October 2024 Newsletter
Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
On September 13, we celebrated the 17th anniversary of the General Assembly’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This milestone served as a crucial reminder about the importance of supporting Indigenous Peoples in their pursuit of self-determination. As we honor this important date, we continue to recognize that the ongoing implementation of UNDRIP is essential for fostering justice and equity. We commend our partners and relatives for their advocacy for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and communities worldwide.
Video Series
Yasnaya Elena Aguilar Gil is a member of The Christensen Fund’s Indigenous Leaders Program. She is an Ayuuk Indigenous writer, linguist, translator, researcher, activist, and member of COLMIX Collective. In this video, she talks about the importance of linguistic diversity and the linguistic rights of Indigenous Peoples. This video is part of a series, The Christensen Fund, filmed at this year’s United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Climate Week September 22-29
We are excited about the opportunity that Climate Week presented for Indigenous Peoples to share their voices in the climate dialogue. This year’s theme, “It’s Time,” highlighted the urgency for collective action and innovation. The Christensen Fund co-sponsored several events focused on Indigenous-led climate solutions and encouraged awareness about the importance of direct funding for Indigenous-led efforts.
Numerous in-person and virtual events occurred throughout the week, providing a platform for Indigenous perspectives.
Recent Partner News
Pastoralist Peoples’ Initiative recently organized a cultural festival for the Rendille People, whose culture and languages are threatened by modernization. The event attracted a huge attendance, including local and national leaders.
The Christensen Fund congratulates CIELO on their tenth anniversary on October 2. They have done amazing work with Indigenous groups across Mexico. Join the celebration!
Sicangu Co welcomed Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i (WKT) students back for the 2024-2025 school year! WKT is the only Lakota immersion school on the Rosebud Reservation, and this year, it has expanded to include a new kindergarten class, making it a K-4th grade school!
Forest Peoples Programme released a joint statement with Rainforest Foundation UK, Amnesty International, and Indigenous Peoples’ Law and Policy Programme (IPLP) welcoming the African Commission’s ruling that the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) violated Batwa peoples’ rights when it forcibly evicted them from their ancestral land in the 1970s to create the Kahuzi Biega National Park. It is a significant victory for the Batwa people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and a step towards more inclusive conservation practices in the region.
The Christensen Fund Partners Gathering in Kenya
This month, the Christensen Fund organized a convening in Nanyuki, Kenya, bringing together thirty-two partner organizations from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. Self-determination, the right of Indigenous Peoples to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development, formed the central theme of the gathering. We recognize self-determination as a core right of Indigenous Peoples to maintain their traditional ways of life, protect their lands and resources, and participate fully in decisions affecting their futures.
The gathering focused on several critical themes intrinsically linked to self-determination: land rights and pastoral issues, wildlife conservation, carbon trading, green energy transition, and climate change. Partners explored these topics through the lens of how they impact Indigenous Peoples’ ability to exercise self-determination, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. Partners shared strategies, successes, and ongoing challenges in their efforts to empower Indigenous communities to control their own destinies.
Our gathering coincided with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, allowing us to celebrate together in person at IMPACT Kenya, and further emphasized the global significance of Indigenous self-determination and the need for continued support and advocacy.
We understand that the right to self-determination requires ongoing support, resources, and collaboration. Our gathering sought to support the collective capacity of our incredible partners who work every day to advance Indigenous self-determination across Africa. We are humbled to see the ripple effect of empowerment across Indigenous communities in Africa, furthering the cause of self-determination and sustainable outcomes in our interconnected world.
Above: Basiru Isu, Secretary General of the Network of Indigenous and Local Communities, Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC) and Indigenous Leader with The Christensen Fund; Hussein Tadicha, Executive Director, Centre for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD); Daniel Kobei, Founder and Executive Director, Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP); Eileen Wakesho– Director, Community Land Protection, Namati.
We are honored by the presence of our amazing partners. As Hassan Roba reflected, “Beyond addressing major obstacles affecting Indigenous Peoples’ self determination in Africa, the gathering has helped our partners to realize the power and opportunities of building solidarity towards a just cause. What remains are actions that would lead toward achieving these goals.”
