Tallgrass Institute

The racist edict that allowed Columbus to colonize and slaughter Indigenous people is still the law in the U.S. today. What holiday we celebrate on the second Monday in October matters because it reflects the beliefs we hold about who we are and where we come from as a country.

After years of advocacy and growing awareness of Columbus’s human rights abuses, some states and cities switched to celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. Now, we are witnessing the backlash to that modicum of change. Full post on my substack now:

Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day, we remember that Native Nations are still here — revitalizing languages, lifeways, and governance rooted in balance and community.

#SinkColumbus #AbolishColumbusDay #IndigenousPeoplesDay #IndigenousPeoplesDay2025

News of Note 10/10/25: Grave Situation for Indigenous Peoples in Russia, Heineken Plant Taps Mayan Water, Indigenous Clean-up of Guatemala Pollution — Tallgrass Institute 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 A...

UN reports 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. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

News of Note 10/3/25: India Mega-Dam’s Indigenous Impacts, No Consent for Alaska Graphite Mine, Bank Slams Agribusiness in Ecuador — Tallgrass Institute Tribes fear displacement from India mega dam set to counter Chinese upstream project, no Indigenous consent for impacts from Alaska Graphite One mine, Inter-American Development Bank reports Indigenou...

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.

For over 150 years, U.S. and Canadian government-mandated boarding schools forcibly removed more than 150,000 Indigenous children from their families, cultures, and languages, subjecting them to assimilation through trauma and violence. #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay

Tallgrass Institute Publishes FPIC Due Diligence Guide for Insurers — Tallgrass Institute Tallgrass Institute’s Free, Prior and Informed Consent Due Diligence for Insurers provides insurance companies with a framework to operationalize due diligence to respect the rights of Indigenous Peop...

By adopting strong Indigenous Peoples' rights due diligence and #FPIC policies, insurers benefit from more understanding of risk mitigation, legal compliance, and reduced liability. Read more in Free, Prior and Informed Consent Due Diligence for Insurers: www.tallgrassinstitute.org/articles/tal...

News of Note 9/26/25: No Indigenous Consultation in Ecuador’s Oil Expansion, Global Tenure Rights Funding Down, Half of Tribal Funding at Risk in US — Tallgrass Institute 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 Tr...

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. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

IIPWG September 2025 Newsletter Tribal Benefit Agreements, Keewaywin Fund, IRMA 2.0, and More

#IIPWG September 2025: 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. mailchi.mp/tallgrassins...

Tallgrass Institute - Fall 2025 2025 AGM Report, Tribal Benefit Agreements, Climate Week Events and More

"Our work as a Center for Indigenous Economic Stewardship is to care for — with intentionality, time, and foresight — Indigenous economic visions as part of building strong and healthy communities."

Read more from our Fall 2025 Newsletter: mailchi.mp/tallgrassins...

News of Note 9/19/25: Violence Against Land Defenders, Norway Divests from Mining Threats, ‘Brazil is Indigenous Land’ — Tallgrass Institute 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 ris...

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

Protecting Indigenous Peoples' rights while ensuring a low-carbon and sustainable future, Indigenous women's perspectives in the energy transition, rights-based rethinking of transportation to reduce mining impacts and more at #ClimateWeekNYC. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/just-tr...

News of Note 9/12/25: TikTok Data Center Impacts, UN Urges San Protections, Study Shows Health Benefits from Indigenous Land Protection — Tallgrass Institute Anacé filed formal complaint about water and subsistence impacts from major TikTok data center in Brazil, UN rapporteur urged protection for evicted San people, new study shows rainforest preservation...

