First Nations Foundation was established in 2006 with the vision of enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to make informed decisions about their financial wellbeing, in turn securing a sound economic future for themselves and their communities.

The development of a sound economic base in the Indigenous community is paramount to the future of Indigenous people. In order to be in a position to protect the things that we value and to sustain our culture and sense of identity we need to build the capacity to be equal players in the mainstream economy–and we can’t do that if we are living on welfare.

A key part of this work is about Indigenous Australia visioning their futures in line with Australian society. We need to identify what we want our future to look like, in order to feel safe, to feel connected and to have a sense of ownership and control over our destiny.

Knowledge and confidence in using money, the financial system and its products are key to managing a tight budget, planning a work career, running a business or building long term assets such as houses and superannuation.

‘Closing the gap’ in critical areas of financial and economic participation is also a key to improved health, employment and education outcomes, enabling Indigenous Australians to live full and productive lives – living, learning and earning.

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In early 2012, we distributed a joint survey to all First Nations CUA members asking them for feedback on their experience as members. Congratulations to Marion Granich, selected as the winner and recipient of a $100 Coles Myer gift card, for her response on what 'First Nations' means to her:

“First Nations means working together towards a better financial future. First Nations is about Indigenous people taking charge of their money, and a way for the community to get behind that.”

Marion believes in the importance of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together on real projects that help ‘close the gap’. To her, being a member of First Nations is one way non-Indigenous Australians can show their support for Indigenous Australians as they build their financial futures. Financial empowerment of ordinary people is at the heart of the credit union movement so it is fitting that the credit union movement should work collaboratively with
Indigenous people as they shape and achieve their own financial goals.

Marion lives in Perth and works as the Manager of Community Development for a local government authority. Her motto is “put your money where your heart is”.