Many Voices Forum
The Many Voices Forum was a participant-led "unconference" designed to empower the Indigenous business sector. By utilising a human-centric "Connect, Yarn, Plan, Act" methodology, the initiative addressed systemic issues inherent in traditional forum models while also producing an actionable roadmap for economic participation, cultural safety, and community-led growth.
About the project
The Many Voices Forum was a cornerstone initiative of the 2022 Queensland Indigenous Business Expo and Forum (QIBEF), delivered by IM on behalf of the South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. The project was designed to transition away from traditional conference models by facilitating a participant-led "unconference" that prioritised genuine conversation over pre-determined panel topics. The scope of the work involved the conceptual development and complete delivery of the forum, which brought together Indigenous business owners, professionals, and supporters to discuss specialised interests within the sector. By creating a flexible environment for targeted yarning sessions, the forum aimed to capture diverse perspectives from across Queensland to help build a strong, dynamic, and impactful Indigenous business ecosystem for the decade ahead.
The challenge
This initiative sought to address the lack of unified grassroots platforms where Indigenous micro- and small-business owners could connect on their own terms. Traditional industry forums often suffer from ‘panel fatigue', where the same voices repeatedly discuss the same issues without providing space for specialised cohorts such as youth, women, or regional operators. This homogeneity overlooks that the Indigenous business sector is multi-faceted rather than monolithic, with interests that are sometimes collaborative and sometimes competing. There was also a critical need to bridge the communication gap between government policy and individual businesses, to address inequities, red tape, and deficit-based perceptions that frequently hinder Indigenous economic participation through business.
The solution
Springboarding from this starting point, IM developed a human-centric methodology for the forum's program based on the cycle: Connect, Yarn, Plan, and Act. This approach utilised a facilitator-and-scribe model for each session to ensure that all voices were heard and that key issues and context were accurately documented. The forum was structured into multiple Special Interest Groups (SIGs) covering diverse areas, including recruitment, procurement, mumpreneurs, and youth in business. By allowing participants to set the scene and dictate the topics, IM fostered an environment where conversations could flow naturally without the interruption of a rigid guiding hand. This methodology emphasised cultural safety and relationship-building, encouraging non-Indigenous participants to practice listening and curiosity while ensuring that all Indigenous participants remained equal within the yarning space.
The results
The Many Voices Forum successfully activated the Indigenous business community, producing a comprehensive report that collated and synthesised the outcomes of nine distinct yarning sessions. The initiative identified concrete next steps for the sector, including the formation of sub-committees, regional working groups, and online platforms for ongoing discussion. Tangible results included developing cultural criteria for community-led business assessments and identifying new avenues for Indigenous hiring and upskilling. Ultimately, the forum provided a safe platform for community voices to influence the future roadmap for Indigenous business in Queensland, building mutually beneficial partnerships into the coming decade.
Project services: engagement, research-and-evaluation