
First Nations Business Register
The First Nations Business Register is a resource that CIAF utilises to connect with local First Nations suppliers to assist with our annual event delivery.
The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is dedicated to celebrating and strengthening First Nations culture by providing professional development opportunities for artists and fostering cultural exchange between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and visitors. With a focus on ethical art practices, CIAF serves as a dynamic platform for national and international collectors, curators, and emerging visual and performance artists. The fair champions First Nations-led initiatives and programs, upholding self-determination within Queensland’s creative community and commissioning new work to amplify First Nations voices.
The requirement for the First Nations Business Register specifies that the form is exclusively for First Nations business owners, sole traders, and company owners. This means that only individuals and businesses that are owned and operated by First Nations people are eligible to register.
Here’s a breakdown of what this entails:
- First Nations Business Owners: Individuals who own and run a business and identify as First Nations people.
- Sole Traders: First Nations individuals who operate their business on their own, without any partners or employees.
- Company Owners: Businesses that are incorporated and are owned by First Nations people, even if they have multiple owners or shareholders.
The types of suppliers, but not limited to, are outlined below. The register allows businesses to note other additional services for consideration.
Examples of First Nations suppliers:
- Photographers
- Videographers
- Facilitators
- Customer Service
- Sales and Gallery Assistants
- Front of House Staff
- Venue and Infrastructure
- Catering
- Audio-Visual
- Security
- Event Production
- Entertainment
- Marketing and Promotion
- Digital Services
- Transport and Logistics
- Cleaners
- Production Staff
- Labourers
- Contractors
- Carpentry
- Removalists
- Freight Services
Please note that CIAF will reach out to businesses on an as-needed basis for service provision. CIAF's operations, including this business register, extend year-round. Registration does not guarantee employment.
Image: Matilda Nona amongst her CIAF Art Fair Showcase booth, 2024. Photograph: Blueclick Photography.