The Christensen Fund Announces Program Related Investment in Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund
As part of The Christensen Fund's pledge to provide catalytic capital for projects that can have a transformative impact for Indigenous communities, we have committed $2 million over a seven year term to support the Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund (RIOF.) The RIOF is founded by and for Indigenous communities. It is a first of-its-kind Indigenous-led fund of $50M CAD ($37.5M USD) dedicated to Indigenous outcomes-based financing deals, otherwise known as pay-for-success projects or pay-for-performance projects.
With their Indigenous Outcomes Fund, Raven has developed a strong pathway model for meeting their Community Development Outcome Contracts goals. This begins with Indigenous community-initiated calls for solutions, community leader engagement, demonstrated management capacity, and a process of defining the feasibility and clarity of a pathway to solutions.
At the heart of their approach to creating new and inclusive financing structures is The Solutions Lab. The Solutions Lab convenes Indigenous leaders such as elders, Chief, Council, and members of the target beneficiary demographic. The convening employs community learning to build trust-based relationships inclusive of Indigenous protocols and ceremony. Here, the participants co-design outcome measures and metrics with a focus on both governance and operational leadership as key to success and reducing leadership risk.
Raven’s work is innovative and impactful for First Nations and Indigenous Peoples globally. By harnessing their financial acumen and trust as well as engaging in deep collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, Raven has reduced the risk for investors seeking positive outcomes in communities considered too risky for investment of any type beyond grant funding. The return on investment is positive, the social and economic impacts are significant and align with The Christensen Fund’s core value of self-determined Indigenous outcomes.
IMPACT CHARITABLE
This exciting program related investment was set up with Impact Charitable, which exists to unite catalytic philanthropists, community partners, financial institutions, foundations, social enterprises, and governmental bodies. Impact Charitable helps close the gaps between the sources of impact-first capital and communities, ventures, and funds who have traditionally faced systemic barriers to accessing critical financial resources. This collaboration with Impact Charitable makes it easy for people to invest alongside us.
If you are interested in joining us in these investments, contact: cindy@impactcharitable.org or shawn@christensenfund.org
Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook for regular news and updates on our partners. And click here to read more about our Program Related Investments.
The 23rd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Twenty-Third Session: April 15-26, 2024
This April, The Christensen Fund’s entire board and staff came together with our partners to participate in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Our Board made the decision to gather everyone together with our partners during this year’s Permanent Forum to manifest our deeply-held commitments and values to stand in solidarity with our partners in our shared work. We were also fortunate to harness this unique opportunity to listen, learn, and deepen our connectivity to the organizations and communities we serve.
UNPFII 2024
Established in 2000 by the United Nations following longtime advocacy by Indigenous Peoples, the Permanent Forum carries out its mandate to address Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights. The Permanent Forum is one of the three UN bodies specific to Indigenous Peoples (others are the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.) The work of the Permanent Forum is guided by a thematic focus, which in 2024 is “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth.”
The Christensen Fund Board of Trustees at UNPFII
Through this thematic lens, in the days leading up to the Forum itself, we were honored to convene a series of discussions on our partners' important work and expertise on several critical topics, including: Upholding Indigenous Rights: Navigating the United Nations Framework (with International Indian Treaty Council, Permanent Forum members, and COLMIX Collective); Financing a Future Just Transition: Sustainable Development and Advancing Indigenous Rights in the Green Economy (with AMAN and REPALEAC); and Implementing UNDRIP Worldwide - (with our cohorts of Indigenous Leaders).
