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Virtual presentations by the Investors & Indigenous Peoples Working Group with support from First Peoples Worldwide.

Identifying Indigenous-Led Funds for Catalytic Investing
November 21, 2024

Indigenous-led funds offer values-aligned investment opportunities that strengthen self-determination and foster mutual benefits for communities, enterprises, and investors. This webinar seeks to highlight and connect investors to diverse and powerful Indigenous-led funds transforming the landscape of business and self-determination. 
 
The Investors & Indigenous Peoples Working Group has partnered with Collective Action for Just Finance, which publishes the Transformative 25 – a list of funds, banks, and initiatives that demonstrate the power of innovative integrated capital strategies to reimagine and recreate a financial system that works for people and the planet. Join us to learn more about the impactful stories of Indigenous-led enterprises. 
 
Speakers:

• Dawn LeBeau, Senior Program Officer, Akiptan
• Keoni Lee, Co-CEO, Hawaiʻi Investment Ready
• Michelle Vassel, Tribal Administrator, Wiyot Tribe - Dishgamu Humboldt Community Land Trust
• Eileen Egan (Moderator), Committee Member, Transformative 25 

Read the summary article. 

Leveraging the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Shareholder Advocacy
June 20, 2024

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) represents the international consensus on the minimum standards to protect the rights and well-being of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. As such, the Declaration is a critical tool in shareholder advocacy to forward respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and self-determination. 

Featuring Indigenous leaders with broad expertise, this webinar will equip investors with a deeper understanding of the broad scope of UNDRIP and real-world examples of its implementation by Indigenous communities. The discussion will build investors' capacity to leverage the Declaration and uphold all rights of Indigenous Peoples in shareholder advocacy efforts, including in partnerships with Indigenous communities, corporate engagements, standard setting, and more.

Presenters:

• Lesle Jansen, Jamma International, ACRRA
• Pablo Mis, Julian Cho Society
• Aaron Jones, The Tulalip Tribes of Washington
• Jonas Kron (Moderator), Trillium Asset Management

Read the summary article.

Indigenous Rights Risk in the Energy Transition: Mining, Supply Chains & End-User Considerations
November 16, 2023

The transition to a low carbon economy through new and expanded uses of technologies requires minerals and other resources often found in traditional Indigenous lands and waters. According to one study, over half of global renewable energy mining projects are located on or near Indigenous Peoples' territories.

This webinar spotlights Indigenous leaders from several global regions to share their stories and solutions towards safeguarding their communities from the impacts of transition mineral and clean energy projects. In addition, advocates discuss how investors can scope for and address Indigenous Rights Risk and work to ensure safe and equitable mining operations, supply chains and end-user manufacturing – including automakers, big tech, and renewable energy producers. From how impacted Indigenous Peoples are securing their rights and priorities to where Indigenous Peoples are participating in project development, presenters give guidance for navigating risks and opportunities to protect both long-term shareholder value and the rights and cultures of Indigenous Peoples in the clean energy economy.

Presenters:

• Lesley Muñoz Rivera, Leadership Council, Community of Copiapó
• Matti Blind-Berg, Chairman, Swedish Sámi Herders Association
• Yblin Román Escobar, European Facilitator, Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Green Economy (SIRGE) Coalition
• Joseph Bastien, Associate Director, SHARE Reconciliation and Responsible Investment Initiative 
• Kate R. Finn (Moderator), Executive Director, First Peoples Worldwide

Read the summary article.

Investor Roundtable – Indigenous-Defined FPIC: Best Practices for Investment and Corporate Governance
June 15, 2023

Since the right of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) was enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples two decades ago, Indigenous Peoples across the world have codified and expanded FPIC as a spectrum to further self-determination. Companies across sectors, however, still lag on operationalizing basic FPIC principles where there are impacts on Indigenous Peoples’ rights, territories and communities.
 

• What are the core values and protocols Indigenous Peoples require in FPIC policy?
• How do companies navigate situations where two or more Indigenous communities don’t align on one course of action?
• How can shareholders help move the extractive industry and financial institutions to fully integrate Indigenous Rights Risk screening and FPIC due diligence?
• How can we create iterative FPIC processes, especially for projects that span generations?

