First Nations House

Young First Nations entrepreneur and contemporary artist Jarnda Councillor-Barns is coming to First Nations House 2026! A proud Karajarri, Naaguja, Noongar and Māori woman, Jarnda is the founder of Jarnda Bina Art, a creative business bringing First Nations culture, storytelling and identity into contemporary art and design. Jarnda launched her business at just 20 years old, turning her creative talent and cultural knowledge into a growing enterprise. Through Jarnda Bina Art, she has collaborated with major organisations including Austrade, Perth Wildcats, NBL1 West and the Perth Football League, bringing First Nations stories and representation into sporting, corporate and community spaces. Now a mother of two young boys, Jarnda is passionate about inspiring the next generation of First Nations entrepreneurs and showing how culture and creativity can become powerful foundations for business. Come and hear Jarnda speak at First Nations House 2026. 📅 Monday, 7 December 2026 🕙 10:00am–4:00pm 📍 The Kingsman, Perth 🎟️ Free attendance ✅ Register here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/g3mUrgzs Department of Energy and Economic Diversification | ANZ | City of Perth | Powering Australia West Tech Fest | Paula Taylor | Peter Rossdeutscher AM Danelle Cross Rohan McDougall

2026 Australian of the Year Local Hero Frank Mitchell is coming to First Nations House. Frank Mitchell - proud Whadjuk Nyoongar construction and trades leader, entrepreneur and a powerful example of what can be achieved through business, skills and opportunity. After loss and hardship as a teenager, Frank began an electrical apprenticeship in his mid-20s and worked his way from the tools into leadership and business ownership. In 2015, Wilco Electrical had just eight people. Today, more than 200 people work across Wilco, Kardan Construction and Baldja. And Frank has used that growth to create opportunities for others. His businesses have created 80+ Aboriginal upskilling positions, including 35 electrical apprenticeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, awarded $15M+ in work to Aboriginal-owned subcontractors, and contributed $70K+ in sponsorship to Indigenous sportspeople and Aboriginal-coached sporting clubs. That combination of commercial success and tangible community impact saw Frank named 2026 Australian of the Year Local Hero. First Nations House is about turning connection into opportunity through business, skills, investment and meaningful economic participation. Frank isn’t just talking about what that can look like. He’s built it. Come and hear his story at First Nations House 2026. 📅 Monday, 7 December 2026 🕙 10:00am–4:00pm 📍 The Kingsman, Perth 🎟️ Free attendance ✅ Registrations are now open. Secure your place early here 👉  https://lnkd.in/g3mUrgzs Department of Energy and Economic Diversification Rohan McDougall Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer ANZ City of Perth Powering Australia West Tech Fest Danelle Cross Platform 5ive Paula Taylor Peter Rossdeutscher AM

We're proud to announce Powering Australia as a Sponsor of First Nations House 2026. Powering Australia is helping accelerate Australia's clean energy future by bringing together government, industry and communities to support the transition to a more sustainable economy. Their support helps make First Nations House 2026 possible. As a not-for-profit event that is free to attend, First Nations House brings together First Nations leaders, founders, investors, industry, government and community to build connections, create opportunities and advance innovation, economic participation and meaningful partnerships. Thank you, Powering Australia, for your partnership and commitment to supporting a stronger, more inclusive future. Register here for First Nations House 2026 👉 https://lnkd.in/g3mUrgzs Powering Australia | Shannon O'Rourke | Michael Maiolo | Peter Rossdeutscher AM | Paula Taylor

We are providing the opportunity for up to 12 Western Australian Aboriginal Businesses to join us at the Aboriginal Business Pavilion at Energy Exchange Australia (EXA) in March next year. EXA is Australia’s premier energy event, bringing together operators, suppliers, contractors, and technology providers from across the globe. If you want to showcase your products, technologies, innovations, and services to the domestic and international energy supply chain then submit your expression of interest today. Hurry! Expressions of interest close 13 November 2026 👉 https://loom.ly/0Hb0DYw 📅 2-4 March 2027 📍 Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification is the proud Principal Sponsor of EXA. #EXA2027 #StateofEnergy #EnergyTransition #WesternAustralia

