It’s almost invasion day, and there are so many deadly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, big and small, that it would really be impossible to cover them all in a single article.
You should be Trading Blak and be sure to follow Blak Business on Instagram for the latest on Blak companies killing it out there. But here are some Blak companies ranging from fashion to groceries to education that you can support in Invasion Day and always.
Supporting the Blak business is not just about showing your solidarity with the To wear rallies on invasion day in the coming week on the chest. It’s about supporting indigenous innovation and autonomy and giving something back to the peoples and communities on whose land we all live.
The Minority Co was founded by Indya Hayes as part of the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 brought to life. Your range on invasion day has just gone down and it’s deadly like. Order here online in her shop.
Ngali is a fashion label owned and designed by Wiradjuri woman Denni Francisco. Her stunning indigenous designs include scarves, dresses, and tops – and her work has been featured in Elle, Marie Claire, and on runways around the world. The brand is high-end and full of Blak pride.
Apparel The Gap is a Meanjin-based fashion brand that took Australia and the world by storm last year. Their deadly designs not only stand up for the justice of the Aborigines, but also consistently put their resources back into their community. As a seasoned addict, I can vouch for the incredible quality, variety of sizes and fair prices. This mob also always uses its platform to express itself and to educate. Plus, it’s never too late to shop for threads for the next invasion day.
Kirrikin is an Aboriginal resort apparel brand founded by award-winning Wonnarua businesswoman Amanda Healy. Healy founded the label in response to the proliferation of phony Aboriginal art that is sold worldwide. The designs promote the work of indigenous artists, and all profits are shared. As a Wonnarua woman, I couldn’t be more proud to see a woman from my own crowd investing in our art and the survival of our culture.
Gammin Threads is a deadly brand owned by Tahnee, a proud descendant of the nations Yorta Yorta, Taungurung, Boonwurrung & Mutti Mutti, was founded. Her nifty typographic designs have even been worn by legends like Miranda Tapsel and Nakkiah Lui. Gammin also indicates which of her clothing is suitable for mob and which is suitable for allies. If you’re reading this you have to accept that there are many brands on this list that I am obsessed with
Damien Coulthard is an Adnyamathanha man who founded Warndu with his wife, Rebecca Sullivan. Warndu is a company whose mission is to provide resources and products to educate people about cooking and consuming foods made from indigenous ingredients in the land of Adnyamathanha. Their website has recipes for everything from cakes to cocktails – all made with local ingredients. They also sell indigenous teas, oils, and herbs to die for.
Founded by Sharon Winsor, a woman from Ngemba Weilwan in western NSW, Indigiearth serves top quality bush foods made from authentic Australian produce for ethical reasons are produced and harvested sustainably. The range includes candy, coffee, skin care products, candles, essential oils and much more which can be ordered through Indigieearth’s website.
Chocolate on Purpose makes handcrafted chocolate from Millthorpe, NSW. The artisanal chocolate shop is the dream of Fiona, a proud Wiradjuri native on her way home to connect with her mob. Flavors use combinations of bush food like Daalgaal (Illawarra Plum), Garal (Wattleseed), Boombera (Macadamia Nut), and Wyrrung (Wild Rosella) and many others. Order from their delicious range to refuel via their website after attending your local Invasion Day rally.
Created and owned by Kaurareg Ms. Pina. Pina creates adorable accessories out of wool. Her collections include hair ties, bandanas with earrings – and all of them are available here in her Etsy shop.
Like Pina, Rosé Creations is on Etsy. Rosé Creations belongs to and was designed by a Bundjalung woman. She offers a stunning selection of jewelry that can be worn by both mob and allies.
House of Dizzy is a force to be reckoned with. Drew Barrymore has even worn them to red carpet events. Creator Kristy Dickinson is a proud Wiradjuri woman with 20 years of jewelry making experience. She created the brightly bold label in 2015. Like Gammin Threads, Haus of Dizzy has products especially for mobs and especially for allies, but everything is deadly.
WANGKATHAA BEAUTY was created by the proud Wongi woman Kinta-Rose and is a small, indigenously owned cosmetics company. The products are cruelty free and include a wide range of shine products, artificial eyelashes, beauty sponges and much more. Check out her website here.
Lowanna Natural Skincare’s founder, Sinead, is a proud descendant of Narungga on the Yorke Peninsula. All of their company’s products are made from locally sourced ingredients, are vegan friendly, and cruelty free. Check out the range of cleansers, creams, clay masks and much more on their website here.
Creator Amanda Watts is a proud Kungarakan woman (NT Finniss River) who had the vision of using local, natural skin care and creating simple ingredients that evoke a love of their heritage. Paperbark Love is indigenously owned, handcrafted and can be ordered on the website here.
Artist Charlotte Allingham is a 27-year-old Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa queer woman. Through her work, she questions the perception of her people and creates in a variety of media. Allingham’s Invasion Day themed pieces are amazing. Her online store includes incredible prints, comics, tattoo designs and more.
Rachael Sarra is a contemporary Aboriginal artist from the Goreng Goreng Country. Her style is feminine, fun and engaging, but shaped heavily by her heritage and role as an Aboriginal woman in a modern world. Get her bubbly prints and typography on notebooks, bags, canvas and calendars in her shop here.
iBobbly is a self-help app for the social and emotional wellbeing of young Aboriginal and islanders of Torres Strait. Developed by mob for mob from different communities, IBobbly is a trial version of the world’s first suicide prevention app, specially developed for use by indigenous peoples on mobile phones or tablet devices. iBobbly can be downloaded from both the Play and Apple App Stores.
Corey Tutt, a Kamilaroi man, founded Deadly Science as a charity to bring children into books about remote indigenous communities. The indigenous-led organization is now committed to providing academic resources and books to ATSI children across the country. While technically a charity, Deadly Science has fantastic shirts and memorabilia, all of which are used to fund scientific resources.
Last but not least, on that list is Magbala Books. Based in Broome, Western Australia, they publish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors, artists and illustrators from across Australia. You are an independent, non-profit indigenous company. Magabala is led by a dedicated board of educators, business people and creative practitioners from the Kimberley Aboriginal people. If you’re looking to learn more about indigenous cultures after Invasion Day, Magabala is a great place to start.
There are hundreds of businesses, large and small, owned by Blak. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all of them, but rather a guide to some of my favorites. To learn more about Blak companies, visit Trading Blak and Blak Business on Instagram. Remember to support the Blak companies as much as you can, and not just around January 26th.
Merryana Salem is a proud Wonnarua and Lebanese-Australian critic, teacher, researcher and podcaster on most social media as @akajustmerry. If you want, check out her podcast, GayV Club, where she raves about LGBT reps in the media with her best friend. In any case, she’s hoping that you had something nice to eat today.
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