Anacé filed a formal complaint about water impacts from major TikTok data center in Brazil, UN rapporteur urged protection for evicted San, new study shows rainforest preservation on Indigenous lands protects from disease, and more. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

Indigenous Peoples are at the heart of climate solutions. Join us at #NYClimateWeek with #SIRGE Coalition, @earthworks.bsky.social and more:
A Just Climate Transition
📅 Sept 23, 2025 | 🕙 10:30 am ET
📍 NYC + Virtual
RSVP ➡️ bit.ly/justtransitioncw
#JustTransition #IndigenousRights

News of Note 9/5/25: Peru Rejects Uncontacted Tribes Protection, Alaska Natives Fight to Manage Yukon River, Khasis Forest-based Livelihoods Strained — Tallgrass Institute Peru rejects long-stalled reserve proposal to protect Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation, Alaska Natives fight for right to manage Yukon River amidst salmon depletion, Khasis look for le...

Peru rejects reserve proposal to protect Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation, Alaska Natives fight for right to manage Yukon River amidst salmon depletion, Khasis look for leverage as agroforestry strained by erratic rainfall in Bangladesh, and more. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

IIPWG August 2025 Newsletter Oak Flat Emergency Injunction, 2025 AGM Report, Participant Engagement Updates and More

Emergency injunction of Oak Flat land transfer, report on Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the 2025 AGM season, participant engagement updates, and more. Plus action items, upcoming events, recently released resources, and news items of interest. mailchi.mp/tallgrassins... #IIPWG

News of Note 8/22/25: High Risk for Indigenous Peoples in Philippines, Oak Flat Transfer Halt, Adidas Cultural Appropriation Response — Tallgrass Institute New report finds Philippines the most dangerous Asian country for Indigenous Peoples, Apache Stronghold responds to US pushback from sacred land transfer halt, Adidas acknowledges and visits Oaxaca to...

Report finds Philippines most dangerous country in Asia for Indigenous Peoples, Apache Stronghold responds to US re sacred land transfer halt, Adidas visits Oaxaca town after being called out for appropriating Villa Hidalgo Yalalag culture, and more. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

News of Note 8/15/25: Thailand’s Landmark Indigenous Rights Law, BC Recognizes Cowichan Aboriginal Title, Alaska and Yukon MMIP Agreement — Tallgrass Institute Thailand passed first-ever bill to safeguard Indigenous Peoples' rights, British Columbia affirmed Cowicha Nation’s Aboriginal title and subsistence rights, Alaska and Yukon cross-border collaboration...

Thailand passed first-ever bill to safeguard Indigenous rights, BC affirmed Cowicha Nation’s Aboriginal title and subsistence rights, Alaska and Yukon cross-border agreement 'significant addresses Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis, and more. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

Kate Finn (Osage), Executive Director of Tallgrass Institute, on World Indigenous Peoples' Day 2025 This is "Kate Finn (Osage), Executive Director of Tallgrass Institute, on World Indigenous Peoples' Day 2025" by Cultural Survival on Vimeo, the home…

To commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the #SIRGE Coalition, Kate Finn (Osage), from the @tallgrassinst.bsky.social, reflects on AI and its impacts and opportunities for #IndigenousPeoples.

vimeo.com/1108517401?f...

News of Note 7/25/25: Indigenous Land Protection in Canada, Brazil Bill Weakens Indigenous Advocacy, Native Leaders Respond to Push for Racist Mascots — Tallgrass Institute Indigenous governments in Canada sign one of the world’s largest land protection agreements, fast-tracked bill in Brazil favored by mining and agribusiness sectors weakens climate governance and Indig...

Indigenous governments in Canada sign one of world’s largest land protection agreements, fast-tracked bill in Brazil weakens climate and Indigenous advocacy, Native leaders respond to US president’s push for return of DC NFL team's racist name, and more. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

IIPWG July 2025 Newsletter Certifications and Audits Presentation, COP30 Priorities, IIPWG Canada and More

Insights from Indigenous Peoples’ declaration on certifications and audits, COP30 priorities from Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin, #IIPWG Canada highlights, and more! Plus action items, upcoming events, recently released resources, and news items of interest. mailchi.mp/tallgrassins...

Native and Investor-led Advocacy to Change the Washington Football Team’s Name: A Timeline — Tallgrass Institute For over fifty years, combined action on the frontlines and on the corporate floor advocated for the retirement of the Washington, DC NFL team’s racist name and logo. The following timeline highlights...

