In February 2024, BDWE Founder and Director Melisa Drummond-Anderson travelled to Aotearoa (New Zealand) as one of a select group of First Nations female entrepreneurs chosen to represent Australia at the Indigenous Women in Industry (IWI) Summit.

Held on the sacred grounds of Tūrangawaewae Marae, the summit brought together Indigenous women leaders from across the Pacific to share stories, uplift one another  and advance Indigenous women’s roles in leadership, business and cultural sovereignty.

Experience & Highlights

The summit was co-founded by Rachel Petero (founder of IWI and RISE) and Rosa Walker (founder of Indigenous Leadership Development Inc and World Indigenous Business Forum).  Discussions centred on Indigenous rights, sovereignty, entrepreneurship and healing — all through the sacred lens of Indigenous womanhood and cultural power.

A moving opening oratory set the tone:

“Through women, the sun sets,
Through women, the sun dawns,
Through women, the new world,
Behold the breath of life!”

Our first day for NIAA Australia First Nations Women-led Delegation attending the Indigenous Women in Industry Event. Our Australian delegation spent the day at the Marae in Rotorua.

Marae (meeting grounds) are the focal point of Māori communities throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand. A marae is a fenced-in complex of carved buildings and grounds that belongs to a particular iwi (tribe), hapū (sub-tribe) or whānau (family). Māori see their marae as their tūrangawaewae – their place to stand and belong.

It was a full day of cultural exchange of knowledge between First Nations Women from Australia & the Whahine Māori. We discussed Leadership, Cultural Values, First Nations Entrepreneurship, Social Impacts, Impacts of colonisation, Historical to contemporary business structures with Indigenous communities.

Looking forward to the next two days at the IWI Summit –

“He waka eke noa tātou katoa | We are stronger together”

Quote from Melisa

“Being welcomed to Tūrangawaewae was deeply spiritual. To walk alongside Māori sisters, to share stories of survival and strategy — it reminded me that our healing and our leadership are global. We are not alone. We are connected by culture, courage and our role as caretakers of generations to come.”

Cultural Significance

The IWI Summit also honoured those who have passed on, while embracing new beginnings with deep reverence. Māori and First Nations women shared food, ceremony, business ideas, and visions for global Indigenous women’s empowerment. The experience reinforced BDWE’s commitment to cross-cultural collaboration and international sisterhood.

Why It Matters

This exchange strengthens trans-Tasman Indigenous alliances and highlights the global role of Indigenous women in economic justice, cultural preservation, and community healing. BDWE proudly stands in that movement — walking forward in unity with our Pacific whānau.

Future Plans

💎 Following the 2024 Aotearoa event, the IWI summit will be hosted by Canada in 2026, Australia in 2028, and the USA in 2030….stay tuned for more updates.

Stay Connected

🌐 Indigenous Women in Industry on Facebook
💻 Visit: www.blaqdiamondswe.com.au

📧 Contact: melisa@blaqdiamondswe.com.au
📱 Facebook |  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/empowering-indigenous-women-transforming-economies-iwi-jaynaya-winmar-hpsoc/