Analysis of the final consultation draft of the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative (CMSI) shows a low threshold for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and raises new concerns about governance, accountability, and the very definition of consent.

Australia's first treaty with First Nations establishes representation in government and accountability commission, World Conservation Congress adopts motions for Traditional Knowledge and sacred sites, Indigenous insights abound at week one of COP30, and more.

Tallgrass Institute published insights and takeaways from the October 28 webinar, Investor Briefing on Indigenous Peoples’ COP30 Priorities. Indigenous leaders and investment experts discussed key priorities and investor stewardship recommendations, including no-go zones, FPIC due diligence, direct funding for Indigenous climate action, and more.

Norway rejects wind farm application given impacts to Sami culture, Canada proposes $2.3 billion in cuts to Indigenous services, new report ahead of COP30 exposes industrial threats to Indigenous Peoples in tropical rainforests, and more.

Growing demand for renewable energy requires practices that respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights. The siting phase is an opportunity for investors to move away from business as usual to embrace models that respect Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination and mitigate material risks.

New study by Survival International identified at least 196 uncontacted Indigenous Peoples under threat, Inter-American human rights commission raised alarm on escalating violence in Nicaragua, Indigenous Peoples held first meeting on biodiversity convention Article 8(j), and more.

Bay Mills Indian Community’s advocacy to protect lands and waters from Enbridge Line 5 threats, Indigenous Peoples’ COP30 priorities, Gwich’in response to re-opening the Arctic Refuge for development, final Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative consultation, and more. 

Indigenous Peoples and Surinamese government update FPIC protocol, Tribes call on the US to reinstate CDFI fund and staff after cuts, more than 1000 Indigenous and Afro-descendant accredited for COP30, and more.

Tallgrass Institute has published a primer on the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), discussing the Standard’s structure, how its audits work, and key improvements and gaps in proposed revisions to the Standard's chapter about Indigenous Peoples and FPIC.

Typhoon Halong hits Alaska Indigenous villages with more than 1000 people without shelter, Peru considers bills that trade Indigenous Peoples protections for oil and gas development, a look at Indigenous impacts from Manifest Destiny in US Law, and more.

UN reports show escalating human rights abuses and erasure of Indigenous Peoples in Russia, Maya people in Yucatán concerned by major Heineken plant water use, Indigenous Guatemalans cleaned up Lake Atitlán and now protest further state-sanctioned harm, and more.

Tribes fear displacement from India mega dam set to counter upstream Chinese project, no Indigenous consent for impacts from Alaska Graphite One mine, Inter-American Development Bank reports Indigenous violations by Ecuadorian agribusiness giant, and more.

Amazon Indigenous Peoples denounce Ecuador’s $47B oil expansion plan citing lack of consultation, funding down 23% over four years for international tenure rights, half of $1.2B funds for Northeast Tribes in US may be cut, and more.

Primer on Tribal Benefit Agreements in the U.S., Keewaywin Fund discussion, check-in on proposed updates to the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, and more.

Over the last quarter, we connected Indigenous leaders to investors – through direct engagements, discussions around emerging issues for Tribes in the U.S., and publications – to build investor knowledge and action towards integration of Indigenous priorities even as we see constriction of investor leverage in the U.S. Our work is responsive to the generational view that Indigenous Peoples carry, and our role in this tense geopolitical moment is to keep the high-water mark for Indigenous Peoples and FPIC. 

New report documents 146 cases of homicides and kidnappings of land defenders in 2024, Norway’s $1.6 trillion pension fund divests from French mining giant over environmental and Indigenous rights risk, Cultural Survival Quarterly's Brazil issue ahead of COP30, and more.