Ethical Concerns About High Speaking Fees Charged to Impoverished Communities

ACTION STAFF

Subject: Ethical Concerns Regarding Speaking Fees Charged to Grassroots and Impoverished Communities

We wish to raise an important ethical concern regarding the practice of charging high speaking fees — reportedly $10,000 or more — to First Nations communities by individuals who hold public advocacy roles connected to water protection and Indigenous rights. While we respect and acknowledge the accomplishments, influence, and advocacy work of high-profile Indigenous speakers, it is critical to recognize how these financial expectations are experienced at the community level.

Many First Nations continue to face chronic underfunding, poverty, water insecurity, and limited access to basic services. When grassroots communities, youth groups, or low-income Nations cannot afford to host a speaker who is advocating on their behalf, it creates a troubling barrier and raises questions about accessibility, equity, and the ethical responsibilities attached to leadership roles.

There is a growing concern that charging significant speaking fees to the very communities facing these hardships may contradict the spirit of community-centered leadership. When the work is grounded in defending clean water, Indigenous sovereignty, and the well-being of our people, we must ensure that advocacy is not financially inaccessible to those who need it most.

We believe it is reasonable for speakers to receive compensation from universities, corporations, governments, and institutions with ample budgets. However, many in our community feel that impoverished Nations should not be placed in a position where they must divert scarce resources away from critical needs in order to access the voices speaking on their behalf.

For these reasons, we respectfully request a discussion on the development of ethical guidelines or a sliding-scale approach for speaking fees, ensuring that grassroots and low-income First Nations can participate in important conversations without financial hardship. This will help maintain accountability, transparency, and integrity in roles connected to public advocacy.

Our goal is not to diminish anyone’s accomplishments, but to ensure that our communities — especially those most impacted by water insecurity and poverty — remain included, supported, and respected in all aspects of Indigenous advocacy.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We seek a constructive path forward rooted in community care, ethical responsibility, and shared commitment to protecting our waters and our people.

#LANDBACK #INDIGENOUSRESISTANCE #WATERISLIFE #REPEALBILL5 #ANISHINABEKNATION #WATERWARRIORS