7.4.1.1 Letter to Vendors Regarding Indigenous Community Procurement Integrity

Subject: Upholding Integrity in Indigenous Community Procurement Practices

Dear [Vendor/Supplier Name],

We are reaching out to you as a valued partner in our supply chain to emphasize our commitment to authentic and respectful engagement with Indigenous communities, in line with the Pehta Framework's Indigenous Community Benefit Disclosure Standard.

It has come to our attention that there are practices within the industry where Indigenous businesses are engaged merely as intermediaries in the supply chain, rather than as genuine partners. This approach, aimed at artificially inflating Indigenous participation metrics for procurement purposes, is not only unethical but also detrimental to the true intent of Indigenous community empowerment.

As an organization committed to the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), we strongly advocate for genuine, transparent, and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities. This commitment is not just a matter of compliance but is integral to our core values and business practices.

We urge you to align your practices with this ethos. Any engagement with Indigenous businesses should be grounded in respect, equity, and the intent of creating real economic value for Indigenous communities. We do not condone the use of Indigenous businesses merely as a means to fulfill procurement quotas or to enhance the perception of Indigenous involvement.

Please be aware that non-adherence to these principles will be viewed as a breach of our business ethics and may impact our future business relations. We trust you understand the importance of this matter and will join us in upholding the highest standards of integrity in our engagements with Indigenous communities.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial aspect of our partnership.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Position] [Your Company]