Trading places: How a Native American company is finding common ground in Australia

Synergies between First Nations businesses in Australia and the US are helping forge unique partnerships and open export doors on both sides of the Pacific.

Leading this initiative is the AKANA GROUP INC., a tribal citizen-owned business, headquartered in Texas. The company name “Akana” means “ally” in the Choctaw tribal language. Akana operates 9 subsidiaries providing strategic and operational support services for Tribal governments, Indigenous communities and private-sector partners worldwide. Initially focused on equipment solutions for agriculture and infrastructure, Akana has expanded its capabilities to include defence and aerospace, as well as industries such as transport and manufacturing.

From trade mission to ‘open for business’

Akana’s President and CEO, Chad Johnson, is a ‘citizen of the Choctaw Nation’ and a passionate advocate for global trade and First Nations enterprises. 

Akana was one of 10 Native American delegates who attended the inaugural First Nations Trade Mission between Australia and the US in 2022. The mission, coordinated by Austrade, enabled delegates to engage with Australian First Nations business owners, industry representatives and key Australian government officials. They also attended Connect, the largest Indigenous business event in Australia.

‘It was a brilliant experience,’ says Johnson. ‘Even though Australia and the US are separated by thousands of miles, there were a lot of historic similarities in the way [First Nations] business is done. It allowed us to identify opportunities, forge relationships and get to the business aspects a lot faster.’

After returning to the US, Johnson contacted Austrade for advice on how to establish a business in Australia. ‘There was a tremendous amount of help and support from Austrade in laying the foundations,’ he says. 

Just a few months later, Akana became the first US Indigenous organisation to incorporate in Australia. Its Australian subsidiary, Akana Ittatoba – meaning ‘trading ally’ in the Choctaw language – is located in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. The area is home to Technology Park Adelaide and a diverse range of defence, aerospace and manufacturing organisations.  

‘We settled on South Australia because we wanted to be close to manufacturing groups,’ explains Johnson. ‘It’s a good fit for us and our support services.’

Akana Ittatoba has also opened an office in the Queensland capital of Brisbane and is eyeing potential expansion further north to Darwin.   

Helping Australian businesses to access the US defence market

As a certified Indigenous Super 8a business, Akana is eligible to receive US federal contracting preferences and assistance. The company can also provide unsolicited proposals to the US Department of Defense. Within these proposals, Akana can create joint ventures and partnerships with Australian defence SMEs, giving SMEs the opportunity to provide equipment and services to the US defence market. Austrade has been actively connecting Akana Ittatoba to Australian defence SMEs. 

‘The 8a program is a very powerful program,’ says Johnson. ‘It shortens the procurement process and allows easier access for companies like ours that are interested in working with the US Government and agencies like the Department of Defense. By working with a federal contractor like Akana, it gives our partners access to federal contracting deals and allows them to have more of a long-term focus.’

Akana Ittatoba has established up to 25 joint ventures (JVs) and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Australian partners, expanding trade and investment opportunities. 

Among them is a JV with Australian veteran-owned defence services provider Goal Group and US small business Andromeda Systems Incorporated. The 3 companies formed MarineTech Alliance after winning contracts to provide ship inspection maintenance, repair, overhaul and upkeep (MROU) work for both the Australian and US governments. 

Another strong ally of Akana’s is an Adelaide-based business, Ares Armaments. Together, Ares and Akana are focused on projects that strengthen Australia’s sovereign capabilities.   

A major advantage for Australian businesses is the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) that Akana activated in 2024, in partnership with a Tribal Nation in the US. This initiative offers huge potential tax and tariff reductions for companies looking to collaborate with Akana on US ventures.

Currently, there are ‘about 2 dozen’ Australian companies exporting into the US through their links with Akana, says Johnson. These include manufacturers of products such as solar, LED and new-tech tools, plus businesses in the defence, additive manufacturing and agricultural sectors. 

Supporting First Nations businesses

Johnson says the First Nations Trade Mission highlighted the common ground between Native Americans and First Nations peoples in Australia.

‘Indigenous peoples are the world’s first traders,’ he says. ‘There are similarities in terms of tribal politics, our relationship to Elders, and how business is done. We are focused on helping Australia’s First Nations peoples to access the US market.’

In October 2024, Akana Ittatoba announced a partnership with basketball star Patty Mills – a proud Kokatha/Naghiralgal and Dauareb/Meriam man – to launch Akana Mills. This new venture will focus on equipment solutions, supply chain management and logistics in Australia and internationally.

The Akana Ittatoba team is focusing on its burgeoning list of contracts and growing its Australian workforce as quickly as possible. But Johnson always keeps the bigger picture in mind. 

‘Indigenous people believe in generational impact,’ he says. ‘Are we providing an opportunity that actually creates an impactful moment that goes beyond a fiscal year … to the next 7 generations; that’s what I would like to see.’

Austrade helps Akana make the right connections

Johnson says Austrade continues to play an important role for Akana with numerous introductions to defence, advanced manufacturing and space clients, as well as hosting the company at sponsored events. ‘The support from Austrade has been right across the board. That’s good news for other investors thinking about coming to Australia.’ 

The connections also extend in the other direction. ‘Austrade has First Nations businesses that are looking to have access to the US market, and they feel they would be good partners with us,’ says Johnson. ‘This is not a one-way street; it’s reciprocal.’

Akana Ittatoba was recently awarded a 5-year US Navy contract for projects in the Indo-Pacific region, more specifically Australia, New Zealand and Japan. That means significant expansion of its Australian workforce and operations. 

‘We see it as a continuing investment in the country,’ says Johnson, noting further opportunities in other sectors. ‘With the agreements that Australia has with countries like the US and UK in areas like space and satellites, we think we’re in a really good position to help propel those types of programs forward, too.’