Why We’re Committed to a First Nations-Only Supply Chain

To create products with maximal impact and effect, monitoring the quality and wellbeing of the plants and people we engage with, from the land to the lab, is essential. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are part of the oldest living culture, and with that enduring wisdom brings enormous strength,value, quality and greater purpose.

First Nation peoples, through their extensive ecological knowledge and deep, spiritual connection to Country, including customary use of natural resources; are our first farmers. Their propagating techniques, harvesting, and processing of native plants, land management with fire all enhanced the productivity and sustainability of the native plants for over 65,000 years¹.  In more recent times, this practice and Indigenous knowledge has contributed to the commercial development of over 15 bush food species² and a range of native plants being utilised pharmaceuticals, medicine, food, beverage, cosmetic, perfumery, and aromatherapy preparations³. For example, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus essential oils and tropane-alkaloids from Duboisia species, which can be found in products sitting on pharmacy shelves. 

Partnering with this skill set and long history of entrepreneurship from the trading practices that occurred both within Australia and with neighbouring nations long before colonisation¹ is a non-brainer for Land Lab. Committing to a First Nations-Only supply chain is a trusted supply chain. A trusted supply chain that delivers value, quality products and services, social impact and internationally recognised excellence in environmental stewardship³. And from there, from the land through to the lab, following on from the supply chain is where we continue to nurture the products and the relationships that have contributed to their creation, and deliver on our commitment to build generational health and wellbeing through impactful, evidence based products.

Responsible engagement with the native Australian plants goes far beyond ethical collection.  As the native food industry expands nationally and internationally, benefits still aren’t shared fairly or equitably⁴. The native food industry is estimated to be worth more that 160 million dollars, yet there is less than 2% of First Nations involvement. Committing to a First Nations- Only supply chain is a necessity to ensure that Indigenous-owned businesses receive adequate access to economic prosperity, especially considering that they and their ancestors are the people who have preserved the plants and resources. Further to this, for every dollar of revenue made from a First Nations Business, an average of $4.41 in social value is created².

Land Lab’s investment into a First Nations-Only supply chain delivers profits directly into Indigenous communities and the social impact of that is broad. This includes empowering self determination, economic and sustainable communities,  facilitating enhanced Indigenous employment pathways, and the creation of culturally safe work places². Working with a first nations supply chain keeps benefits in community and builds economic empowerment, which in turn, builds healthy communities,  values that align with Land Lab’s purpose. This also helps to ensure that Western Law and Cultural Lore is upheld and respected and in a way that is meaningful and impactful to the communities we work with.

Our commitment to a First Nations- Only supply chain means leading the way for other businesses to meet and go above and beyond International and national frameworks by including:

• Free, Prior and Informed Consent

• Co-designed Access and Benefit Sharing Agreements

• Continuous and Diverse Economic Participation

• Culturally Appropriate Branding and Storytelling

• Ongoing Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange

• Flexibility and Respect if Circumstances Change

Embedding transparent, fair benefit-sharing agreements at every stage, from research and development through to commercialisation, we honor Indigenous rights and relationships throughout the process while being flexible and adaptable to communities needs. You can read more about how we do that here.

Our commitment to a First Nations only supply chain encompasses creating social impact by conserving species for future generations, honoring the profound custodial bonds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples share with these plants, and actively preventing biopiracy or the unauthorised appropriation of botanical resources and traditional knowledge

We have a responsibility to our purpose to champion Indigenous sovereignty, enforce robust certification and transparent provenance, protect traditional knowledge systems, and forge partnerships with individual custodians as well as with the communities, organisations, and alliances empowered to manage and share resources from their Country.

Our responsibility and commitment is embedded in everything we do. Committing to a First Nations-Only supply chain is a trusted supply chain. A supply chain that delivers value, quality products and services, and social impact that no other supply chain can offer, and is the only supply chain that aligns with the social impact Land Lab is aiming to achieve through innovative, therapeutic and effective supplements.