The Christensen Fund Partners at UNPFII
The Permanent Forum is an intense two week programme of work for our partners, and we are grateful to have also hosted a joyful celebration to welcome our partners who traveled from far and wide to New York, including:
Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation, AWE TIBUAME A. C., Charapa, Coalition of Large Tribes, Four Directions, Consultoría Técnica Comunitaria, Cultural Survival, Inc., Federación Indígena Empresarial y Comunidades Locales de México. A.C., First Peoples Worldwide, Forest Peoples Programme, Foro para el Desarrollo Sustentable AC, Grist, If Not Us Then Who, International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, International Indian Treaty Council, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, Land Is Life, Native American Rights Fund, National Congress of American Indians, Native Hawaiian Philanthropy, Pastoral Women's Council, re:wild, The Pawanka Fund, The Tenure Facility, Traditional Ecosystems Survival Tanzania, Ujamaa Community Resource Team, Wataniba, and so many more! We were also honored to co-host the Permanent Forum’s annual cultural celebration with longtime partner Land is Life.
The Christensen Fund's UNPFII Floor Statement
The Christensen Fund, in solidarity with our partners and Indigenous Peoples worldwide, also presented a statement on the floor of the
United Nations during the Permanent Forum to amplify the the concerns of Indigenous Peoples as to donor activities, and the need for donors to respect Indigenous Peoples' rights as a nonnegotiable minimum standard in all pressing matters that affect them.
A video of the statement can be viewed here.
We are, once again and as always, awed and humbled by the incredible work of our amazing partners. We are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to share space alongside them at the world’s largest annual gathering of Indigenous Peoples.
Additional News From The Christensen Fund Partners and Leaders:
-The Christensen Fund Publishes its Annual Report - The Christensen Fund's 2023 Annual Report: Supporting Indigenous Rights
-Fawn Sharp Appointed to the Nature Conservancy’s Global Board of Directors
-Oweesta Awarded $156,120,000 through the federal "Solar For All" Program to help continue to bring sustainable energy to Indian Country
-Indigenous Peoples Rights International's Indigenous Peoples and the Just Transition conference in NY was a huge success. Read more about it here.
-The Christensen Fund Makes an Investment in TAHITO
-The Christensen Fund participated in the Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN) annual convening Funding Futures Festival at Tbilisi, Georgia, April 23-26, where we networked, shared ideas and participated along with our partners FIMI, Fondo Defensores, EDC, and Cultural Survival
The Christensen Fund's 2023 Annual Report: Supporting Indigenous Rights
The Christensen Fund is excited to share our 2023 annual report with our colleagues around the world. More so than ever before, our values are rooted in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). To support the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples, we prioritize Indigenous-led organizations, including Indigenous-led funds.
In our practice of trust-based philanthropy, we almost always provide general operating support grants, maintain flexible requirements and criteria, and prioritize joint learning rather than stringent monitoring and evaluation. We strive to create connections between communities and movements at the grassroots, subnational, national and international levels.
Thanks to our Board, staff, philanthropic colleagues and partners around the globe for informing our strategy and helping us reflect on all the learning that occurred in 2023.
Groundbreaking Investment in Two Native Organizations
The Christensen Fund launches Program Related Investment Initiative
Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace
The Christensen Fund has committed a $3,000,000 Program Related Investment (PRI) to Tocabe’s Indigenous Marketplace, a Native-owned and operated restaurant and marketplace offering ready-made Harvest Meals™ that specializes in Native American cuisine.
This investment will help build out their new direct-to-Tribe meal program and support their construction of a Native food producers supply chain.
Tocabe is currently the only Native-owned and operated restaurant and marketplace offering ready-made Harvest Meals™ that specializes in Native American cuisine. Indigenous ingredients are sourced from Native farmers, ranchers, producers and caretakers. Their methodology goes beyond farm to table and is described as, “Seed to Soul.” Indigenous-sourced ingredients provide healthy meals that not only nourish but contribute to the revitalization and preservation of Indigenous culture. Tocabe feeds the soul.
The support from The Christensen Fund goes directly to the development of Tocabe’s Indigenous Marketplace and ready-made Harvest Meals available to order online, thereby broadening accessibility to Native foods. Tocabe’s vision is to embrace the traditions of American Indian Cuisine and ingredients by building community through food. As stated on their website: "We believe that food is more than just sustenance — it's a powerful way to connect with our heritage, our community, and each other. Join us in our mission to interlink Native and Indigenous food systems with every household to make sure all peoples have access to foods that nourish our communities from seed to soul."
