The International Covenant on the Rights of Indigenous Nations (ICRIN)

What we do
Accomplishments

For over 40 years, CWIS has been the leading indigenous peoples’ think tank ensuring that communities can safeguard their rights and resources.

Education

Activate your potential with online courses on Indigenous Studies and Traditional Medicine.

Research & Public Policy

The leading think-tank defining and implementing indigenous-centric policy and strategic implementation in climate change, governance, conflict resolution and health care.

Preserving Indigenous People’s Knowledge

Transforming access: leading digital innovation to protect and amplify 50+ years ofIndigenous knowledge on self-determination for a lasting global impact.

Chief George Manuel Library

The library was founded as a documents repository in 1979 in response to a resolution of the Conference of Tribal Governments.

Nations International Criminal Tribunal

The Nations International Criminal Tribunal (NICT) is a groundbreaking effort to address the unique challenges faced by indigenous nations around the world seeking justice.
Who we are
Our Team

Our mission: Activist scholars advancing the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide

Our Story

Consult with us

Providing technical support to indigenous nations including international legal advice, policy analysis and conflict resolution and self governance.
Publications
Fourth World Journal

The Fourth World Journal (FWJ) is an open-access, peer-reviewed international journal published by the Center for World Indigenous Studies, USA.

April 28, 2025

Doublethink, Geopolitics, and Hegemony The West’s Interest in Ukraine, Russia, and Russia’s Indigenous Peoples – Part 5

FW Geo-Politics

Read more

View our blogs

Bookstore

Discover titles by CWIS authors.
Traditional Medicine
About CTM

Since 1977, the Center for Traditional Medicine has advanced clinical practice, research, and policy through a feminist, social justice, and Indigenous-centered lens.

Treating Diabetes

Engage in ancient and modern indigenous medicinal methods to prevent and treat diabetes.

Massage Project

This project strengthens the outreach and trains additional therapists to deliver more massage therapy for diabetes to underserved people in urban and rural indigenous areas.
Act
Donate

For over 40 years, CWIS has been the leading indigenous peoples’ activist think tank, ensuring that communities can safeguard their rights and resources.

Your donation may be earmarked for any of our ongoing projects or can be identified to support general operating costs.

Volunteer

Discover ways to share your skills and expertise to further our mission.

Internships

Join a select group of activist scholars who participate in 3-12 month internships for academic credit.
Video
Searching for Capomo

Discover this extraordinary tree, known as Capomo, or the Breadnut, and all of its gifts. The seed is traditionally eaten as a food and roasted into cafe de capomo. Endemic...

Cradling the Heart

This project strengthens the outreach and trains additional therapists to deliver more massage therapy for diabetes to underserved people in urban and rural indigenous areas.

Salal, Cedar and Spruce: A Journey with Salish Plant and Medicine Traditions

Salal berries for digestive relief, Cedar tea to reduce fevers, and Spruce tips for nourishment and congestive relief… Traditional Salish foods and medicines are experiencing a revival in the Pacific...

Pathfinder: The Untold Story of “The Indian Business”

Pathfinder: The Untold Story of the “Indian Business” is a feature-length documentary currently in production about the “Fourth World’s” struggle for self-determination and overcoming bigotry and internalized traumas, told through...

BreakPoint: The Untold Story of the Constitution Express

Break Point: The Untold Story of the Constitution Express reveals one of the most significant yet little-known Indigenous rights movements in modern history. In 1980, as the Trudeau government prepared...

Donate

Posts of: Robert Hansell

Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK)

Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK)

April 28, 2025

Indigenous knowledge holders and community members have actively resisted global biopiracy through international diplomacy. After over 20 years of strategic, resilient, and effective political engagement, Indigenous peoples have achieved a monumental first step toward protecting their IP from biopiracy and bioprospecting: the GRATK (Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge) treaty, adopted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in May of 2024.

“Sin maíz, no hay país”: How Free Trade Hurts Indigenous Food Sovereignty in Mexico

“Sin maíz, no hay país”: How Free Trade Hurts Indigenous Food Sovereignty in Mexico

February 13, 2025

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) laud free trade as a doctrine of economic growth, prosperity, and development. Free trade agreements (FTAs), agreements between two…

Chief George Manuel Memorial Indigenous Library

The library is dedicated to the memory of Secwepemc Chief George Manuel (1921-1989), to the nations of the Fourth World and to the elders and generations to come.