my mind to think that an industry that is built on the knowledge of First Nations People involves so few of us," Ms Croker said.

"It's not just about profit and the bottom line - it's about 'how can I lift my community and how can I make positive change?'"

Ms Croker said regional communities must be equipped with training, support and market access to fully engage in the industry.

"Regional communities must be empowered with resources, training, and market access to ensure they can participate and thrive in the growing native food industry.

"These are plants that are growing in our backyards across the country - there are 6,500 edible native plants and most people could only name five."

Gugu Badhun woman and CQUniversity Jawun Research Institute Director Professor Yvonne Cadet-James said collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was valuable, but real results came through Indigenous-led work.

"It's quite evident the best outcomes are achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people apply their sovereign right to engage in practices and enterprises and continue to strengthen the evidence-based knowledge in this field," she said.

Ghungalu Elder Uncle Steve Kemp and his son Murrie Kemp presented their Gumby Gumby research with CQUniversity, which they said reflects true self-determination.

"This work we've done with CQU is true self-determination in practice," Murrie said.

"We were able to dictate at our own pace how the plant should be researched and to what extent and we've got agreements in place so that my Dad's knowledge that was handed down from his ancestors is protected."

Mr Kemp said the research model could guide similar partnerships across Australia.