Get to know more about Tocabe & even order some of their products at https://www.tocabe.com/
In the news:
Why Osage Chef Ben Jacobs Launched a Direct-Tribe Meal Delivery Service - Saveur
Tocabe Expands With Line of Native-Made Frozen Meals - Westword
Oweesta Corporation
The Christensen Fund has also committed a $1,000,000 PRI to Ow
eesta, a corporation committed to investing in Native Sovereignty, to further their leadership and support for Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI.)
Oweesta Corporation, whose name is derived for the Mohawk word for "money," is the longest standing Native CDFI intermediary offering financial products and development services exclusively to Native CDFIs and Native communities, thereby providing opportunities for Native people to develop financial assets and to create wealth. For over 20 years, Oweesta has provided the tools, training, and capital to help Native people control their economic destinies.
Native CDFIs like Oweesta directly provide Native American communities the tools and capital support required for real and sustainable job creation, small business development, commercial real estate development, and affordable housing/home ownership, while also offering basic banking services and financial literacy training to "underbanked" Native American communities who have been historically targeted by predatory lending practices. In their 20+ years in existence, Oweesta has many success stories and The Christensen Fund is proud to support their monumental work for Indigenous enterprises, communities and individuals.
Get to know more about Oweesta and their current projects here: https://www.oweesta.org/
Impact Charitable
Both of these groundbreaking PRIs were set up in collaboration with Impact Charitable, which exists to unite catalytic philanthropists, community partners, financial institutions, foundations, social enterprises, and governmental bodies. Impact Charitable helps close the gaps between the sources of impact-first capital and communities, ventures, and funds who have traditionally faced systemic barriers to accessing critical financial resources. This collaboration with Impact Charitable makes it easy for people to invest alongside us.
If you are interested in joining us in these investments, contact: cindy@impactcharitable.org or shawn@christensenfund.org
In the news:
Impact Charitable Announcement of Oweesta PRI
Purpose Aligned Capital
As part of the Purpose Aligned Capital plan, The Christensen Fund established a Purpose-Aligned Investment portfolio seeking to catalyze Indigenous-focused investment opportunities and enhance the impact of The Christensen Fund's endowed assets. Purpose-Aligned Investments have a dual objective: to further The Christensen Fund's purpose of supporting Indigenous peoples in advancing their inherent rights, dignity, and self-determination, while also meeting the investment objectives for the endowment to sustain The Christensen Fund's grand making and operations.
Together with its outsourced investment office Global Endowment Management (GEM,) The Christensen Fund developed a framework for assessing the Purpose-alignment of any investment opportunity. The framework consists of three factors -- Indigenous leadership, demonstrated engagement with Indigenous communities, and integration of an Indigenous lens in the investment process -- and created a shared language for understanding Purpose-alignment in an investment context.
The Christensen Fund made its first two Purpose-Aligned Investments at the end of 2023 in TAHITO and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners.
TAHITO is an Indigenous-led long-only public equity fund that incorporates a traditional Maori worldview into the fund's investment philosophy and selection process. The fund was co-founded by Temuera Hall, a member of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Te Urawa Maori tribes. The investment philosophy centers on the Maori view of the connection and interdependence of all things. Maori ethics put people and the environment first as fundamental to any thriving community. The fund invests in Australian and New Zealand public equities and has a detailed ethical process that includes both positive and negative screens, supporting alignment with The Christensen Fund's values and purpose.
Raven Indigenous Capital Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm led by two Indigenous partners. The Christensen Fund committed to Raven's Opportunities Fund I, which is deploying additional capital into some of Raven's highest conviction portfolio companies in their first fund, which closed at the beginning of 2023. Raven's brand with Indigenous entrepreneurs is unmatched and their focus on supporting Indigenous-led businesses has resulted in ~70% of its portfolio companies having majority Indigenous ownership.
Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook for regular news and updates on our partners.