It is a great honour to serve as the Chair of the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) — a network built to champion the growth, capability and success of Aboriginal businesses across the Territory. 

This special edition of Blak Business magazine is a timely recognition of the outstanding work of our Big Boss, the NTIBN team and the NTIBN Board, who continue to deliver meaningful outcomes for our members and the Blak business sector as a whole. 

Over the past year, the team has worked tirelessly to: 

• Strengthen our advocacy for Aboriginal economic leadership, 
• Grow the visibility and credibility of Blak-owned businesses, 
• Support the rollout of the NT Aboriginal Procurement Policy, 
• Lead the advocacy for a stronger national definition of Aboriginal Business Enterprises, 
• Expand our reach through business hubs in Darwin and Alice Springs, and 
• Lead the establishment of the National Indigenous Business Chambers Alliance (NIBCA) — cementing NTIBN’s role as a national leader in Aboriginal economic advocacy. 

With our NIBCA allies, NTIBN has played a key role in shaping national conversations on certification, procurement reform and economic self-determination — ensuring that the voices of Aboriginal businesses from the Territory are heard and respected at the highest levels. 

We are also proud to be working alongside our APO NT partners, ensuring that Aboriginal business is recognised as a key pillar in the Closing the Gap agenda — bringing an economic lens to the work of the Territory’s Aboriginal Peak Organisations, and standing shoulder to shoulder with our fellow peak bodies to advocate for real outcomes for our people. 

Our Blak Business Directory, Procure Connect platform and Blak Jobs Expos continue to deliver real connections and real outcomes for our members, and we are proud to see more Aboriginal businesses winning work, growing their teams and building the Territory’s future economy. 

I extend my thanks to our operational team and our dedicated Board members, who continue to drive this important work forward with professionalism, focus and commitment. 

Looking ahead, the strength of this network depends on the active participation of our members. I encourage all of our members to: 

• Engage in NTIBN events and programs, 
• Promote your business through our platforms, 
• Take up leadership opportunities, and 
• Work with us to grow the Blak business economy, both here in the Territory and nationally. 

Together, we can continue to grow the Blak business movement and ensure our members remain at the centre of economic growth, leadership and opportunity in the Northern Territory and across the country. 

Thank you to everyone who is part of this journey. We look forward to working with you all to build the next chapter, together. 

Raymond Pratt 

Chair, NT Indigenous Business Network