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.
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.