Symposium to examine Australian bush food industry

Australia's first symposium aimed at increasing Indigenous participation in the Australian bush food industry begins in Sydney today.

The National Indigenous Bush Food Symposium is funded by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, and delivered by First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation and UTS Business School.

More than 150 people are expected to attend the event, which will include workshops and information sessions identifying barriers faced by Indigenous people as they enter the Australian native foods industry.

"The bush food market is  valued at $20 million annually but it is estimated  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up only 1 to 2 per cent of the market presence and we're keen to work together to improve this," said Bidjigal man Peter Cooley, chief executive of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation.

"A new bush food collaboration is hitting the market almost on a weekly basis, such as Something Wild's Green Ant Gin and Connoisseur Ice Cream's Australian Native range. I can see this industry absolutely exploding, but our people need to be part of that explosion," he said.

The symposium will offer information sessions on topics including analysing market trends, establishing supply chains, identifying international opportunities and asserting legal rights over knowledge, plants and foods.

UTS Business School's associate dean, Professor Robynne Quiggin, said the symposium also aims to build a greater working knowledge of relevant Commonwealth, state and territory legislation, in addition to domestic protocols and international mechanisms relating to bush foods.

"This information enables us to make informed choices about knowledge, species and country, and insist on proper processes for consent and equitable sharing in any commercial benefits," she said. 

Every bush food has its own creation story, its own song and dance and cultural knowledge that has been handed down by our ancestors for thousands of years.

Pat Torres

Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Chairman, Eddie Fry, said the organisation has a keen focus on opening up markets for niche Indigenous products and particularly bush foods.

“The ILSC believes it is very important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to understand the value of their cultural knowledge, and to learn how to turn that knowledge into a successful commercial venture,” he said.

“We have provided funding for projects in the bush foods sector across the country which are having some great success, and we hope that those stories will inform and inspire others.”

One such success story is the Northern Australia Aboriginal Kakadu Plum Alliance (NAAKPA), which has grown to be the largest Traditional Owner-led bush food supply chain in Australia.

Member Pat Torres of Djugun, Yawuru, Ngumbarl/Jabirr-Jabirr, NyulNyul, Bardi and Karajarri descent in Western Australia’s Kimberley region will speak at the symposium about protecting family and culture while growing a commercial bush food business.

“Every bush food has its own creation story, its own song and dance and cultural knowledge that has been handed down by our ancestors for thousands of years,” she said.

“The challenge for us is how do we bring our ancient foods into a contemporary industry while maintaining our connection to our culture, because for us, it’s not just about money, it’s about our identity.”

At the conclusion of the symposium, a number of resolutions will be put to attendees on the way forward for Aboriginal people to work together in the bush food sector.

The symposium will be followed by the Twilight Blak Markets at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern, where Indigenous groups from across the country will showcase their bush foods and other products.