Our Ways, Our Wealth: Meet the Women Joining Us in Melbourne

This November, First Nations Foundation is bringing First Nations women together in Naarm (Melbourne) for Our Ways, Our Wealth, a free, two-day forum for women who are building, growing or dreaming about a business.

This culturally safe gathering held on the 24-25 November is a chance to connect, yarn, learn and share, while building practical knowledge around money, business and financial wellbeing. Over two days we'll hear from First Nations women in business, culture and community, and have honest conversations about the realities of being a woman in business. Topics include knowing your worth and pricing your work, superannuation and tax, accessing capital, building your brand and growing your income.

Expect panels, small-group sessions and interactive workshops, with plenty of opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, learn from one another and build meaningful connections.

Places are limited to 50 participants, and EOIs are now open.

Here's who you'll be hearing from.

Day 1

Purpose, Power and Knowing Your Why: Panel

Ann-Maree Long, Aunty Barb and Sarrita King. Moderated by Courtney Kelly, First Nations Foundation

Hear from three First Nations women in business, from different generations, as they share the stories, culture and community that shape their work. This panel explores how purpose drives business success, creates opportunities for mob, and empowers others through collective strength and a vision for future generations.

Courtney Kelly is a proud Kulkalgal woman from Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands) and works as a Community Development and Training Officer at First Nations Foundation. She delivers training across rural and remote communities, educating community, workers and industry professionals on the relationship between First Nations people and finances. As a mother and proud Islander woman, Courtney believes healthy, open conversations are essential to strengthening financial confidence and ensuring everyone has a seat at the table , decisions are grounded in understanding and truth.

Ann-Maree Long and Aunty Barb, Co-Founders and Facilitators, Sandpoppy Weaving

Sandpoppy Weaving is a mother and daughter led creative business founded in 2022 by Aunty Barb and Ann-Maree Long. They are proud Badjala, Woppaburra and Torres Strait Islander yeerans (women) living across Yuggera, Turrbal and Kabi Kabi Country, and they share their stories through the ancient art of weaving and yarning circles. Sandpoppy delivers immersive workshops for school students through to corporates, designed as inclusive spaces where people can slow down, connect and learn about culture through hands-on creation. Guided by the belief that weaving is a powerful tool for healing, mindfulness and reconciliation, Aunty Barb and Ann-Maree bring a gentle, welcoming energy that encourages connection to community, Country and spirit.

Sarrita King, Artist and Owner, KingKing Creative and King Studios Australia

Sarrita King is a Gurindji and Waanyi woman, artist, designer and business owner who grew up on Larrakia Country. For almost 20 years she has built a career around storytelling, creativity and design, working across painting, sculpture and digital art. After returning to Larrakia Country a decade ago to raise her family, her practice evolved into something broader. Together with her elder sister Tarisse, she established KingKing Creative, a Blak-owned, family-led business bringing Aboriginal art and storytelling into contemporary fashion, textiles, gifting and design. Through KingKing, they are creating greater ownership over how their work is represented, shared and valued, while building something meaningful for the next generation.

Keynote: Juggling Responsibilities as Women and Lateral Violence

Jasmin Gentle, Director, Djerakan-Noort Dreaming

Jasmin will share her personal experiences navigating business, womanhood and cultural responsibilities, while exploring the challenges of lateral violence. This session discusses finding balance, setting boundaries, protecting your wellbeing and navigating relationships while staying true to your purpose.

Jasmin Gentle is a Whadjuk Noongar woman with strong Wardandi and Ballardong connections, and a descendant of Midgegooroo. As Director of Djerakan-Noort Dreaming, she leads cultural healing, identity strengthening and intergenerational empowerment across Noongar boodja, championing pathways for First Nations people to thrive in culture, community and economic life. Her work is grounded in Noongar kaartdijin and koort, and these values shape her approach to leadership and wealth creation, reminding us that true wealth is held in culture, kinship, spirit, Country and collective strength.

With experience across education, child protection, health, justice and community services, Jasmin is a respected Cultural Support Specialist whose work centres cultural safety, truth-telling and systems change. She is also a delegate for the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Call to Action at Women Deliver 2026, contributing to global conversations on Indigenous women's rights and self-determination. Her keynote style is warm, grounded and unapologetically truthful, inviting audiences to rethink wealth through First Nations lenses.

Money Mindsets and Relationships with Money

Talia Caldwell and Keiena Aspinall-Ivey, First Nations Foundation

This session invites you to reflect on your personal relationship with money and how it shapes the way you approach business finances. Together, we'll create a safe, culturally supportive space to explore our financial experiences, unpack the shame or guilt we may carry, and begin to build healthier, more confident relationships with money.

Talia Caldwell is a proud Dunghutti woman, raised and living on Bundjalung Country, and Community Development and Training Officer at First Nations Foundation. She is passionate about supporting First Nations communities through connection, education and community engagement, delivering training that strengthens financial wellbeing. Working alongside communities, Talia is committed to culturally safe approaches that create spaces where people feel heard, empowered and supported to build their financial futures.

Keiena Aspinall-Ivey is a First Nations advocate and financial literacy educator, and Content Development and Training Officer at First Nations Foundation. Her work is grounded in lived experience, cultural strength and clarity. She supports women and families to build confidence with money through real conversations and practical tools that make financial education accessible, relatable and relevant to their lived experiences.

