The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Chiefs Unanimously Endorse Pehta

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE

PEHTA FRAMEWORK RECEIVES UNANIMOUS ENDORSEMENT BY THE CONFEDERACY OF TREATY SIX FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS

March 5, 2024 (amiskwaciy-wâskahikan/Edmonton, Treaty 6/Alberta)

The Pehta Foundation proudly announces a significant milestone: the unanimous endorsement of the Pehta Framework by the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Chiefs. This endorsement is a testament to the collective commitment of First Nation communities and leaders toward a unified, credible, and comparable standard for reporting Indigenous impact metrics across industries.

The Pehta Framework, designed by Indigenous communities, aims to guide industries and governments in transparently and consistently reporting their Indigenous community benefits and opportunities. It is a pioneering initiative that places Indigenous community perspectives at the forefront of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, aligning with community values and the expectations of the institutional investment market.

For Industry and Government:

The Pehta Foundation urges industries and government bodies to align their Indigenous impact reporting with the Pehta Framework. This ensures the credibility of reported metrics and fosters genuine engagement with Indigenous communities. It is not just a guideline but a cornerstone for building trust and supporting the well-being and prosperity of Indigenous peoples.

For Communities:

We invite Indigenous communities beyond the Confederacy of Treaty Six territories to adopt, support, and join the Pehta Foundation. This collective action is vital for amplifying Indigenous voices, asserting inherent rights, and highlighting the strength and resilience of Indigenous communities.

A Quote from Grand Chief Cody Thomas of The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations:

"In our unanimous endorsement of the Pehta Framework, we offer Pehta as a guide and a beacon for the future. This step towards genuine reconciliation and sustainable partnership underscores the 'I' in ESG as foundational, shaping an equitable future for all Indigenous communities. We call on industry leaders, local, provincial, and federal officials, and global framework architects to listen, learn, and act, incorporating the Pehta Framework in their discussions, processes, and practices and recognizing our authority on matters of our lands and our futures."

Invitation to Engage:

We invite industry professionals, government officials, and stakeholders to engage with the Pehta Framework. Visit www.pehta.org to access the Exposure Draft and contribute your insights. Your feedback will inform the evolution of the Framework, ensuring it meets the needs and expectations of Indigenous communities and their allies.

Contact Information:

For further details on the Pehta Framework and engagement opportunities, please get in touch with Aaron Lambie at aaron@pehta.org.

Let's join hands in ushering in a new era of transparency, credibility, and genuine collaboration to benefit Indigenous communities and the lands we steward.

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Download the press release HERE

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Backgrounder: Pehta Foundation, the Pehta Framework, and Its Unanimous Endorsement by the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Chiefs

March 5, 2024

The Pehta Foundation is guided by a simple yet profound principle: any Indigenous metric must first be meaningful to and resonate with Indigenous communities before being credible to anyone else.

The Pehta Foundation: Guardianship and Mission

Purpose: The Pehta Foundation operates as the steward and guardian of the Pehta Framework, aiming to oversee its implementation and adherence across various sectors. It is focused on ensuring that the principles and standards of the Pehta Framework are applied with integrity, promoting transparency and accountability in industry and government engagements with Indigenous communities. The Foundation's core purpose is to amplify Indigenous voices and ensure their central role in shaping and defining the metrics of success and engagement on their lands.

Origination: The Pehta Foundation, founded by First Nation communities, directly responds to the need for an authoritative body to oversee the Pehta Framework. Recognizing the critical importance of Indigenous leadership in measuring and reporting impact metrics, the Foundation ensures that the framework remains true to its original intent and continues to reflect the priorities and values of Indigenous communities.

Goals:

• Leadership and Oversight: To lead the ongoing development and refinement of the Pehta Framework, ensuring it remains a living document that evolves in alignment with Indigenous priorities and economic development goals.

• Advocacy and Adoption: To advocate for the widespread adoption of the Pehta Framework by industries and governments, demonstrating its value as a tool for meaningful reconciliation and sustainable development.

