History of the Investors & Indigenous Peoples Working Group (IIPWG)
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 . 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, (2010), and was successful in coordinating with nationally recognized organizations such as the and the 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, including:
Urging the U.S. the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2010)
Supporting passage of the (2016)
Petitioning banks to divest from the Dakota Access Pipeline (2016-2017)
Campaigns to improve the Equator Principles (2013 - ongoing)
Sponsor engagement to retire the Washington Football Team’s racist name and logo (2009 - ongoing)
IIPWG Timeline
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2020
2020
June - Investors worth $620 billion AUM called on sponsors of the Washington Football Team to change its racist name, which was retired in July. The initiative was led by Trillium Asset Management, Boston Trust Walden, Oneida Trust, First Peoples Worldwide, Boston Common Asset Management, First Affirmative Financial Network, and Mercy Investments.​
March - In collaboration with IIPWG, Green Money Journal published and issues.
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2019
2019
August - Institutional investors representing $1.2 trillion AUM to improve proposed revisions to the Equator Principles; a redline to the draft and an outcomes document were also submitted.
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2017
2017
February - called on banks financing the Dakota Access Pipeline to address the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s request to reroute the pipeline; Lead investor Boston Common Asset Management was joined by Storebrand Asset Management and Calvert Research and Management, with support from First Peoples Worldwide, CalPERS and the Comptroller of the City of New York.d arrive at a peaceful solution that is acceptable to all parties.
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2015
2015
August - Green Money Journal on Indigenous Peoples and Impact Investing in collaboration with IIPWG. The issue included the Indigenous Peoples and Engagement Timeline for Sustainable and Responsible Investing for and .
February - Institutional investors encouraging the World Bank to strengthen protection of rights of Indigenous Peoples in new standards.
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2013
2013
- Oneida Trust co-hosted the Tribal Trust and Investment Workshop for Native American leaders and SRI practitioners.
- Institutional investors signed letters supporting HR 1278 Non- Disparagement of Native American Persons and Peoples in Trademark Registration Act.
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2011
2011
The National Congress of American Indians held its first panel on SRI.
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2010
2010
- Oneida Trust hosted the first SRI in Oneida conference, and won an Honoring Nations award from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government for their management of tribal assets using a SRI strategy.
- The National Congress of American Indians adopted a resolution encouraging Tribal Governments to adopt a SRI policy with regards to their investable assets.
- Institutional investors signed letters urging the U.S. to endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was later adopted at the end of the year.
- Members of the Indigenous Peoples Working Group of US SIF Foundation provided a scholarship for a Native American student to prepare for and take the Certified Financial Planner exam.
- The Native American Finance Officers Association begins holding annual panels including SRI and shareholder advocacy at their conferences.
- US SIF Foundation published , co-authored by Peter DeSimone, Social Investment Forum and Donald Trone, CEO of Strategic Ethos and president of the Foundation for Fiduciary Studies with contributions from Sylvia Panek, program coordinator for the Indigenous Peoples Working Group.
In Memoriam
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.