Indigenous Management Group has been appointed as the service provider to deliver a new Indigenous business support program ‘Trading Tacks’ in Western Australia with their newly established IMG Charity.
Trading Tracks, a 3 year pilot program developed by the Local Buying Foundation, is an initiative to directly support Indigenous businesses being delivered in the Town of Port Hedland and Shire of East Pilbara.
Indigenous Management Group will engage and collaborate with key regional partners and stakeholders to develop effective strategies to create strong, sustainable Indigenous businesses within the Pilbara region. Inclusive engagement with the region’s Traditional Owners throughout the 3-year program is essential to foster inclusiveness and empowerment and ensure the program meets Indigenous business needs.
Indigenous Management Group’s Managing Director, Judd Harris, is a Wongutha man from the Goldfields, and is passionate about working with Aboriginal enterprises that enhance local communities.
“We are humbled that the Local Buying Foundation and BHP have appointed Indigenous Management Group as the service provider for WA Trading Tracks, and acknowledge their investment into a program that will strengthen Aboriginal organisations in the Pilbara.
Over the coming months, our team’s focus is on designing an approach that is responsive to the local context and has the foundations of respect, collaboration, and impact. We will be engaging Pilbara Traditional Owner groups throughout the program, and with Kariyarra, Palyku, Yinhawangka, Nyiyarpali, Nyamal, Banjima peoples as we establish our presence.
Indigenous Management Group measures its performance on the achievements of businesses and business owners that we work with, and are excited to see what outcomes can be accomplished through the delivery of WA Trading Tracks.”
The Local Buying Foundation, in partnership with BHP, are very proud to be a part of this new initiative and support Indigenous Management Group in the pilot project.
Steven Dhu, Managing Director of Aboriginal United Services, and trusted Local Buying Foundation Advisory Committee member said that “The Trading Tracks initiative will be a welcome support to Aboriginal businesses in Pilbara region and beyond. The intent is to support budding entrepreneurs and Aboriginal businesses to develop their businesses to be active players in industry. It is hoped that Aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs use the program to facilitate their strategic growth and develop lasting partnerships with key industry leaders.”
Trading Tracks, as a National program, commenced in Queensland in 2022.The Local Buying Foundation, with the support of BHP, developed Trading Tracks to enhance the economic participation of locally based, small-to-medium Indigenous enterprises in identified regions.
Contact:
For more information about Western Australia Trading Tracks visit:
www.watt.org.au
For general enquiries:
enquiries@watt.org.au | Phone: 1800 464 464
Image: Judd Harris IMG CEO, Kelly Cooke, C-Res Indigenous Business Development Principal, Damian Cooper IMG Senior Business Advisor