Smart and timely analysis on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics, by Future of Good subject matter experts.
Colonial business financing methods do not often align with Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Doing Business. Instead of relying on loans that can lead to bankruptcy or venture capital funding that can lead to short-term, investor-centric goals, a Shared Earnings Agreement can ensure financial stability for founders.
In response to pressure from shareholders, most major banks in Canada enlisted third-party racial equity auditors. These evaluate a company’s internal culture and employee experience, and its external-facing products and services. In Canada, companies need to adhere to specific standards when carrying out such audits, including respecting Indigenous culture and data sovereignty, and compensating participants appropriately for their time.
Rebuilding Indigenous legal systems strengthens community self-determination and governance, creating more just and responsive structures and aligns with the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Organizers say the program models collaboration rooted in respect and sovereignty—principles that can guide partnerships and systemic change.
Indigenous data governance and sovereignty frameworks emphasize that Indigenous peoples should have the authority to own, control and access their own data. By design, many software platforms and digital tools do not respect those rights.
Despite 25 years of global commitments, women remain sidelined in peace negotiations—undermining the very strategies proven to prevent renewed conflict. With UN leadership and grassroots women’s involvement, peace agreements are significantly more likely to endure, but funding shortfalls threaten this progress.
Several researchers raised concerns about academia and funders’ slow shift to the right, emulating what is happening in the United States. Many also highlighted that they filled the EDI questions in funding applications on the condition that sensitive personal information will remain confidential, or if aggregated, will remain anonymous.