Keynote: A Yarn and a Reckoning: Business, Money, Wealth and the Courage to Begin Again

Shantelle Thompson OAM, Barkindji Warrior | 3x World Champion and Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt | Speaker, Podcaster and Author | Founder, Kiilalaana Foundation

After ten years in business, Shantelle shares an honest yarn about purpose, money, identity and the lessons learned from balancing business, community responsibilities and personal wellbeing. She explores what true wealth means beyond money, reclaiming sovereignty, and building a business that aligns with your values without sacrificing yourself in the process.

Shantelle Thompson OAM is a proud Barkindji/Ngiyampaa woman, mother of five, entrepreneur, speaker, storyteller, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, three-time World Champion and founder of the Kiilalaana Foundation. For more than a decade she has worked at the intersection of First Nations leadership, culture, community development, entrepreneurship, sport, storytelling and social impact, building organisations, programs, partnerships and movements while navigating the tensions between purpose and profitability, and between community responsibility and personal capacity.

Known as the Barkindji Warrior, Shantelle's work centres on moving from survival to sovereignty: personally, culturally and economically. Through her Warrior Heart philosophy of Remembering, Reckoning, Reclaiming and Rising, she explores how our hardest seasons can become medicine. At the centre of her work is the belief that our being is our first wealth, and that business and money should resource our lives, cultures, families and Dreaming rather than require us to sacrifice them.

Day 2

Why First Nations Women in Business Matter and How Image Impacts Income

Fireside yarn with Sianna Catullo, moderated by Courtney Kelly

This session explores the power of visibility, social media and reputation in building a successful business. We'll talk about maintaining your name and relationships in community, how your public image can influence trust and income, and how First Nations women can use their platforms to grow their businesses while staying true to their culture, values and community.

Sianna Catullo is a proud Narungga woman, Co-Founder and Creative and Managing Director of Blakground Productions, a First Nations-led production company dedicated to telling stories by Community, for Community. With a background in branding, marketing and storytelling, Sianna is passionate about representation both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. She believes business can be a powerful vehicle for meaningful impact, and that true success means staying true to who we are, what we stand for and the communities we represent.

Knowing Your Business Type

Jade Reiche, Manager, Sector Development, Indigenous Business Australia, in conversation with Tiffani Seaton, First Nations Foundation

In this immersive session, Tiffani leads a conversation with Jade about the different business structures and models First Nations entrepreneurs operate, and why understanding yours matters. An interactive workshop follows, giving you the chance to reflect on your own business type, consider whether your current model is meeting your needs, and identify opportunities to strengthen, diversify or grow.

Jade Reiche is a proud Biripi woman and Manager, Sector Development at Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), a role she has held since 2023. With a Bachelor of Arts and Design from Southern Cross University, she brings extensive experience as an entrepreneur, sole trader and small business owner across television and media production, photography, e-commerce, fitness, the NDIS sector, arts and education. Jade is passionate about supporting women to pursue their business aspirations, build confidence in their leadership and create lasting impact for themselves, their families and their communities.

Tiffani Seaton is a proud Kamilaroi woman based on Yugambeh Country (Gold Coast, Queensland) and Team Leader, Community Education at First Nations Foundation. She leads the team responsible for delivering the Foundation’s national financial education programs, working with communities across urban, regional and remote areas to build financial confidence, capability and long-term economic strength. Committed to self-determination, Tiffani ensures the delivery of programs are community-centred, culturally aligned and responsive to local needs.

Your Money System

Talia Caldwell and Keiena Aspinall-Ivey, First Nations Foundation

This interactive workshop explores how to make your money work for you by building a strong money system. First Nations Foundation will facilitate this conversation about practical ways to set up a system that supports your personal and business goals, prepares you for unexpected expenses and keeps your bills and everyday needs covered along the way.

The Journey Ahead: Creating Your Vision Map

Talia Caldwell, Keiena Aspinall-Ivey and Courtney Kelly, First Nations Foundation

This reflective workshop is your time to visualise the journey ahead and note down the support, guidance and resources you may need to work towards success in your business. You'll refine your purpose and direction as a First Nations woman in business and leave with a clear vision to take home.

Breakout Sessions (Across Both Days):

Alongside the main program, small-group breakout sessions will run across the two days, led by experts from our partner organisations with an FNF team member alongside each one.

How to Price Your Work

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA)|Facilitator: Jade Reiche|FNF: Tiffani Seaton

Learn how to price your goods and services so you meet the market where it is at while covering your business needs.

Superannuation for You and Your Staff

Australian Retirement Trust (ART)|Facilitators: Donna Teague and Sujana Hazari|FNF: Courtney Kelly

Learn how to manage super as a business owner, including how to pay yourself super, understanding super regulations and supporting your staff.

Tax 101

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) | Facilitator: Kayla Grant|FNF: Talia Caldwell

Understand your tax obligations when running a business, including keeping good records, claiming deductions, payroll obligations, preparing for tax time and income tax.

Accessing Capital

ANZ|Facilitator: Simone Kenmore|FNF: Keiena Aspinall-Ivey

Explore how to access capital to build or grow your business, including building strong relationships with your bank, understanding what lenders look for and preparing for an application.

Insurance for Business

Suncorp Group|Facilitator: Eliza Bale|FNF: Maddie Shepard

Insurance doesn't have to be complicated. This practical, approachable conversation covers common small-business risks, the fundamentals of business insurance and the questions worth asking when considering cover.

Ready to join us?

Submit your Expression of Interest to be part of Our Ways, Our Wealth in Naarm this November.

Places are limited to 50 participants, and the FNF team will confirm outcomes once all EOIs have been reviewed.