• Capacity Building: To build the capacity of Indigenous communities to engage with and benefit from the framework, empowering them to articulate and advocate for their interests and rights effectively.

• Partnerships and Collaboration: To foster strong partnerships and collaborative relationships with stakeholders across sectors, facilitating dialogue, understanding, and action that benefits Indigenous communities.

• Transparency and Accountability: To promote transparency and accountability in reporting and assessing industry and government activities on Indigenous lands, ensuring that commitments align with the direction of the Pehta Framework.

Through its dedicated mission and strategic goals, the Pehta Foundation seeks to ensure that the Pehta Framework not only sets the standard for Indigenous community benefit disclosure but also acts as a catalyst for real and meaningful change in the relationship between Indigenous communities, industries, and governments.

The Pehta Framework: Overview and Objectives

Purpose: The Pehta Framework is the Indigenous Community Benefit Disclosure Standard designed to ensure that industry and government activities on Indigenous lands are transparently, comparably, and consistently reported, emphasizing the benefits and opportunities for Indigenous communities.  The framework ensures that the traditional metrics that historically have been used to define reconciliation success are aligned and structured and prioritizes our community voices in decision-making halls.  

Origination: Pehta is developed by First Nation communities to address the need for a unified, credible, structured, and comparable standard for Indigenous impact metrics across industries.

Goals:

• To place Indigenous community perspectives at the forefront of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.

• To foster genuine engagement and trust between Indigenous communities, industries, and government bodies.

• To support the well-being and prosperity of Indigenous peoples and their lands through credible reporting and accountability.

Endorsement by the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Chiefs

Date of Endorsement: January 30, 2024

Location: Edmonton

Significance: The unanimous endorsement by the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Chiefs represents a significant milestone in the collective effort of Indigenous communities to establish a standardized approach to measuring and reporting on the impacts of industry and government activities on Indigenous lands.  Pehta is not merely an adaptation of an international framework to local conditions; instead, it is a grassroots movement that mirrors the specific outcomes sought by the Indigenous community signatories as the framework's foundation.

Implications:

• Validates the Pehta Framework as the leading standard for Indigenous community benefit disclosure.

• Highlights the collective commitment of Indigenous leaders toward genuine reconciliation and sustainable partnership.

For Industry and Government

Call to Action: The Pehta Foundation urges industries and government bodies firstly to participate in the Exposure Draft process at www.pehta.org and secondly, to align their Indigenous sustainability reporting with the Pehta Framework, emphasizing its role not just as a guideline but as a cornerstone for building trust and supporting Indigenous communities.

Benefits:

• Ensures the credibility and comparability of reported metrics.

• Fosters genuine engagement with Indigenous communities.

For Communities

Invitation: We invite Indigenous communities beyond the Treaty Six territories to adopt, support, and join the Pehta Foundation, amplifying their voices and asserting their inherent rights.

Vision: A unified approach across all sovereign Nations across Turtle Island, strengthening the representation and resilience of Indigenous communities.

Quote from Grand Chief Cody Thomas

"In our unanimous endorsement of the Pehta Framework, we offer Pehta as a guide and a beacon for the future. This step towards genuine reconciliation and sustainable partnership underscores the 'I' in ESG as foundational, shaping an equitable future for all Indigenous communities. We call on industry leaders, local, provincial, and federal officials, and global framework architects to listen, learn, and act, incorporating the Pehta Framework in their discussions, processes, and practices and recognizing our authority on matters of our lands and futures."

Invitation to Engage

Website: www.pehta.org

We invite industry professionals, government officials, and stakeholders to engage with the Pehta Framework by accessing the Exposure Draft and contributing insights.

Contact Information

Contact Person: Aaron Lambie

Email: aaron@pehta.org

Conclusion

The Pehta Foundation and the unanimous endorsement of the Pehta Framework by the Treaty Six First Nations Chiefs mark a pivotal step toward transparency, credibility, and genuine collaboration to benefit Indigenous communities and the lands they steward. This backgrounder invites all stakeholders to join hands in ushering in a new era of impactful engagement and sustainable partnership.

Download Press Release Backgrounder Here.