A flipped power dynamic: Philanthropists must apply to a council of aunties to fund these Indigenous groups

Funders and grantmakers often wield considerable power over their fundees, determining what gets funded, when and how. The Right Relations Collaborative flips this power dynamic by putting Indigenous aunties in the driver’s seat. The model is firmly rooted in a local territory, but offers a new approach to grantmaking that could inspire a shift in funding relationships across the country.

In-depth Q&A: Cindy Blackstock on reparations, reconciliation, and why Canada’s philanthropic community shies away from her cause

The social purpose sector in Canada often says it prioritizes reconciliation and justice for Indigenous communities. Cindy Blackstock says that commitment requires political advocacy for the rights of First Nations families.

Dozens of Canadian social impact leaders joined a working group focused on rooting out systemic racism. What progress has been made?

Black and Indigenous people are underrepresented in Canada’s social purpose sector – and correcting that imbalance will require leaders to centre justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

This organization will fund activists of colour to do nothing but rest for four months

Research shows burnout and mental illness rates are high among activists, particularly those with lived experience with the oppression they’re working to fight. Rest is essential for sustaining social movements long-term.

“Inequality kills”: New Oxfam International report shows how inequality is caused by economic violence and wealth hoarding

Understanding the link between wealth, inequality, and public policy is crucial to devising new solutions that will allow the world to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disaggregated data can reveal systemic inequities. It can also reinforce them — here’s how.

Community trust in social impact organizations who do disaggregated data collection can be shattered if it is done badly, especially with subjects who are already overpoliced and surveilled.

‘My colleagues have been blocked’: COP26 is shutting civil society out of climate talks

Indigenous resistance to fossil fuel projects may have cut Canadian and U.S. emissions by 25 to 50 percent, according to a recent study. Civil society also plays a role in climate adaptation and mitigation. Yet, at COP26, Indigenous and civil society leaders are being ignored.

Indigenous lawyer Danika Littlechild doesn’t believe the SDGs are compatible with reconciliation. Here’s why.

Successfully achieving the SDGs may be at odds with the spirit of nation-to-nation reconciliation and Indigenous self-empowerment. And without the consent of Indigenous peoples, the federal government would have a difficult time implementing a robust and credible sustainability agenda of any sort.