To celebrate Indigenous Business Month, we asked our Instagram followers to share their favourite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. From cafes to chocolatiers, jewellery makers to furniture stores – we received a great range of businesses to explore.
There are plenty of great ways you can support your favourite business. You can leave a positive review, like and subscribe to their channels, or buy a gift for yourself or loved one.
Food
Chocolate On Purpose
Discover this premium ‘Bush Food Chocolate’, a fusion of Belgian chocolate and the best of Australian native botanicals. Proud Wiradjuri woman Fiona Harrison and her business partner run the business from Wiradjuri Country on the Central Tablelands of NSW.
With flavours from Illawarra plum and macadamia to finger lime, you can purchase Bush Food Chocolate with native botanicals online.
Clothing and accessories
Trading Blak
Shop from a range of 100% Aboriginal owned and led businesses on the Trading Blak marketplace. They feature a range of stores selling everything from beautiful accessories, striking pieces of clothing as well as wellbeing items like yoga mats and tea.
Trading Blak began in an effort to stop the exploitation of Aboriginal art, culture, people and Blak businesses.
Haus of Dizzy
Find bold, playful, statement-making jewellery that celebrates and honours Indigenous culture designed by proud Wiradjuri designer, Kristy Dickinson. Often featuring powerful political and social messages, each piece is handmade in Melbourne/Naarm.
You can shop these fabulous jewellery pieces online or find them at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Australian Museum in Sydney.
Clothing the Gaps
This Aboriginal business is a play on the words "Closing the Gap", which is an Australian Government health initiative to help close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal people and non-Indigenous Australians. They sell modern leisurewear including t-shirts, hats and socks.
If you don’t identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are unsure whether wearing some of these items classes as cultural appropriation, their ‘mob only’ and ‘ally friendly’ labels can help you understand which items are for you.
You can shop Clothing the Gaps leisurewear online.
Magpie Goose
This Aboriginal-owned business partners with First Nations artists to create powerful statement clothing. Their clothes are made ethically in Australia using environmentally conscious materials. Magpie Goose provide new economic and creative opportunities for Aboriginal people around Australia.
Welcome to Country Shop
This non-profit online marketplace is all about making each purchase count. They strive to address employment and economic development outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the proceeds from your purchase. You’ll find everything from jewellery, clothing and bags, to foods, homewares and books. The perfect place to find gifts for everyone in the family.
Homewares
Winya
Winya is a majority Indigenous-owned and controlled business selling beautiful furniture. This profit-for-purpose business supports training and employment growth with each purchase made.
Earth Jinda
Earth Jinda is a 100% Aboriginal owned & operated aromatherapy business. They specialise in pregnancy, birth and postpartum and offer culturally safe maternal support. Find affirming sprays to heal anxiety, cleansing diffuser oils and native scrubs and soaks. The perfect gift for any women in your life expecting a baby.
Services
Brolga Dance Academy
In the heart of Redfern you’ll find this cultural dance studio that specialise in Aboriginal contemporary and traditional classes. They are a 100% owned and operated Aboriginal business, using Aboriginal dance teachers and delivering an authentic culturally safe and professional service.
There’s a great variety of classes on offer for all ages. You can book Brolga Dance Academy classes online.
Dreamtime Southern X
Discover Sydney's cultural heart with a tour from this Aboriginal-owned tourism and education company. Tour leader Aunty Margret Campbell is a well-known and proud saltwater woman from Burnt Bridge in Dunghutti Country, South West Rocks New South Wales, “Muughi” (meaning Margret). The tours are designed to educate and create a mutual understanding and respect between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people grounded in cultural understanding of Dreamtime and the Australian landscape.
Book a Dreamtime Southern X tour online.
Supply Nation
If you’re after more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to support Supply Nation is an online directory for verified products, services and businesses. The organisation brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses with the procurement teams in Australia’s leading organisations to help them engage, create relationships and do more business.
NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc (NSWICC)
Similarly, the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc (NSWICC) are the peak body for Aboriginal businesses in NSW and a powerful voice for the needs of Aboriginal entrepreneurs, business owners and enterprising communities.