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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/09/five-questions-to-charles-prouse-on-indigenous-business-and-leadership

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Five questions to Charles Prouse: on Indigenous business and leadership Five questions to Charles Prouse: on Indigenous business and leadership
(4 months later)
Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.
Tell Tell us about who you are, where you are from and what you do.
us about who you are, where you are from and what you do. I’m a Nyikina man from Derby, Western Australia, a small town of about 5,000 in the Kimberley region. Like many Aboriginal families there, mine is quite large. I have three brothers, a sister and many nieces and nephews. We were part of a new generation of Indigenous people in the 1990s to go to university;I went to UWA in Perth and completed a Geographic Information Systems degree – think Google Maps.
I’m a Nyikina man from Derby, Western My mother is a Shire councillor and my father is a local identity who knows everything going on in Derby. I sometimes think of my mum as knowing all the official business, and my father as knowing all the unofficial business. Mum once told me “I don’t know what your father does but he’s very busy doing it.” It’s a powerful partnership.
Australia, a small town of about 5,000 in the Kimberley region. Like many Aboriginal families there, mine is quite large. I have After graduation I worked in the WA Indigenous affairs department and then moved to Melbourne to work in its Victorian equivalent. While there I completed the Indigenous leadership program with the Australian Indigenous leadership centre and afterwards was invited to join the Board – then chaired by professor Mick Dodson. I am still a director of the AILC, and I’m delighted that today there is over 1,000 graduates of the same programs I found so valuable. During this period I reached out to Justice Michael Kirby (then a serving high court judge) and asked him to be my mentor. I’m proud to say he agreed.
three brothers, a sister and many nieces and nephews. We were part of a new generation of Indigenous Since then, I’ve worked in the Kimberley Land Council, with two major Federal Government agencies and held the position of CEO at NASCA before taking up my current position. Currently, I am CEO of Supply Nation, an NGO that supports the growth of a vibrant Indigenous business sector.
people in the 1990s to go to university;I went to UWA in Perth and completed a What do you plan to focus on during your weeks as host of @IndigenousX
Geographic Information Systems degree – think Indigenous leadership, Indigenous people engaged with business, the RDA, Indigenous LGBTI community, anything relevant in the upcoming federal budget and what I am doing on a day-to-day basis at Supply Nation.
Google Maps. What issues are you most passionate about and why?
My mother is a Shire councillor and my
father is a local identity who knows everything going on in Derby. I sometimes think of my mum as knowing all
the official business, and my father as knowing all the unofficial business. Mum once told me “I don’t know what your
father does but he’s very busy doing it.” It’s a powerful partnership.
After graduation I worked in the WA
Indigenous affairs department and then moved to Melbourne to work in its Victorian
equivalent. While there I completed the
Indigenous leadership program with the Australian
Indigenous leadership centre and afterwards was invited to join the Board –
then chaired by professor Mick Dodson. I
am still a director of the AILC, and I’m delighted that today there is over
1,000 graduates of the same programs I found so valuable. During this period I reached out to Justice
Michael Kirby (then a serving high court judge) and asked him to be my
mentor. I’m proud to say he agreed.
Since then, I’ve worked in the Kimberley Land
Council, with two major Federal Government agencies and held the position of
CEO at NASCA before taking up my current
position. Currently, I am CEO of Supply
Nation, an NGO that supports the growth of a vibrant Indigenous business
sector.
What
do you plan to focus on during your weeks as host of @IndigenousX
Indigenous leadership, Indigenous people
engaged with business, the RDA, Indigenous LGBTI community, anything relevant
in the upcoming federal budget and what I am doing on a day-to-day basis at
Supply Nation.
What
issues are you most passionate about and why?
Leadership, equality and acceptance.Leadership, equality and acceptance.
There are There are many Indigenous leaders doing great things, inspiring all generations. We have worked hard to get where we are today, but we have to keep working to be successful in an increasingly globalised community.
many Indigenous leaders doing great things, inspiring all generations. We In business, for example, you have to play the game. Networking and understanding your value proposition well enough to sell it in less than 30 seconds is crucial. It takes financial acumen, sound customer service processes, knowledge of the market, and costs of production and distribution. You’re there to win work, not be given it as an entitlement.
have worked hard to get where we are today, but we have to keep working to be Non-Indigenous people need to meet us halfway and join us in the modern world. They shouldn't assume we can’t do business. We have multi-million dollar companies, joint ventures and successful sole traders excelling in their craft. We all need to give each other a chance and we all have to rise to the occasion.
successful in an increasingly globalised community. I engage CEOs of many ASX200 businesses and ministers from across Australia who exhibit leadership regularly, but leadership isn’t just for the boardroom. All Australians can demonstrate leadership in the work place. Indigenous businesses are ready to engage at all levels and across all sectors – and a slight shift in procurement practice (all the goods and services your work buys) could realise this potential.
