And that’s true. I believe all successful Aboriginal people will give back to their community. You can’t have success and not want to give back. It is a reminder of where I’ve come from and where I’m going and what I can achieve.
Note. Message Stick aims to be a role model for other aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs who wish to engage with our economy by doing business with Australian and global companies.
What do you believe is your organization’s value proposition – what makes your organization special?
I never think along these lines. We don’t do marketing or advertising. I suppose the journey we took to get here is what makes us unique. What makes us special, I think it’s because we do business from a commercial perspective and the focus is not on being an Aboriginal business. Our team have a positive approach to business and we are experienced, skilled and driven in what we do and that’s why we succeed.
Why is it important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people step into roles like CEO of Indigenous organisations?
The importance is for our youth. We need to leave them with a successful economic environment by which they will think outside of welfare dependency and this extends right throughout community and Australia. We won’t make changes in our health or wellness if we don’t. We owe it to them. I think it’s so important to move away from welfare dependency. It may not be the silver bullet, it may work for some and not others but in my opinion, it is very destructive.
What are the top 3 values you hold with respect to developing Indigenous leadership?
1. Integrity
2. Vision and aspirations – You ‘gotta’ have that
3. Innovation – Think outside the square! What’s worked for the last ten years may not work now
What have some of the challenges you (or your organisation) have had to overcome and what tips would you give to others that may be facing the same challenges?
Don’t give up! Persevere! I think we, as Aboriginal people, are a really staunch and determined lot. Even if we make bad choices we’ll stand by them. As long as you want to do something to change your life for the better, go head and be a stubborn bastard. Stand by your choices. Reflect on our youth. Don’t give up.
What role will the development of Indigenous leaders play over the next 5 – 10 years?
Transformation – that’s our role. Depending on how innovative we are and what we bring to the table as leaders of community, that’ll be what our youth take forward. We are beholden to get this right. Our credibility depends on us making the right decisions now so as our youth have opportunities in the future. As leaders we can create pathways.
As an Indigenous leader, what are your top 3 tips for anyone thinking about creating development programs for Indigenous people?
1. If you have a great idea, run it by someone – you don’t have to do it all by yourself. There are resources including, mentors out there that can potentially help you with it. Look out for good advice and support.
2. Get yourself a champion or a coach. There are so many successful people out there that may want to assist you. Someone who can help you through the challenges
3. Don’t give up! I failed successfully!