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.
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.
Who we are
Who we are

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
Volume 24, Number 1
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June 3, 2024
Asserting Native Resilience: Insights from Rudolph Rÿser on the Climate Crisis
Environment
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View our blogs
Bookstore

Discover titles by CWIS authors.
Traditional Medicine
About CTM

Traditional medicine is the “mother” of all medicine. More than 80% of the world’s population uses a form of traditional medicine to treat primary health.
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...
Medical Massage for Diabetes

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...

In Memoriam: Dr. Rudolph C. Rÿser, Founding Chair, CWIS

Latest news

Aberri Eguna / Basque National Day - Institutional Declaration

Global Exchange

Aberri Eguna / Basque National Day – Institutional Declaration

April 12, 2006

Global Summit on HIV/AIDS, Traditional medicine and Indigenous Knowledge

Global Exchange

Global Summit on HIV/AIDS, Traditional medicine and Indigenous Knowledge

March 14, 2006

Global Summit Declaration pdf Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Ghana pdf

Cultural and agricultural dynamics of agrobiodiversity conservation

Global Exchange

Cultural and agricultural dynamics of agrobiodiversity conservation

February 10, 2006

Ranjay Singh, Associate Scholar

The Power of Moral Sanction

Global Exchange

The Power of Moral Sanction

February 10, 2006

Jay Taber, Associate Scholar

Indigenous demonstrators protest coal mining Humberto M

Global Exchange

Indigenous demonstrators protest coal mining Humberto M

January 27, 2006

At OAS, Negotiations Resume On Hemispheric Declaration On Indigenous Rights

Global Exchange

At OAS, Negotiations Resume On Hemispheric Declaration On Indigenous Rights

January 25, 2006

The member countries of the Organization of American States (OAS) today resumed negotiations in Washington on the draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, focusing at this five-day…

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.