IIPWG History & Engagements
IIPWG History
Since its inception, IIPWG’s founding principle remains steadfast: to bring together investors and Indigenous Peoples to forward the human rights of Indigenous Peoples through the capital markets.
IIPWG was formed in 2006 as the Indigenous Peoples Task Force and later the Indigenous Peoples Working Group of the US SIF Foundation, the supporting organization for US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment. Where US SIF considers environmental, social and corporate governance criteria to generate long-term competitive financial returns and positive societal impact, the Working Group additionally brought together Native and Non-Native communities in the area of sustainable and responsible investing.
An early priority for IIPWG was to create awareness throughout Indian Country of the opportunities available to Tribes through shareholder engagement. IIPWG was a guiding force in the publication of the US SIF Foundation’s tribal investor handbook, Creating a Sustainable World: A Guide to Responsible Stewardship of Tribal Assets (2010), and was successful in coordinating with nationally recognized organizations such as the Native American Finance Officers Association and the National Congress of American Indians to build the capacity of Tribes to participate in shareholder engagement strategies.
The IIPWG transitioned out of the US SIF Foundation in 2016. Continuing work has successfully mobilized wide investor support for numerous issues.
Engagement Highlights
Urging the U.S. to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (formally endorsed by the U.S. in 2011)
Supporting passage of the Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons and Peoples in Trademark Registration Act (2016)
Campaigns to improve the Equator Principles (2013 - 2019)
Petitioning banks to divest from the Dakota Access Pipeline (2016-2017)
Comments to the SEC to integrate Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the climate-related disclosures rule (2021-2022)
Engagements with U.S. and Canadian banks regarding risks and threats posed to Indigenous Peoples’ rights from oil sands pipelines financing (2022-2023)
Shareholder engagement to retire the Washington Football Team’s racist name and logo, among other sports franchises (2009 - ongoing)
Additionally, IIPWG collated the Indigenous Peoples and Engagement Timeline for Sustainable and Responsible Investing for 2006-2015 and 2016-2024 in GreenMoney Journal, which includes further engagement highlights. Links to more IIPWG news items, investor letters, statements, briefs, and more here.
In Memoriam
IIPWG’s work in Indian Country could not have been accomplished without the expertise and guiding wisdom of Susan S. White. Susan was a founding member of IIPWG and one of the foremost champions of tribal sovereignty through shareholder engagement until her untimely death in 2018.
As Director of Trusts for the Oneida Nation, Susan won numerous awards for her management of tribal assets using SRI strategy. Her advocacy on behalf of the Oneida Nation to protect water, land, and Indigenous Peoples achieved powerful results, and was recognized by the SRI Conference Service Award and the Harvard University Honoring Nations American Indian Economic Development Award. Her leadership on shareholder engagement for the Washington Football Team name change, which encompassed well more than a decade of direct action, was instrumental to the eventual retirement of the name and logo in 2020.
Susan’s spirit, tenacity, uncommon decency and deep rooted belief in the goodness of all people imbues the work of IIPWG. We are grateful to help carry forward her legacy. Learn more about Susan’s work.
More About IIPWG
For more information about IIPWG, download the one-pager. To join IIPWG please complete this form.
IIPWG 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.
Tallgrass Institute serves as Secretariat for IIPWG. If you would like to participate or learn more about IIPWG, please email info@tallgrassinstitute.org.
Top photo: Palisades Tahoe where IIPWG was formed in 2006 and pursued one of its first engagements; image via Palisades Tahoe.