First Nations X, in partnership with Make It Happen HQ, is bringing Put AI to Work in Your Business to the Broome Chamber of Commerce on 3 November. Designed for First Nations businesses, entrepreneurs, local Broome businesses and community members, this practical, hands-on session will explore how AI can help you work smarter, save time and create new opportunities. No tech skills needed. The workshop will be led by Ben Cooper, AI & Innovation Leader, sharing practical ways businesses can harness AI to work smarter and drive greater impact. Ben will be joined by Adele Peek, Head of Business Strategy at Make It Happen HQ - First Nation Innovation, Esports Gaming Hub & Think Tank, and Cara Peek, Co-Founder & Head of Innovation at The Cultural Intelligence Project Pty Ltd, for a discussion on AI in business, followed by a networking sundowner. 🎟️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/gmQhs6Zu 📍 Broome Chamber of Commerce 📅 Tuesday 3 November | 3.00pm–7.00pm Free event | Places limited 💻 Laptop required This workshop is supported by the Government of Western Australia Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, ANZ, Powering Australia and Platform 5ive. A big thank you to all of our partners and supporters! Paula Taylor

🚀 PERTH: FNX Scale is bringing its practical AI workshop to the city on Friday, 11 September. Free registration: 🎟️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/gdT9MD2t This is a hands-on session for businesses and entrepreneurs who want to understand how to put AI to work, with no technical background required. We’re delighted to have Ben Cooper leading the workshop, taking participants through practical ways to use AI to: - grow your business and reach more customers  - improve marketing and content  - tackle real business challenges  - save time and work more efficiently 📅  Friday 11 September | 9.00am to 12.30pm 📍 ANZAC Club, Perth The workshop is free, with morning tea, networking and lunch included. Places are limited. A big thank you to the partners making FNX Scale possible: Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, ANZ and Powering Australia. Looking forward to a great morning of practical learning and connection. Paula Taylor Peter Rossdeutscher AM

🚀 GERALDTON | Put AI to work in your business First Nations X, together with Pollinators, is bringing a free, hands-on AI workshop to Geraldton on Thursday 10 September. 👉 Information & registration: geraldtonaiworkshop.com.au Designed for businesses, entrepreneurs and community members, this practical session is about moving beyond the AI hype and learning how to actually use these tools in your day-to-day work. No tech skills needed. Led by Ben Cooper, AI & Innovation Leader, with Deon W., Founder & CEO of Platform 5ive, joining the conversation, we’ll explore practical ways AI can help you save time, create content, tell your story, improve marketing and communications, work through ideas and identify new opportunities to grow your business. 📅 Thursday 10 September 2026 ⏰ 9:00am – 1:00pm 📍 Batavia Coast Conference Centre at The Gerald, Geraldton ☕ Morning tea, networking and lunch included 🎟️ Free to attend, but places are limited This workshop is presented by First Nations X in partnership with Pollinators Inc, with the support of the Government of Western Australia Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, ANZ, Powering Australia and Platform 5ive. A big thank you to all of our partners and supporters! Paula Taylor Peter Rossdeutscher AM

We’re taking First Nations X practical AI workshops on the road this September, with sessions in Geraldton and Perth. Led by Ben Cooper, the workshops are designed for First Nations businesses and the broader First Nations X network, with a practical focus on using AI for storytelling, administration, marketing and business growth. No technical background is required. Geraldton: Thursday 10 September | 9:00am–1:00pm Batavia Coast Conference Centre Register: https://lnkd.in/gddPWqyq Perth: Friday 11 September | 9:00am–12:30pm ANZAC Club Register: https://lnkd.in/gdT9MD2t Free to attend, with morning trra and lunch included - places limited.

FIRST NATIONS: LEADERSHIP. GROWTH. OPPORTUNITY. Panel discussion and networking lunch Monday 10 August 2026, 10:30am to 1:00pm Register here: https://lnkd.in/gF2s6v58 Join us for the next First Nations X Scale event at the ANZAC Club, 28 St Georges Terrace, Perth. This event will bring together First Nations business owners, leaders and industry partners to share practical insights on leadership, business growth, innovation and creating new opportunities in a changing economic landscape. Introducing our speakers: Raquel Todd, Managing Director, Blak Line Industries, Moderator Shelley Cable, Head of First Nations Strategy Australia, ANZ Les Delaforce, Strategic Leader in Research, Development and Innovation Michelle Evans, Director, Dilin Duwa Centre Connect with other First Nations business leaders, build meaningful relationships and explore new pathways for collaboration and growth. Free event. Lunch included. Registration is essential. Thank you to our valued partners for supporting this event: Department of Energy and Economic Diversification Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer ANZ Powering Australia Paula Taylor | Peter Rossdeutscher AM | Rohan McDougall | Simone Kenmore / Jahna Cedar OAM /Danelle Cross