A delegation of United States First Nations business leaders and innovators visited WA this month to celebrate and grow Indigenous entrepreneurship.
(L-R): Dawn Houle, Eric Hensen, Amanda Smith, US Consul General Siriana Nair, Eli Velasque and Nicole Johnny. Image: US Consulate Perth
During the week-long visit across Perth, Fremantle and the South West, the five delegates met with Indigenous Australian businesses from sectors including energy, finance, tourism, innovation and creative enterprises. They also attended West Tech Fest, WA’s flagship tech and innovation festival co-founded by Americans and Australians.
The delegation comprised Harvard Fellow and Indigenous economic development expert Eric Henson; Chippewa Cree Tribe member, former White House Policy Advisor and bestselling author Dawn Houle; Investors of Color Network Founder Eli Velasquez; Raven Indigenous Capital Partners’ Nicole Johnny, and Native American Business Association leader Amanda Smith.
The visit, run by First Nations X and supported by the United States Consulate Perth, arose from the Blak Angels Investment Network, an Australian-first initiative, for and by First Nations investors launched in June 2023.
Fostering Indigenous business global growth
“Through the Blak Angels Investment Network, we are fostering trade and investment opportunities between First Nations in Australia and the US, enabling Indigenous businesses to thrive globally and achieve sustainable growth for our communities,” said First Nations X Deputy Chair Les Delaforce.
“Seeing this work come to fruition has been years of work and partnership with the US State Department and US Consulate Perth.”
US Consul General Siriana Nair said the delegation “left Australia with a greater understanding of the investment and innovation ecosystems; and built relationships with Australian counterparts which we know underpin all business engagements”.
“The visit helped promote and accelerate entrepreneurship networks between the US and Australia, and grow the First Nations business sector in volume and value,” she said.
Australian Indigenous delegation to USA
In March 2025 a delegation of 10 Australian First Nations investors and businesses from the Blak Angels Investment Network, of multiple states including WA, will visit the US.
They will meet with US counterparts, including the Chickasaw Nation and the American Indian Chamber of Commerce in Oklahoma, plus and other First Nations representatives at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas.
The trip is being led by First Nations X and will build on the connections and exchange of ideas achieved during the US First Nations delegation’s visit to Australia.
All businesses and individuals are welcome to attend First Nations House in Austin, Texas, which runs from March 7-9.
CCIWA’s Industry Capability Network can help you register your business on the Aboriginal Business Directory, or connect you with suppliers with the right capabilities for your project. Contact the ICNWA team on (08) 9365 7623 or by email at [email protected].
