Indigenous Native Grain Network

Grant Amount: $150,000

Region: National

Delivered by: Black Duck Foods

Year funded: 2022

Project status: Complete

The Challenge

Despite their nutritional benefits, environmental sustainability, and cultural significance, native grains have been largely overlooked in mainstream agriculture in Australia. This oversight has led to a lack of proper infrastructure, market access, and economic opportunities for First Nations communities who possess Traditional Knowledge and skills in cultivating these grains.

Additionally, native grains have many ecological advantages, such as their ability to sequester carbon and enhance soil health. There is also a need for ethical and responsible frameworks that allow First Nations people to reclaim and benefit from their ancestral agricultural practices while overcoming barriers related to scalability and market integration.

The Innovation

Black Duck Foods (BDF) is a First Nations social enterprise dedicated to steering Australian agriculture towards a more sustainable and inclusive future for First Nations people. They are innovating from landscape management to market levels, bringing culturally significant domesticated food products to market and supporting a national network of First Nations communities. This initiative leverages traditional culture and knowledge for both economic and ecological benefits. As Chris Harris, Black Duck Foods Farm Manager, puts it, they are "forming and telling a new yarn about a very old story."

Sustainable Table granted $150,000 to BDF to support the development of the Aboriginal Native Grain Network. This project is a crucial step towards reinvigorating the ancient industry of native grains by developing processes, governance structures, research partnerships, and pilots grounded in cultural self-determination.

With the growing interest in native grains, this work is crucial for ensuring the ethical and responsible progression of the native grains industry. It builds a network of First Nations communities and stakeholders engaged in the native grains space, addressing intersectionality and overcoming barriers that hinder Traditional Owner groups from participating in the bush foods industry

This strategic and governance work is being developed alongside significant advancements in the native grains industry. These include a pilot project to bring select native grain flour and munyang tubers to market, refining every step of the supply chain, researching the nutritional constituents of grains, and co-designing cultural protocols with partners such as CSIRO and Terry Janke Co.

Why did Sustainable Table fund this project?

Sustainable Table funded BDF because of their unparalleled expertise and extensive network in the field of Indigenous agriculture. The BDF team collaborates daily with research teams, First Nations groups, NGOs, and academics, leveraging deep knowledge and established partnerships. This project builds on existing research and aims to establish a national Indigenous-controlled body for grains in Australia, addressing a critical gap in the food system. BDF's connections span local and national levels, making them a pivotal player in this space.

The project seeks to invest in the future of the Australian food system and Indigenous leadership, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge and practices are at the forefront of the grains industry. Led by Uncle Bruce Pascoe, who commands tremendous respect across First Nations communities, BDF is poised to ensure First Nations people maintain control and benefit from Indigenous foods.

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