International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
At a glance
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated annually on 9 August. The day honours an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in 90 countries globally, representing 5000 different cultures.
As a global enterprise, GHD has a strong commitment to recognise and respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and cultures everywhere, and contribute to empowering Indigenous communities through a wide range of initiatives, especially in countries where we operate. This is an extension of our values and our purpose of creating lasting community benefits.
One area where we’ve made great strides in recent times is through our focus on Indigenous supplier diversity, given the close link between economic empowerment and self-determination.
Supplier diversity initiatives are widely recognised for not only helping Indigenous entrepreneurs start and grow businesses, but also for creating wider economic and social benefits. For example, Research from the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership at Melbourne Business School found that the Indigenous business sector in Australia has grown by 4 percent annually between 2006 and 2018, albeit from a historically low base. The research also found that Indigenous businesses are more likely than non-Indigenous businesses to recruit Indigenous employees, overcoming barriers to employment.
Australia
Our Reconciliation Action Plan recognises the significant influence we have through procurement and the positive cycles of opportunities we can create through engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers. We are committed to increasing our spend with these businesses by 25 percent year-on-year.
In FY23, GHD spent AUD 4.3 million with 119 Indigenous businesses in Australia. This follows another record year in FY22, when GHD spent AUD 2.4 million with 90 Indigenous businesses.
To help achieve this, we partner with a range of organisations Supply Nation, Kinaway-The Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce.
It's exciting to see the growth of the Indigenous business sector in Australia and GHD's continued commitment to creating positive social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Along with committing to growing our Indigenous procurement spend year on year, we're also committed to increasing the recruitment retention and professional development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and supporting organisations that are helping to develop the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders. Through the GHD Foundation, we’ve partnered with Deadly Science, the National Youth Science Forum Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maths Alliance and GO Foundation. I think this is particularly important to highlight as we celebrate the theme for this year, 'Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination'."
New Zealand
In Aotearoa New Zealand, GHD is aligned with the Government’s Broader Outcomes approach to achieving wider social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes through procurement.
We are on a three-year trajectory to achieve a 5 percent minimum spend with Māori- and/or Pasifika-owned sub-contractors or sub-consultants. GHD has partnered with supplier diversity organisation Amotai to help achieve these goals. Supplier diversity is not limited to project delivery – we are also making shifts in non-project procurement.
Chris Taylor, NZ Asia and Pacific Finance Leader, says, "Supplier diversity is one of the most powerful levers that directly focuses on creating a more equitable society, providing increased economic capacity, employment opportunities and helping to close the wealth gap in our communities.”
This can be achieved firstly by ‘giving practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) through building enduring trusted relationships with Mana Whenua (authority of a tribe over land), Iwi (tribe), Hapū (sub-tribe), Rūnaka (tribal assembly), Hapori (society), Marae (community), Whānau (family), councils, local government and related businesses through engagement a kanohi mai (the preferred face to face interaction mode for Mana Whenua) processes. Thus leading to stronger relationships built on our Values of Tikanga Haumaru (safety), Whanaungatanga (teamwork), Whakamana (respect) and Whakapono (integrity). Secondly, further scope of our commitment to people affords GHD the strategic position of growing Mana (influence, appeal) globally to reach and touch all Indigenous and First Nations People, to create lasting benefits for all.”
Americas
We can speak about inclusion and diversity, but until our businesses adopt inclusive practises, we won’t be a real part of the change or the solution. Including Indigenous-owned business in our procurement efforts is just a small way we can connect to Indigenous communities and move towards building a sustainable future, together. And we should appreciate every opportunity, with so much gain from the knowledge, abilities, and culture that Indigenous Peoples contribute to creating strong and lasting communities”.