For over fifty years, Native leaders advocated to change the Washington, DC NFL team's racist name and logo. In the early 2000s, investors came alongside in support, and in 2020 the name was officially retired. #NoRacistMascots www.tallgrassinstitute.org/articles/nat...

News of Note 7/18/25: Threat to Two Million Indigenous Peoples in Nigeria, Conservation Impacts on Bote Communities, Historic Native Title Win in Australia — Tallgrass Institute Rights group warns two million Indigenous Peoples in Nigeria at risk, Nepalese conservation efforts restrict Indigenous Bote communities’ ancestral fishing practice and resource access, Millewa-Mallee...

Rights group warns two million Indigenous Peoples in Nigeria are at risk, Nepalese conservation efforts restrict Indigenous Bote communities’ resource access, Millewa-Mallee First Nations peoples win historic Native title case in Australia, and more. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

Indigenous Mapuche Women Decry Targeted Persecution In Javier Milei's Argentina Argentina's feminist movement legacy is under dire threat, with Mapuche women claiming they are also facing racist policies from the government

Moira Millán is a weichafe—a guardian or warrior—in the Mapuche Nation. Alongside other Mapuche women, she denounces the compounded impacts of racism, misogyny, and criminalization they face—an ongoing reality that has worsened under Javier Milei.

www.latintimes.com/indigenous-m...

News of Note 7/11/25: Indigenous Win Against Mercury Pollution in Columbia, Ecuador Law Threatens Land Rights, Coal Impacts on Sacred Site in Australia — Tallgrass Institute Thirty Amazon Indigenous communities win case against gold mining mercury contamination in Columbia, new protected areas law in Ecuador threatens Indigenous land rights and violates domestic and inter...

30 Amazon Indigenous communities win case against gold mining contamination, new Ecuador protected areas law threatens land rights and violates protections, India-owned coal mine in Australia impacts sacred Wangan and Jagalingou land, and more. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

Native CDFIs are positioned to step up, even without promised federal funds Native CDFIs were on the brink of a golden age.  The community development financial institutions that are the main source of credit for ...

“There is a way to invest now to create alpha. And Indian Country is ready." Tallgrass founder Kate Finn talks to @impactalpha.com urging investors "to channel capital through CDFIs due to their strong community ties, flexible structures, and outsized impact." impactalpha.com/native-cdfis...

“As Tribes and companies grow in their focus on creating objective, measurable, enforceable agreements and on effective implementation, Tribal Benefit Agreements are better able to deliver on their promises.” From our new report: www.colorado.edu/program/tall...

Senate bill would 'devastate' tribal energy projects Tribes and Native-serving organizations warn Congress that Republican tax bill would devastate tribal clean energy transition, threatening billions in renewable projects across Indian Country.

"More than 100 tribes and Native-serving organizations are warning Congress that the Senate budget bill would severely damage tribal clean energy efforts across Indian Country." Via @tribalbiz.bsky.social

tribalbusinessnews.com/sections/ene...

News of Note 6/27/25: Displacement from Indonesia Food Project, Canada’s Controversial Development Bill Passes, Native CDFIs Defunding Threat — Tallgrass Institute UN raises concern for displacement of more than 50,000 Indigenous people by Indonesia food estate project, Canada passes bill to fast-track development projects despite FPIC concerns, US on track to c...

UN concern for displacement of 50K+ Indigenous people by Indonesia food project, Canada passes bill to fast-track development projects despite #FPIC concerns, US on track to cut 86% of funding for Native American #CDFI Assistance program, and more. www.tallgrassinstitute.org/news/news-of...

IIPWG June 2025 Newsletter NAFOA Presentation Takeaways, UNPFII Investor Brief, Human Rights Defenders in Ecuador and More

#IIPWG June Newsletter: Video and takeaways from an investor briefing on emerging priorities in #IndianCountry, a call for solidarity with human rights defenders in Ecuador, #UNPFII investor brief and more: mailchi.mp/tallgrassins...