 
This virtual working session spotlights a range of Indigenous and investment expertise to parse common questions about FPIC and its integration into corporate practice. Through discussion, resource sharing and breakout sessions, participants will gain a better understanding of Indigenous-defined FPIC requirements and how to forward Indigenous Peoples’ self-determined priorities through sustainable finance and impact investment. 

Presenters:

• Karlin Itchoak (“Nageak”), J.D., Imago Initiative, The Wilderness Society 
• Mark Sevestre, National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA) 
• Joseph Bastien, SHARE Reconciliation and Responsible Investment Initiative (RRII) 
• Nick Pelosi, EOS at Federated Hermes 
• Kate R. Finn (Moderator), First Peoples Worldwide 

Read the two-part article series that highlights main themes of the roundtable.

Indigenous Peoples, Biodiversity and Sustainable Finance
November 17, 2022

Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge and stewardship contributes significantly to both conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. In fact, Indigenous Peoples protect 80 percent of the Earth’s remaining biodiversity though only occupy an estimated 20 percent of the Earth's land mass. When Indigenous Peoples’ territories, communities, rights and wellbeing are at risk, so is global biodiversity.

Ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15), experts working to advance biodiversity at the intersection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and traditional ecological knowledge will equip financial sector participants with a better understanding of the priorities of Indigenous leaders in biodiversity protection and stewardship. 

Presenters:

• Galina Angarova, Executive Director, Cultural Survival
• Tina Rai, Director, Women4Biodiversity
• Anita De Horde, Finance for Biodiversity Foundation 
• Mary Beth Gallagher (Moderator), Director of Engagement, Domini Impact Investments

Hosted by Domini Impact Investments and Finance for Biodiversity Foundation. Presented by the Investors & Indigenous Peoples Working Group and First Peoples Worldwide.

Domini Impact Investment Disclaimer: This webinar is intended for informational purposes. The participants in this virtual discussion, Galina Angarova, Tina Rai, Anita De Horde, and Mary Beth Gallagher are not registered investment advisers. Galina Angarova, Tina Rai, and Anita De Horde, are not employed by or in any way affiliated with Domini Impact Investments (Domini). The information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but Domini does not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author/presenter as of the date of publication and are subject to change and do not constitute investment advice.

Investor Briefing: Elevating Indigenous Rights in ESG Disclosures
September 16, 2021

Growing concern about material risk from climate change is leading to reevaluation and reconceptualization of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards across industries. Recently, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) invited public comment on a potential rule for climate risk disclosure. One critical consideration in ESG risk assessment that is too often overlooked is violation of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights and land rights where businesses operate either domestically or internationally.

In this investor briefing, experts examined key recommendations in a letter to the SEC submitted by 22 environmental and Indigenous rights organizations, which addressed the multiple considerations when assessing impacts on Indigenous Peoples within ESG and climate disclosures. The panel also parsed critical issues raised in the letter, such as: Indigenous and tribal peoples’ land rights and its centrality to environmental and climate protection, overlap of Indigenous rights with all three pieces of the ESG landscape, and business risk when disregarding protections Indigenous Peoples enjoy under international law (legal, political, reputational, and operational). 

Presenters:

• Mark Podlasly, Director of Economic Policy and Initiatives, First Nations Major Projects Coalition 
• Richard Frias, Executive Director, Native American Finance Officers Association 
• Janene Yazzie, Co-Founder, Sixth World Solutions 
• Moira Birss, Climate & Finance Director, Amazon Watch 
• Timothy Smith (Moderator), Senior ESG Advisor, Boston Trust Walden, and a founding member of the Investor & Indigenous Peoples Working Group

Read the from Tribal Busienss News.

Investment in Indian Country: Supporting Sovereignty, Seeding Solutions
February 17, 2021

From values-aligned resource development to a women-led entrepreneurial boom, the current economic landscape in Indian Country is brimming with investment opportunities. This webinar brings together leaders in the field to share best practices for receiving pitches, consultation do’s and don’ts, and priorities for Indigenous communities in project development. The webinar highlights new and emerging funds in Indian Country, including entrepreneurial endeavors and larger-scale enterprises – all through the lens of sovereignty as a mutually beneficial investment strategy. 

Presenters: