United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Archives - Center for World Indigenous Studies

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 Story
- Consult with us
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
The Slow Genocide of Indigenous Nations and Peoples
Fourth World Journal
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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...
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...

Politics? Self-Government

September 17, 2014

CWIS drafted the Joint Statement of Constitutional and Customary Indigenous Governments that received the endorsement of eleven Fourth World governments in Africa, South and North America and Southeast Asia. The…

FW Political Identity & Equality

August 31, 2014

In two articles I wrote for Indian Country Today (read HERE and HERE) I argue for the formal recognition of new political identities for the world’s indigenous nations–a political status…

States & Nations meet. The UN on the WCIP

June 9, 2014

Indigenous nations such as the Onondaga, Mohawk, Seneca and Oneida have expressed deep concerns about the way the United Nations member states will carry out the High Level Plenary Meeting…

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.