Tribute PaidTo Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander In Business

Twenty national Indigenous Business Month events will take place in October exhibiting different talents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women entrepreneurs from various business sectors.

It is part of the 2018 National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) theme, Because of Her, We Can.

The aim is to encourage more  indigenous women to start joining business developments and innovations while focusing on their roles and leadership.

The alumni of Melbourne Business School’s MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class started the initiative of celebrating the Indigenous Business Month. They see this event as a way to provide positive role models the Indigenous communities.

Ever since the launch of Indigenous Business Month in the year 2015, the indigenous business sector has been one of the fastest growing areas in Australia contributing over a billion dollars in goods and services in the national economy.

Jason Eades, the Director and Consulting at Social Ventures Australia and Indigenous Business Month 2018 host, said:

“Indigenous entrepreneurs are showing the rest of the world that we can do business and do it well, whilst maintaining our strong cultural values.”

Statistics show that only 51.5% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders women participate in the workforce compared to men having 65%.

The Australian Government continues to exert efforts to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander In Businesswomen to maximise their potential and increase the number of women joining the business industry.

Michelle Evans, MURRA Program Director AND Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of Melbourne, explained:

“This year it is more significant than ever to support the female Indigenous business community and provide a platform for them to network and encourage young Indigenous women to consider developing a business as a career option.”

Indigenous Business Month runs from October 1 to October 31.