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
Stewardship and the Preservation of Life in the Tohono O’odham Haki:dag
Artby - Amy Eisenberg
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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...

Who we are

We are a global community of activist scholars advancing the rights of indigenous peoples through the application of traditional knowledge.

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

Board of Directors and Core Staff Founding Advisory Board

Board of Directors

Rudolph C. Rÿser , PhD.

Chair of the Board, Emeritus
(Cree, Oneida [USA])

Leslie E. Korn , PhD, MPH, LMHC

Interim Board Chair, Director of Research and Education, Director Center for Traditional Medicine

Amy Desjarlais , B.A., MA

Secretary of the Board
(Anishinabe [Canada])

Skᵂumqnálqs (Amelia Marchand) , MSL

Treasurer
(Okanogan, Moses-Columbia, Palus, Chief Joseph Band of Wallowa Nez Perce, and Sinixt [USA])

Kū Kahakalau , PhD.

(Hawaiian – [US-occupied territory])

Martha Schmidt , LL.M.

Educator on Human Rights and the Rights of Ecosystems

Henry Cagey

(Lummi Nation [USA])

Gillian Joseph

(Ihaŋktoŋwaŋ Dakota)

Kʷilsolcís (Joaquin J. Marchand) , MPA

Director
(Sinixt [USA] Blackfeet and Iroquois)

Core Staff

Rudolph C. Rÿser , PhD.

Chair of the Board, Emeritus

Leslie E. Korn , PhD, MPH, LMHC

Interim Board Chair, Director of Research and Education, Director Center for Traditional Medicine

Dina Gilio-Whitaker , MA

Policy Director, Senior Researcher

Angel Estrada

Operations & Web Strategy Director

Michel Medellin

Graphic Designer

Max Montalbán

Multimedia Editor

Juan Gradilla

Web Developer

Janneth Castellanos

Information Management Specialist

Claudia García

Project Manager

Consult with us

We have a team of expert researchers, analysts, facilitators and trainers to respond to requests from tribal governments.