IIPWG Webinars
Webinars, roundtables and virtual presentations by the Investors & Indigenous Peoples Working Group.
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. Read the summary article.
Presenters: Dawn LeBeau, Senior Program Officer, Akiptan; Keoni Lee, Co-CEO, Hawaiʻi Investment Ready; Michelle Vassel, Tribal Administrator, Wiyot Tribe - Dishgamu Humboldt Community Land Trust; and Eileen Egan (Moderator), Committee Member, Transformative 25.
Leveraging the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Shareholder Advocacy
June 20, 2024
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. Read the summary article.
Presenters: Lesle Jansen, Jamma International, ACRRA; Pablo Mis, Julian Cho Society; Aaron Jones, The Tulalip Tribes of Washington; and Jonas Kron (Moderator), Trillium Asset Management.
Indigenous Rights Risk in the Energy Transition: Mining, Supply Chains & End-User Considerations
November 16, 2023
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. Read the summary article.
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; and Kate R. Finn (Moderator), Executive Director, First Peoples Worldwide at CU Boulder
Investor Roundtable – Indigenous-Defined FPIC: Best Practices for Investment and Corporate Governance
June 15, 2023
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. Read the summary articles.
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); and Nick Pelosi, EOS at Federated Hermes.
Indigenous Peoples, Biodiversity and Sustainable Finance
November 17, 2022
Ahead of the 2022 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; and Mary Beth Gallagher (Moderator), Director of Engagement, Domini Impact Investments.
Investor Briefing: Elevating Indigenous Rights in ESG Disclosures
September 16, 2021
Experts examine key recommendations in a letter to the SEC that raises critical issues of climate risk policy, 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). Read the corresponding article from Tribal Busienss News.
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; and Timothy Smith (Moderator), Senior ESG Advisor, Boston Trust Walden, and a founding member of the Investor & Indigenous Peoples Working Group
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. Read the summary article.
Presenters: Chrystel Cornelius, CEO and President, Oweesta Corporation; Jaime Gloshay, Co-Director, Native Women Lead; Jacqueline Jennings, Venture Partner, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners; Director, The Fireweed Fellowship; and Jennifer Astone (Moderator), Principal, Integrated Capital Investing.
Collaboration and Consent: Prioritizing Indigenous Rights in Investment
March 18, 2021
The webinar is designed for investors new to collaborating with Indigenous Peoples and communities, to those with long experience in social and impact investing, and for tribal and Indigenous finance leaders who are working to build and strengthen economic development in their communities. Topics covered are how investment can align with Indigenous Peoples' rights, discussion of engagement practices and basic human rights priorities for Indigenous Peoples, and how to operationalize free, prior and informed consent throughout project development. Read the summary document and related FPIC primer.
Presenters: Becky Albert-Breed, First Nations Community Financial; Nikki Pieratos, NDN Fund / NDN Collective; Anouska Perram, Forest Peoples Programme; and Steven Heim (Moderator), Boston Common Asset Management
IPWG hosts a monthly strategy call for participants that serves as a clearinghouse for information, news, and joint action to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities on issues related to sustainable and responsible investing and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Resources include a monthly newsletter, investor briefs and toolkits, webinars, roundtables, and more.
Download the one-pager.
For more information and to register to attend calls, please complete this form. Find details about IIPWG Canada here.
Tallgrass Institute serves as Secretariat for IIPWG. If you would like to participate or learn more about IIPWG, please contact us here.
Top photo: Palisades Tahoe where IIPWG was formed and pursued one of its first engagements; image via Palisades Tahoe.