Every current, one channel.
A national online forum convened by Barayamal, bringing Elders, entrepreneurs, researchers and policy leaders together around the questions that shape the First Nations economy — one question a year, worked through in one sitting, kept as a public record.
The river the forum reads: capital is running below the line.
today 0 1% 2% 3% 4% The pledge line — 3% Population share — 3.8%
One sitting, source to sea.
Ask one question
Each edition takes a single question facing the First Nations economy — named plainly, before it is framed for us by someone else.
Work it through
Keynotes, panels and practical workshops in one sitting — from the problem, to what practitioners are doing, to the policy road ahead.
Keep the record
Free to attend from community, country or city — and every edition stays online as a public record of what was said and by whom.
Four pools on the river.
Access to Capital
Examining the financial barriers facing First Nations businesses and communities — lending, investment, Indigenous financial institutions and community-controlled capital.
2026 details & reminder →Empowering Communities through STEM
Three panels on how science, technology, engineering and mathematics can support community development, self-determination and employment — opened by a keynote from Jennifer Corpuz.
What’s the cost of Indigenous identity fraud?
Elders, entrepreneurs, researchers and policy leaders examined how identity fraud diverts opportunity from First Nations communities — and what can be done about it.
View the 2024 forum →The first forum
A broadcast on decolonising Indigenous economies, after opening registrations in late 2021 under the name First Nations Economic Summit.
Register your interest →Inside the 2024 sitting: the room, on the day.
One question, seven sessions, eleven speakers and sixty-six participants. These are the programme cards from that day — kept here because the record is the point.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this page contains images of people who may have passed away.
The economy is where self-determination is won or lost.
Set the agenda
Name the issues shaping the First Nations economy before they are framed for us by someone else.
Platform First Nations voices
Elders, entrepreneurs, researchers and policy leaders speaking directly, not through intermediaries.
Turn talk into practice
Every edition includes practical strategy sessions aimed at organisations, buyers and founders.
Keep a public record
Each forum stays online as a record of the programme, the speakers and the questions raised.
Put the hard question in the middle of the room, and put First Nations voices around it.
The format — in one line
The waters meet again on Thursday 15 October 2026.
“Access to Capital” streams live 1:00–3:00pm AEDT (12:00pm Brisbane · 12:30pm Adelaide · 10:00am Perth) and is free to watch. Future editions will be posted on this page and in Barayamal news. Get in touch if you would like to speak, partner or attend.