You have heard it before, but supporting local business is now more important than ever!
And we are especially lucky in Australia, and South Australia, to have so many local Aboriginal businesses to support in our current economy.
An Aboriginal business can be defined as an ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned business that has at least one owner who identifies as being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin’, and there was estimated to be more than 16,000 Aboriginal-owned businesses in Australia in 2016.
Not only are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses brimming with knowledge unique to their culture, they are also known to reinvest revenue in communities and create economic independence, giving us even more reason to support their business ventures.
Here, we have listed five Australian Aboriginal businesses you can choose from to support next time you’re in need of anything from botanicals to photography.
- Warndu
Warndu, meaning ‘good’ in the Adnyamathanha language, is a South Australian Aboriginal business known for their sustainable native products including food and botanicals. Founders Rebecca Sullivan and Damien Coulthard are passionate about recognising their heritage by using native plants, nuts, seeds and proteins to create their products.
While Rebecca is a food curator, activist, food writer, urban farmer and entrepreneur, Damien is a passionate high school teacher from the Adnyamathanha country who is very connected to his heritage and culture.
You can shop Warndu’s products here
- Shop Homelands
Shop Homelands are one of the newest kids on the block. Founded in 2020, Shop Homelands is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated business, created to support Indigenous small businesses and social enterprises. All their products are sourced directly from remote Indigenous communities such as traditional bush medicines, skincare, hair care products, clothing and accessories, art, bush foods, books, jewellery and more.
Tarra Liddy is a 33-year-old Arrernte/Luritja mother from Alice Springs, and the founder of Shop Homelands. She is passionate about preserving Indigenous Knowledges, and believes this knowledge is crucial to maintaining young people’s connections to country and culture.
You can use Shop Homelands to shop Aboriginal business’ products here.
- Tiger Yaltangki
Tiger Yaltangki is an Indigenous South Australian contemporary artist from Indulkana in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yakunytjatjara (APY) Lands. He is well known for his bold and bright canvases, which blend Yaltangki’s rendering of the Pitjantjatjara Mamu (supernatural spirits) and his passion for rock and roll music.
Yaltangki has been featured in assorted exhibitions, including the Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art 2015, the 2016 Adelaide Biennial – Magic Object exhibition and the Darkness on the Edge of Town.
You can find his work available for purchase here
ABC also wrote an informative article on buying Indigenous art fairly and transparently, you can read it here.
- Tandanya Café
The Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute opened its brand-new not-for-profit community-run café in February this year, which seats up to 100 people. It actively works with the Tauondi Aboriginal Community College in Port Adelaide to provide training in hospitality to First Nations individuals.
Serving up quality Australian native produce, Indigenous-owned Something Wild supplies the Tandanya Café with Australian game cuts, while their fruit is sourced from Arnhem land. Tandanya café is located at 253 Grenfell Street, you can find their website here.
- Nharla Photography
Nharla’s Facebook page describes her services as offering family, babies, weddings and modelling portfolios that are beautiful and creative in Adelaide and Regional South Australia, but her photography is so much more than that.
One look at this Facebook page and you will be drawn into the most stunning photography. Filled with captivating portraits and family shots, Nharla’s photography truly grasps the passion and beauty behind Aboriginal people in some of South Australia’s most beautiful locations.
You can find Nharla’s services here.
Featured image is by Nharla Photography.
Of course, there are plenty more businesses you can support and this list is only a brief snapshot into the remarkable goods and services available across SA and Australia, so look out for your local artisans and entrepreneurs, and drop a link in the comments if you know of a business we should check out.
Upside Adelaide 