The True Value of First Nations’ Community Based Enterprises
We’re thrilled to introduce our latest research paper, "The True Value of First Nations’ Community-Based Enterprises."
It provides early research findings from our Participatory Action Research (PAR) project that set out to better understand and improve our approach to monitoring and evaluating progression towards communities’ long-term Dreams. This research project brings together research yarns with nine community partners, along with a range of other insightful research and evaluation sources.
Our research shows that First Nations enterprises aim for more than just economic growth. They focus on making positive changes across generations, revitalising culture and governance, and boosting community pride and identity. The discussion paper sheds light on the significant social, cultural, and economic benefits that First Nations' community-based enterprises (CBEs) bring to their communities.
We share the dominant themes that emerged during this research.
Intergenerational Outcomes: Intergenerational outcomes are highly valued by First Nations communities. Community members want to ensure our next generations know their stories and are proud of their culture and where they come from. This research highlights the importance of activities that support all community members, particularly younger generations. In turn, this ensures the transfer of knowledge, stories, and cultural practices within the community.
Consideration of wise and land-based practices is vital: wise and land-based practices are embedded in Indigenous cultures. Each community is unique. What works for one community might not work for another. Wise and land-based practices include historical knowledge and connection to Country. It also recognises that cultural identity is interwoven with and connected to land.
The social outcomes contributed by CBEs are of equal, or greater, benefit than financial outcomes: First Nations enterprises aim for more than just economic growth. They focus locally to strengthen identity and culture across generations. They incorporate values-based or family-based practices that are community driven rather than financially focused.
We need a different model of monitoring and evaluating First Nations CBEs to include what’s most important to First Nations communities – social outcomes: We emphasise the importance of measuring the overall success of these community businesses, including their impact on culture, health, economic growth, and education. Understanding this success helps guide future initiatives and investments, making sure they are effective and beneficial for the community.
We want to make sure that First Nations CBEs are valued, better understood and receive the support they need to thrive.
We invite you to delve into the discussion paper and share your thoughts on the findings. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to develop practices that support First Nations’ communities and enterprises.
You also might like to share your insights by participating in our brief questionnaire.