By Renai Mouton | CEO First Nations Worthwhile Ventures

When we talk about wealth in Australia, there’s often an assumption that everyone has had the same chance to build it. But the truth is, wealth, especially generational wealth is something that’s been historically withheld from First Nations peoples through policies, systems, and decisions that were never designed with us in mind.

From stolen wages to land dispossession, exclusion from home ownership, education, employment and business opportunities, the building blocks of long-term financial stability were deliberately denied to many of our Elders, parents, and communities. And while we can’t change the past, we must acknowledge how it continues to shape the present, especially for First Nations business owners today.

But this isn’t a deficit story.

This is a story about strength, innovation, and cultural knowledge that continues to thrive, despite the odds.

Right now, we’re seeing more and more First Nations people stepping into business ownership, creating pathways to wealth not only for themselves but for their families, communities, and the next generation.

We’re rewriting the narrative, showing that economic participation can look different, and still be powerful.

What’s important to understand, especially for those working alongside or funding First Nations businesses, is that the barriers haven’t disappeared. Many First Nations entrepreneurs still face challenges others don’t, like limited access to capital, fewer family assets to draw on, or a lack of culturally safe financial advice and business support. These aren’t just “gaps” — they’re the result of deeply rooted systems that continue to create unequal access.

And yet, we show up. We keep building. Our businesses aren’t just about profit, they’re about purpose. They’re often connected to community, culture, healing, and self-determination. When you support a First Nations business, you're not just helping

one person succeed, you're contributing to a broader movement of economic justice, empowerment, and cultural continuity.

So, let’s celebrate the progress we’re making. Let’s amplify the businesses doing incredible work. But let’s also stay honest about the work still to do, because true equity means acknowledging where the system still needs to change.

First Nations people have always had the knowledge, the skills, and the ambition. We don’t need fixing — we need access.

That’s exactly why First Nations Worthwhile Ventures exists — to walk alongside First Nations entrepreneurs and provide the tools, resources, and support they need to turn vision into action and ambition into legacy.

Because when we’re given the right conditions, we build legacies.