We believe that First Nations Entrepreneurship can change the world for the better.
Barayamal is a First Nations-owned and led Australian non-profit focused on the belief that First Nations Entrepreneurship can change the world for the better. We back Indigenous entrepreneurship through education, mentoring, networks and advocacy.
We build culturally strong and commercially sound pathways, and we work with community, industry, government and universities to create real impact.
Our organisation provides support and education that empowers First Nations entrepreneurship.
What we do
- Programs & mentoring: Practical learning, founder communities and support that help mob start and scale.
- Events & research: Forums, workshops and thought leadership that shift systems and procurement in favour of First Nations entrepreneurship.
- Advocacy & accountability: We champion Reconciliaction (real action over symbolism) through platforms and campaigns that make it easy to step up.
Our advocacy platforms
- 3% Pledge: A public commitment inviting organisations to dedicate at least three per cent of relevant spend, opportunities or visibility to First Nations people and businesses.
- First Nations Job Board: A national hub connecting First Nations talent and employers across Australia, Canada and beyond.
- Barayamal Reviews: A community‑voice platform to rate and review organisational actions and policies, lifting transparency (reviews.barayamal.com.au).
- Petitions & campaigns: A Do Gooder hub that helps community and allies drive change on issues that matter (barayamal.good.do).
- Reconciliaction resources: Clear guidance on practical steps organisations can take—see “Reconciliation vs Reconciliaction” (barayamal.com.au/reconciliation-vs-reconciliaction/).
How we work
We are values‑led and outcomes‑focused.
Our culture centres community, accountability, transparency and collaboration.
We measure success by the outcomes for community.
Indigenous peoples make up about 5% of the world’s population while protecting much of the world’s biodiversity. Supporting genuine First Nations entrepreneurship is also about backing knowledge systems, community governance and long-term stewardship.
The meaning of Barayamal
Barayamal means Black Swan in the Gamilaraay language.
Before the colonisation of Australia, Europeans only taught kids in school about the white swan until Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh discovered what First Nations peoples had known for millenniums: that there were also black-feathered swans (black swans).
This forced Europeans to reconsider and change their perceptions about what a swan means.
In this instance, the black swan represents First Nations entrepreneurship, which is not recognised in the Western business world because of current perceptions.
Barayamal exists to show that First Nations Entrepreneurship can change the world for the better.