Takeaways: August 2026 IIPWG Newsletter
Items excerpted from the August 2026 Investors & Indigenous Peoples Working Group (IIPWG) Newsletter. IIPWG strategy calls take place the third Thursday of the month. Learn more.
Highlights from the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot, North American Member, debriefed the mandate of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) and discussed highlights from the 19th EMRIP Session held July 13-17 in Geneva, Switzerland. Takeaways include:
Indigenous leaders addressed concerns and opportunities with AI, leading community practices, and the importance of proper frameworks for Indigenous Peoples’ data sovereignty (watch AI and Indigenous Peoples’ rights panel recording here).
EMRIP provides thematic expert advice on issues affecting Indigenous Peoples, conducts country engagements, and publishes thematic expert reports that investors may find informative, including Free, prior and informed consent: a human rights-based approach (2018).
Dr. Lightfoot encouraged investors to submit responses to EMRIP’s next thematic report focused on business and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Submissions open in late 2026 and may include learnings, challenges, and how to move forward with respectful business practices.
The final report from EMRIP’s 19th Session is expected September 2026 and recordings are available for all sessions.
August FPIC Working Group
During the August IIPWG FPIC Working Group call, participant discussion focused on grievance mechanisms and remedy, incorporating Indigenous Peoples’ rights into financing, and metrics relating to FPIC and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. The next call is Thursday, October 1 at 1:00pm ET.
Upcoming Events
Climate Week NYC
🗓️ Sept. 20-27 |📍New York City, NY
Rights, Risk, and Resilience: Energy Transition Investments and Indigenous and Community Engagement | Sept. 21, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Vision 2030: Indigenous Peoples and Transition Minerals Strategy Gathering | Sept. 23, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Braiding Capital like Sweetgrass: Indigenous Luncheon on Climate Finance and Reparations | Sept. 23, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) Fall Conference
🗓️ Oct. 6-8 |📍New York City, NY
PRI in Person
🗓️ Oct. 13-15 |📍Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) Impact Forum 2026
🗓️ Oct. 27-29 |📍Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Growth for Impact Conference: Responsible Investing in an Era of Uncertainty, Change and Polarization
🗓️ Nov. 8-11 |📍 Phoenix, AZ
Resources
Indigenous Peoples and the 2026 AGM Season | Tallgrass Institute
Underinvestment in Indian Country: How federal and philanthropic funding to Native Americans falls short, and how to fix it | The Brookings Institution, American Indian College Fund
Inaugural Annual Report | National Council for Reconciliation
Debates Indígenas - August 2026 | International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
7 Actions to Take on Int'l Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2026 | Cultural Survival