January 26 is not a date of celebration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and we choose to listen, reflect, and stand with them. It is a day that represents survival, loss and the ongoing impacts of colonisation that continue to shape lives and communities across Australia.

For non Indigenous Australians, it can be easy to look away or treat the day as just another public holiday. But choosing comfort over awareness allows inequality to continue. One meaningful way to show allyship is by actively supporting Indigenous owned and led businesses, not only this week, but all year round.

Below are five inspiring First Nations owned businesses using creativity, culture and community to create real change.

1.  Clothing The Gaps

Fashion with purpose

Clothing The Gaps is an Aboriginal led and controlled social enterprise co founded by Gunditjmara woman Laura Thompson and Sarah Sheridan (non-Indigenous). Known for bold designs and powerful messaging, the brand encourages people to wear their values while sparking important conversations.

Every piece is created with intention, centring Aboriginal voices while inviting non Indigenous people to learn and stand alongside community. As a certified Aboriginal business, B Corp and Ethical Clothing Australia accredited brand, Clothing The Gaps uses business as a platform for advocacy, education and lasting social change.

   

2. Bush Medijina

Traditional knowledge, modern skincare

Bush Medijina is a 100 percent First Nations owned, women led social enterprise based on Groote Eylandt. Created by Anindilyakwa women, the business blends traditional bush medicine knowledge with modern practices to provide skincare products that support health, wellbeing and employment on Country.

All profits are reinvested back into the community, funding jobs, cultural preservation and future opportunities for local women. Supporting Bush Medijina means directly supporting self-determination, cultural strength and community-led impact.

   

3. Mabu Mabu

Native ingredients at the heart of the table

Founded by Meriam woman and chef Nornie Bero, Mabu Mabu is on a mission to make native ingredients part of everyday Australian cooking. From its much loved Kara Meta pantry range to Big Esso kitchen and bare at Federation Square, the business celebrates Indigenous food culture through sharing, storytelling and connection.

Proudly First Nations owned, women led and LGBTQIA+ led, Mabu Mabu champions ethical sourcing and works closely with values aligned producers to help reshape Australia’s food culture.

 

4.  Magabala Books

Stories that shape understanding

Magabala Books is Australia’s leading First Nations publishing house, Aboriginal owned and led, and based in Rubibi, Broome. Publishing across children’s literature, memoir, fiction, poetry and social history, Magabala plays a vital role in amplifying Indigenous voices.

Each book supports Indigenous creative futures while protecting cultural and intellectual property. Buying from Magabala is an investment in truth telling, culture and the power of stories to create change.

   

5. Ngumpie Weaving

Culture woven with care

Ngumpie Weaving is a First Nations, female led weaving business founded by Tegan Murdock. Through handcrafted jewellery, custom art pieces and workshops, Tegan shares culture while creating spaces for connection, learning and healing.

Her work preserves traditional weaving practices while inviting people to sit together, listen and learn through hands on experience. Beyond the finished pieces, weaving is a way of restoring and passing on cultural knowledge, offering a gentle but powerful form of storytelling, resilience and connection for both the maker and the community around her.

   

Other ways you can show your support

Supporting Indigenous businesses is one important step, but allyship goes beyond where you spend your money. There are many ways to show up, learn and contribute to lasting chnage. 

1. Commit to learning

Take responsibility for your own education. Read books by First Nations authors, watch Indigenous films and listen to podcasts that share lived experiences. Understanding history, culture, and the ongoing challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is essential.

2. Speak up

Allyship also involves more than private reflection. Challenge racism and misinformation when you see it, whether in conversations with family, friends, or colleagues. Be open to questioning your own assumptions, recognising unconscious biases, and learning from mistakes. Growth takes accountability, patience, and a willingness to listen.

3. Give your time

If donating financially isn’t possible, giving your time can be just as valuable. Volunteering for First Nations-led organisations or supporting grassroots initiatives in justice, advocacy, or cultural preservation can make a real difference. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to building stronger, more equitable communities.

Supporting First Nations owned businesses is one way to take action, but combining it with learning, speaking up, and giving your time creates a broader impact. These choices are steps we can take this January, and every day after, to stand alongside First Nations people and help foster a more just and inclusive future.

With Love, 
Ellie xox