The prime minister says a newly established 'economic partnership' between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations will deliver 'economic sovereignty' to First Nations communities.
Battling a severe cold while appearing at Garma festival on Saturday, Anthony Albanese said the new partnership between the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance, the Coalition of Peaks and the government recognises that Indigenous people are 'economic beings'.
"We want to build on this strength," the prime minister said.
"Our Government also wants to work with communities as economic decision-makers, to unlock the true potential of their land and their endeavour."
The plan, Mr Albanese said, accords with the Closing the Gap principle of shared decision making.
Garma, the annual festival of ideas, politics and community, is held by the Yothu Yindi foundation on Gumatj Country, at the sacred site of Gulkula.
The organisation's namesakes Yothu Yindi, the famed band who sang of 'Treaty' with First Nations peoples, will perform on Saturday evening after Mr Albanese's speech.
'We want a real economy'
Equally anticipated on Saturday was the address of Yothu Yindi Foundation Chair Djawa Yunupingu.
Fresh from the High Court win in March which delivered historic compensation for mining on Gumatj Country, Yunupingu first spared a thought for the lingering hurt of the referendum's result in 2023.
"We knew we had to move on, we talked about it last year and we shed a tear together and now it is behind us," he said.
“Even though we live with shredded dreams we must look to the future.
“[The High Court decision] removed laws that refused to recognise the truth of our land.
"It reminded Australia that Yolngu law is older and deeper than the constitution."
Mr Yunupingu criticised what he characterised as a 'welfare economy' in the area.
"We want to change that once and for all ... PM we want a real economy in Arnhem Land," he said to the prime minister, seated alongside him on stage.
Millions in funding for clean energy projects, mobile TAFE
In keeping with his appearance as last year's keynote speaker, the prime minister avoided mention of the remaining pillars of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, namely truth and treaty, instead focussing on 'economic empowerment'.
Millions of dollars in new funding for First Nations communities were announced in the speech, amongst some coughing and nose-blowing.
$70 million will go towards establishing clean energy projects.
"This is about renewable energy generating good jobs in regional and remote Australia," reads the prime minister's speech.
"And making sure that people in some of the sunniest places on this continent don’t have to rely on diesel generators to light and power their homes."
There is also funding - and changes - slated for Native Title Organisations.
As the new economic partnership's first order of business, the funding model for Prescribed Bodies Corporate, the managing bodies for the rights and interests of native title groups, will be overhauled.
Addtionally, $75 million will be committed to help Native Title holders "secure better deals [and] drive faster approvals" for projects.
"We must end the stalemate that arises when Native Title Organisations with little in the way of back of house, or legal and commercial expertise are expected to negotiate with multinational firms," Mr Albanese will say.
The prime minister will also spruik a multi-million dollar investment in 'mobile TAFE' initiative.
Some 40,000 First Nations people have enrolled in free TAFE across the country.
$31 million will go towards getting TAFE teachers on the road, delivering skills training in partnership with community-controlled organisations.
"So that instead of communities relying on drive-in, drive-out workers to build and maintain the new homes ... or to deliver vital health care ... locals get that training."
