Investors Seek Indigenous Economic Reconciliation Opportunities

Institutional investors are increasingly looking to support Indigenous economic reconciliation by exploring investment opportunities tied to Indigenous communities and developing action plans to advance truth and reconciliation, according to Joseph Bastien, associate director and Maada'ookii of inclusive economy at the Shareholder Association for Research and Education.

Bastien notes that institutional investors are showing a growing interest in understanding how their existing investments and new opportunities align with Indigenous rights and interests. This includes examining due diligence frameworks and decision-making processes to ensure Indigenous rights and related material issues are being identified and considered.

Investors are also seeking more opportunities that have Indigenous community participation, partnerships, and shared economic benefits, Bastien adds. 'In our conversations with institutional investors, there is consistent interest in hearing Indigenous Peoples' perspectives, learning which Canadian companies are leading the way, finding opportunities to support the development of the Indigenous economy, and understanding relevant legal and regulatory issues,' he says.