In business, for example, you have to play Small but thoughtful actions could be the driving force of change in Australia, and you could be a part of it.
the game. Networking and understanding your value proposition well enough to sell Who are your role models, and why?
it in less than 30 seconds is crucial. It I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by friends who do brilliant work for the community, and who inspire me every day. Each is brilliant in their own right, and they are also able to break from work and enjoy life.
takes financial acumen, sound customer service processes, knowledge of the I still look up to Michael Kirby because of his work ethic, courage, intellect, commitment to social justice across the globe, and his leadership in the LGBTI community. I admire his challenge to Australia to self-reflect in pursuit of a more fair and just society for all its citizens. I also look up to Mick Dodson, because of his commitment to social justice – particularly for Indigenous Australians, his dry sense of humour, and his longevity.
market, and costs of production and distribution. You’re there to win Michael O’Loughlin and Adam Goodes are role models because they represent what a decent man is in a modern society. Unlike many Australian men, Michael and Adam speak out against problems confronting our society; drugs, alcohol, violence, acceptance of all cultures, and equality regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation.
work, not be given it as an entitlement. Anita Heiss stood up during the Andrew Bolt case at great personal cost. She did it for all Indigenous Australians so we wouldn’t have to put up with untruths said about us. During that period, she told me she didn’t see herself as a warrior but I couldn’t have disagreed with her more. She is one my heroes.
Non-Indigenous people need to meet us Marcia Langton is a steadfast and fierce intellectual who doesn’t accept a "poor me" attitude. You need to be on your game when you engage Marcia, as she can put you in your place from 20 paces with a look.
halfway and join us in the modern world. What are your hopes for the future?
They shouldn't assume we can’t do business. We have I want Australia to be proud of its Indigenous identity. It’s what makes us truly unique on the global stage. That and gay marriage. If we have those two things, we should have achieved the rest.
multi-million dollar companies, joint ventures and successful sole traders
excelling in their craft. We all need to
give each other a chance and we all have to rise to the occasion.
I engage CEOs of many ASX200 businesses and
ministers from across Australia who exhibit leadership regularly, but
leadership isn’t just for the boardroom. All Australians can demonstrate
leadership in the work place. Indigenous
businesses are ready to engage at all levels and across all sectors – and a
slight shift in procurement practice (all the goods and services your work buys)
could realise this potential.
Small but thoughtful actions could be the driving
force of change in Australia, and you could be a part of it.
Who
are your role models, and why?
I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by friends
who do brilliant work for the community, and who inspire me every day. Each is
brilliant in their own right, and they are also able to break from work and enjoy
life.
I still look up to Michael Kirby because
of his work ethic, courage, intellect, commitment to social justice across the
globe, and his leadership in the LGBTI community. I admire his challenge to
Australia to self-reflect in pursuit of a more fair and just society for all
its citizens. I also look up to Mick Dodson, because of his commitment to
social justice – particularly for Indigenous Australians, his dry sense of
humour, and his longevity.
Michael O’Loughlin and Adam Goodes are role
models because they represent what a decent man is in a modern society. Unlike many Australian men, Michael and Adam speak
out against problems confronting our society; drugs, alcohol, violence,
acceptance of all cultures, and equality regardless of gender, race or sexual
orientation.
Anita Heiss stood up during the Andrew Bolt
case at great personal cost. She
did it for all Indigenous Australians so we wouldn’t have to put up with
untruths said about us. During that
period, she told me she didn’t see herself as a warrior but I couldn’t have
disagreed with her more. She is one my heroes.
Marcia Langton is a steadfast and fierce intellectual who doesn’t accept a "poor me" attitude. You need to be on your game when you engage Marcia,
as she can put you in your place from 20 paces with a look.
What
are your hopes for the future?
I want Australia to be proud of its Indigenous
identity. It’s what makes us truly
unique on the global stage. That and gay
marriage. If we have those two things,
we should have achieved the rest.