Northern Village Code of Ethics

The heart of the Northern Village Code of Ethics is that, as a B Corp, we are in business as a force for good.

This Code serves as a guide for what is expected from directors, employees and contractors with respect to proper business contact and to observe the highest standards of ethics and integrity in our conduct. This means following a basic code of ethical behaviour that includes the following:

The Basis of Our Ethics

Declaration of Interdependence

We envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good.

This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation - the B Corporation -
which is purpose-driven and creates benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe:

That we must be the change we seek in the world.
That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.
That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all, and
To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.

Source: https://bcorporation.net/about-b-corps

Our Land Acknowledgement

The Northern Village team lives and works within the unceded territory of the “Dish With One Spoon” Covenant. The “Dish With One Spoon” Covenant is a treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississauga and Haudenosaunee that binds them to share the territory and protect the land. It invites all peoples to live by its terms. Northern Village acknowledges the present and long-standing significance of this covenant and strives to abide by the principles of respect, reciprocity, and relationship that it represents.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We value Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We recognize that myriad forms of injustice, inequity, homogeneity, and exclusion characterize the social and environmental spheres in which we live and work.

We are committed, at all levels of the organization, to ongoing learning about racism and its harm. This will help us see more clearly the deliberate policies and actions we must take in dismantling any systemic and structural racism embedded in the company. We are committed to consistently improving and developing the cultural competency of every employee.

We strive to counter these conditions by demonstrating a high degree of respect for the land, resources, and life forms with which we relate. We do that by letting the following commitments guide our decision making and daily conduct:

Northern Village anti-racist policies will emerge from a deep understanding of allyship and a desire to end racism in all its forms.
We acknowledge that there is more than one way to do or understand anything. We strive to remain receptive to the diverse knowledges, approaches, and perspectives that others offer us in collaboration. We regard our differences as opportunities for learning, agility, and innovation.
We practice kind, professional, and receptive communication, by listening and speaking in ways that demonstrate reverence for all.
We strive to enfranchise the disenfranchised when deciding who we work with and invest in, be they team members, clients, or suppliers.
Our marketing is focused on nurturing relationships, promoting our clients, and advancing their causes. As such, we will not use our marketing platforms to make unsubstantiated claims or disparage others. We will also ensure we have the clear and complete consent of others before mentioning them in our marketing material.

Our Digital Values

Northern Village believes that it's our responsibility to be aware of the impact that technology has on our health, environment, and society at large and use technology in a way that doesn't harm others. We are deeply committed to using digital products, services, and practices responsibly.

Digital Responsibility

We aim to enable people to have control over their tools and information. We aim to help them connect with the wider world. Therefore, we dedicate our knowledge, skills, and expertise to furthering the efforts of social and environmental movements and their proxies.

We will seek ways of informing, guiding, and evaluating our work with input from project beneficiaries, especially those most marginalized within the digital economy.

We are committed to an internet that includes all the peoples of the earth — where a person’s demographic or physical characteristics do not determine their online access, opportunities, or quality of experience.
We are committed to an internet that promotes civil discourse, human dignity, and individual expression.
We are committed to an internet that elevates critical thinking, reasoned argument, shared knowledge, and verifiable facts.
We are committed to an internet that catalyzes collaboration among diverse communities working together for the common good.

In part from Mozilla Pledge for a Healthy Internet.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The protection of information and confidentiality is extremely important to Northern Village, regardless of whether it is personal or corporate. Personnel are expected, and should expect, that personally identifiable information be treated with respect and protected from collection or disclosure without consent and Northern Village complies with applicable legislation governing the protection of personal information. Moreover, we are required to preserve and protect the confidentiality of corporate initiatives and intellectual property as well as business and operational plans. Our team will exercise care when discussing what may be considered confidential or private information with other team members, stakeholders, or outside parties.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the values of Northern Village. We strive ensure a positive impact on the planet in everything that we do. These include:

Using green energy (which we define as energy that is carbon neutral and generated from renewable and sustainable sources) whenever possible and offset any energy that is not green.
Having corporate purchases and encouraging employees, virtual workers and contractors to buy products that are local and sustainable as much as possible
Aim for zero waste, and reuse and recycle when not possible
Support organizations with goals to improve the environment through reduced rates and/or donations

See our full Environmental Policy.

Corporate Responsibility

Interacting with Others

Northern Village expects and requires its team members to:

behave honestly and ethically;
act with integrity;
when acting on behalf of Northern Village, afford those with whom you come into contact with respect and courtesy;
maintain confidentiality, where required, to ensure the protection of corporate, personal and third-party information;
take responsible steps to avoid any conflicts of interest, either real or perceived;
behave in ways which uphold and reflect Northern Village values;
never use one's power or status in an effort to gain undue benefit or advantage over others;
choose suppliers who have policies in line with the Code of Ethics wherever possible.
treat communities and the environment in which we operate with respect; and
always comply with the law and relevant rules and regulations.

Corporate Recordkeeping

We create, retain and dispose of our company records as part of our normal course of business in compliance with all Northern Village policies and guidelines, as well as all regulatory and legal requirements.

All corporate records must be true, accurate and complete, and company data must be promptly and accurately entered in our books in accordance with Northern Village’s and other applicable accounting principles.

We must not improperly influence, manipulate or mislead any unauthorized audit, nor interfere with any auditor engaged to perform an internal independent audit of Northern Village books, records, processes or internal controls.

Promote Substance Over Form

At times, we are all faced with decisions we would rather not have to make and issues we would prefer to avoid. Sometimes, we hope that if we avoid confronting a problem, it will simply go away.

At Northern Village, we must have the courage to tackle the tough decisions and make difficult choices, secure in the knowledge that we are committed to doing the right thing. At times this will mean doing more than simply what the law requires. Merely because we can pursue a course of action does not mean we should do so.

Although Northern Village’s guiding principles cannot address every issue or provide answers to every dilemma, they can define the spirit in which we intend to do business and should guide us in our daily conduct.

Making a Difference for our Stakeholders

As a B Corp, we take our role in building a more regenerative, equitable, and inclusive economy very seriously. If you have any questions about how we balance purpose and profit or if you would like to explore doing the same at your organization, please feel free to contact us. We would love to chat with you.