The Western industrial agricultural system, with its practices of extraction, individual ownership, and overdevelopment, has been a significant contributor to climate change, pollution, land degradation, loss of biodiversity and the displacement of Indigenous peoples globally. The growing population has intensified the demand for food and resources, exerting immense pressure on natural ecosystems. The effects of climate change are already being felt in the sector, compromising food security and creating more fragile supply chains, highlighting the urgent need for transformation.

The industrial system starkly contrasts the Indigenous system in which Indigenous peoples, through their knowledge systems and practices, have lived a reciprocal, harmonious relationship with nature and sustainably managed natural resources for thousands of years. Presently, there are an estimated 370 million Indigenous peoples worldwide. Indigenous lands cover about 20% of the Earth’s expanse, stewarding 80% of the world’s remaining critical biodiversity, which is crucial for our strategies to address climate change and to support life on Earth. In Australia, about 40% of the country is covered by Native Title, both exclusive and shared titles. However, Native Title is a colonial concept distinct from Indigenous land rights. Native title does not preclude extractive industries from operating on native title lands, and First Nations people have typically been excluded from benefiting economically from those activities.

At the Macdoch Foundation, we focus on transforming agriculture and the food system towards one that better supports people, nature and the climate. In doing so we recognise the importance of centering the deeply interconnected issues of Indigenous land stewardship, food security, food sovereignty, cultural identity and well-being against the backdrop of Australia’s colonial history and displacement of Indigenous peoples.

Our challenge—and opportunity—is meaningfully incorporating Indigenous knowledge and participation in negotiating a food system transformation. This is not simply a matter of the sustainability of our natural resources and the resilience of our landscapes but of social justice and human rights.

Embracing Indigenous wisdom in food systems can enrich non-Indigenous communities by promoting healthier, more sustainable, and culturally rich food systems that honour Indigenous knowledge, are more just, and contribute to a more resilient and interconnected world. But this should not be a one-way street. Integrating Indigenous knowledge in agriculture and environmental conservation can and should be a powerful tool to address existing inequities and power dynamics, creating real value for Indigenous peoples.

Promoting Indigenous knowledge needs to be more than symbolic. It requires a deeper understanding of and investment in those knowledge systems. It also requires more inclusive, Indigenous-led conservation and agricultural practices rooted in principles of Indigenous self-determination, economic participation, and wealth creation. With only between 1 and 3% of philanthropy going directly to Indigenous peoples, IFIP and the Australian Working Group members, including the Macdoch Foundation, have committed to continuous learning, shifting practice, increasing resources, and accountability in support of First Nations people.

Specifically, we, as a Foundation are seeking to:

1. Prioritise funding opportunities that empower Indigenous peoples to determine, lead and control their development;
2. Fund Indigenous-led organisations directly and avoid intermediaries. We will work closely with leaders to ensure that our interventions are respectful and effective;
3. Focus on building capacity and providing multi-year, flexible funding. We will take a more holistic approach that not only meets organisations’ current needs but creates sustainability and security, respects their rights and values, and builds trust;
4. Embed Indigenous perspectives by working closely with IFIP and our grant partners to seek feedback and input into our grantmaking processes to better align with Indigenous ways of working; and
5. Foster a continuous learning and improvement culture within the Foundation staff and Board because cultural competency is ongoing.

In addition to growing our grantmaking to Indigenous-led organisations, we have also committed to allocating up to 50% of our new catalytic impact capital pool to support Indigenous agriculture and food enterprises in Australia.

We are in the process of developing our new 3- to 5-year strategy. Our membership of IFIP, our multi-year funding of the Australia Working Group, and our commitment to advancing IFIP’s five principles of Indigenous philanthropy will enshrine greater transparency and accountability in our work. The journey towards better philanthropic practice is neither easy nor straightforward. But our hope is we will grow and learn as funders working to forge opportunities in food systems for Indigenous peoples in Australia in ways that centre justice and self-determination and that truly value the Indigenous knowledge systems that have co-existed with nature for thousands of years