Indigenous Wisdom: Organizations

By Ariana Tano, part of the January 20, 2025 project to highlight the vital connection between indigenous peoples and environmental solutions, showcasing various initiatives, organizations, and leaders advocating for sustainable practices rooted in traditional knowledge.

For centuries, indigenous communities have faced unwavering resistance to their very existence. 


 

Colonization not only stole their land but also suppressed their culture, silenced their voices, and erased their histories. Yet amidst this legacy of oppression, indigenous peoples continue to resist, recover, and thrive – a testament to their unbreakable spirit. In recent years, a growing movement has emerged calling for decolonization – a recognition that true justice can only be achieved by dismantling systems of power that perpetuate inequality. This movement is led by indigenous voices demanding control over their own destinies. At the forefront of this fight are organizations dedicated to amplifying these voices and protecting the rights of marginalized communities worldwide. From grassroots movements in remote villages to international advocacy groups in urban centers.

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Several well-established organizations work to connect indigenous communities and promote their rights. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

## International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)

Founded in 1968, IWGIA is one of the largest global human rights organizations dedicated to promoting and defending indigenous peoples' rights[1][3]. It works through a global network of partners, including indigenous peoples' organizations, NGOs, and academic institutions. IWGIA focuses on:

- Protecting collective and individual rights of indigenous peoples
- Promoting the right to self-determination
- Coordinating advocacy efforts at national, regional, and international levels

## Cultural Survival

Established with headquarters in Massachusetts, Cultural Survival has offices in several countries and bases its work on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples[1]. The organization:

- Engages in advocacy and public education
- Provides platforms for indigenous peoples to claim their lands, cultures, and right to self-determination

## International Network of Mountain Indigenous Peoples (INMIP)

INMIP brings together mountain communities from 11 countries, focusing on revitalizing biocultural heritage for climate-resilient and sustainable food systems[4]. Key aspects of INMIP include:

- Coordinated by the Peruvian indigenous NGO ANDES
- Uses a 'horizontal learning' approach to promote knowledge exchange
- Organizes annual learning exchanges and walking workshops

## Survival International

Founded in 1969, Survival International is exclusively concerned with tribal peoples' rights[1]. The organization:

- Lobbies those in power to protect tribal peoples' human rights
- Works to prevent the annihilation of tribal peoples
- Provides a platform for tribal peoples to speak to the world

## Center for World Indigenous Studies (CWIS)

Established in 1979, CWIS is an independent NGO representing a global community of indigenous studies scholars and activists[1]. The organization:

- Advances the rights of indigenous peoples by applying traditional knowledge
- Drafts laws and regulations related to indigenous rights
- Educates students on indigenous peoples' rights

These organizations have established themselves as key players in connecting indigenous communities worldwide and advocating for their rights and cultural preservation[1][3][4].

Citations:
[1] https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/indigenous-human-rights-organizations/
[2] https://www.ethnobiology.net/what-we-do/core-programs/global-coalition-2/mci/
[3] https://www.iwgia.org/en/about.html
[4] https://www.iied.org/international-network-mountain-indigenous-peoples-inmip
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indigenous_rights_organizations
[6] https://mountainresearchinitiative.org/news/the-huaran-declaration-indigenous-peoples-are-the-real-solutions-to-the-climate-and-biodiversity-crises/
[7] https://iwgia.org/en/
[8] https://www.fao.org/mountain-partnership/

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Ariana Tano is a writer and storyteller with a passion for exploring the human experience. Born and raised in Queens, New York, she draws inspiration from the diverse voices and stories that surround her. With a heart rooted in empathy and curiosity, Ariana weaves narratives that celebrate resilience, hope, and the beauty of everyday moments. When not writing or people-watching at her favorite café, you can find her scribbling notes in worn journals or daydreaming about far-off lands.

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