The world of philanthropy suffers from the same colonial structures and deep, systemic issues that affect the rest of the world around us. To truly effect change, we need to heal philanthropy from within.
Over the last two years, impact investing in Canada has grown by a massive 81 percent, with $14.75 billion now invested in purpose-driven solutions. But according to Jeff Cyr, of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, there's one big problem with traditional impact investing: its lack of Indigenous inclusion. We caught up with him to learn how we can decolonize social finance.
Canadian Indigenous people are systemically excluded from the economy, often lacking resources needed to generate opportunity and wealth. With reconciliation on the forefront of everyone’s minds, now is the perfect time to reimagine inclusion in the Canadian economy.
Clean air, energy democracy, and renewable sources are all vital to sustainable development and reconciliation in Canada. The key is understanding local context, while putting power—literally and figuratively—in local hands. It’s a system change that allows for environmental, social, and economic good.