Case studies We asked four successful Indigenous entrepreneurs how their First Nations identity influenced their approach to business – how it drove their business objective, their connection to country and community and their export experience.
The Centre for Appropriate Technology Satellite Enterprises
Peter Renehan Chief Executive Officer The Centre for Appropriate Technology Satellite Enterprises (CfAT Satellite Enterprises) is Australia’s first and only Aboriginal-owned and operated ground segment service provider. CfAT Satellite Enterprises manages a 38-hectare site on which it hosts satellite ground stations, and partners with service providers to support outcomes for Indigenous communities around Australia. Based in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
Q. What’s been the driving objective for your company? Our main objective is to ensure Aboriginal people are active participants in the global space industry. We provide access and exposure to the infrastructure, technology and solutions associated with aerial perspectives, where Aboriginal people can interact, engage and modify the technology to meet their aims. It’s important to realise that space is not something new to Aboriginal people. Before Google Maps and other aerial perspectives We know that Aboriginal people are creative solution finders who innately view and understand Country (their land) from an aerial perspective, and we believe it’s our responsibility to create a conduit to not only inspire the next generation but share this capability and understanding with Australia and the rest of the world, including leadership
of Earth were freely available, Aboriginal people not only saw Country (their land) from an aerial perspective but communicated this information for many generations - through paintings, artifacts, stories and songs and land management perspectives such as bushfire management. Q: How have you addressed the needs of your staff and local community? As an Aboriginal organisation, the needs of our staff and local community require flexibility, varied communication and the ability
to translate and contextualise relationships and cultural obligations to each other and our stakeholders. In relation to our business model, this means finding multiple ways to translate our values and perspectives knowing that English is at times a second, third or even fourth language. We have successfully developed an almost 80 per cent Aboriginal workforce utilising guiding and cultural values that are core to Aboriginal people to create a safe learning and working environment in which staff are comfortable.
with other Indigenous groups more broadly.
Peter Renehan CEO Centre for Appropriate Technology Satellite Enterprises
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business envoy
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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