Traditional Archives - Center for World Indigenous Studies

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

What we do
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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
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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 25, Number 1
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June 2, 2025
Nations International Criminal Tribunal Charter
Fourth World Journal
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Bookstore

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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.
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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...

Medicines of the Land: Sami reflections on the role and use of indigenous medicine today

Medicines of the Land: Sami reflections on the role and use of indigenous medicine today

July 23, 2020

The Sámi are recognized as an Indigenous people in Finland. Ethnobotany is very important to them, with one particular species of plant, boska (angelica) which is used in gastronomy and also as medicine.

Buffalo Are the Backbone of Lakota Food Sovereignty

Buffalo Are the Backbone of Lakota Food Sovereignty

July 21, 2020

What is the link between the wellbeing and autonomy of indigenous peoples and animal poaching, along with the introduction of sugar, refined and canned foods, salts and preservatives? Read about the history of the buffalo nation and what they did about it.

How One Indigenous Nation is reclaiming Their Food System - One Breakfast at a Time

How One Indigenous Nation is reclaiming Their Food System – One Breakfast at a Time

July 16, 2020

The wampis community is conserving the lakes in their lands, and rejecting introduced foods to rescue their traditional heritage by returning to natural food such as wild fish, free range chicken, fruits and vegetables.

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.