National forum to drive First Nations’ economic sovereignty

First Nations leaders have issued a call to action for governments and industry to work with them on building new and better policies that address the " economic apartheid " facing Indigenous Australians. This includes the creation of a new national forum with a specific focus on economic development and wealth creation for First Nations peoples. The call comes as part of the Marramarra Murru (Creating Pathways) communique issued today , following a series of landmark events in Canberra hosted by The Australian National University (ANU). The communique argues new economic policies must complement and build on the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. These policies must be negotiated and agreed between First Nations representatives and governments. "A new policy framework for First Nations economic development needs to be built by First Nations peoples and Australian governments, which focuses on economic self-determination and is part of the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart," the communique reads.   "Key ingredients for the new policy framework include a strong focus on building trust, flexibility to respond to the diverse needs and priorities of communities across Australia, recognition and support for collective ownership of assets and building capability, particularly with respect to governance." The communique notes that a growing First Nations business sector, acknowledging Indigenous Australians' intellectual property, creating better access to international trade and building a First Nations workforce for the 21st century all provide fertile opportunities for economic development.