Fundraising and Partnerships Protocol

Acknowledgments: Haawa to Indigenous Climate Action, Qqs Project Society and the Right Relations Collaborative for helping to inform this protocol. 

Guiding Values: Respect, ask first, make it right, everything depends on everything else

Purpose: The purpose of this protocol is to outline guidelines and ethics Swiilawiid will follow to ensure our fundraising and partnerships are consistent with the Haida Nation and Haida Gwaii’s stewardship responsibilities. Swiilawiid prioritizes partnerships in alignment with our values. Some partnerships may need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, and the board of directors will review and provide guidance as needed.

We know that all financial wealth was built on the exploitation of the Earth, Indigenous peoples and people of colour. We use the following funding criteria to guide our fundraising and donor relations. This is critical for the practice of reparations, building collective power, and addressing systemic barriers as a result of colonization.  

Swiilawiid does not partner with organizations that actively harm the earth, oppress or exploit peoples and cultures, and do not uphold Indigenous Rights and Title. 

Swiilawiid values partnerships with people, organizations, and funders who share our principles and mission. We seek partnerships with organizations that: 

• recognize Indigenous Rights and Title and uphold UNDRIP

• are committed to regenerative energy and economies 

• have full trust in Swiilawiid’s work and approach

• align with Swiilawiid’s vision, goals, and values

• align with any official position of the Haida Nation

• support the leadership of people who are structurally oppressed including women, youth, LGBTQ2S people, people with disabilities, and other racialized people

• are independent from political parties or interests  

Decisions on partnerships and new funders will be informed by an ethics screen and reviewed by the Policy + Partnerships Committee.