22.5.1 Pre-colonisation trading Trade played an essential role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life before British colonisation. Extensive trade routes allowed the exchange of goods, information, technologies and culture across vast distances. Coastal communities traded abalone for both food and tools, while animal skins and artifacts with cultural significance were also commonly exchanged. Possum-skin cloaks, respected symbols worn by leaders, exemplified this trade. Technologies like hunting techniques were shared to symbolise peaceful intent between groups. Most interactions were amicable, with one group passing through another’s territory without conflict. This bartering system, effective for thousands of years, formed the basis of Indigenous economy, promoting equality and respect and preventing any one nation from becoming overly wealthy. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples valued land for survival and sustenance rather than ownership, fostering a deep respect and connection to it. 22.5.2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business support The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business sector is growing at a pace of around four per cent per year, fuelled by growing demand. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses are often established with a not-for-profit incentive. Rather, these businesses focus on maintaining community and traditions and helping others. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs have found a niche market in the areas of tourism, art, fashion, natural skin and beauty products, and cuisine. The latter is linked to cultural food tours and experiences.
Partnerships and cooperatives Many initiatives aim to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs by connecting them with like-minded organisations. Partnerships are formed when non-Indigenous businesses collaborate with these entrepreneurs to raise awareness, link with industry suppliers, or choose them as preferred suppliers through ‘partnership contracts’. This type of partnership is about cooperation rather than a formal legal structure. A cooperative is a business model
FIGURE2 Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists sell their artworks.
that favours democratic ownership and control by its users or customers. This appeals to some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs as it allows business growth while retaining a community focus. Cooperatives are typically owned by employees and/or customers, ensuring that all members benefit from the business’s success. For example, the Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative (established in 1974) is an example of a not-for- profit organisation that provides a diverse range of programs such as childcare, kindergarten, health, medical, wellbeing, housing and aged care for Aboriginal people in Robinvale.
644 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator