TakingITGlobal: Ispirare, Informare, Coinvolgere

The IITC was founded in 1974 at a gathering by the American Indian Movement in Standing Rock, South Dakota attended by more than 5000 representatives of 98 Indigenous Nations.

The symbol of the sacred pipe uniting the hemisphere was chosen for the IITC by the elders to represent...
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The IITC was founded in 1974 at a gathering by the American Indian Movement in Standing Rock, South Dakota attended by more than 5000 representatives of 98 Indigenous Nations.

The symbol of the sacred pipe uniting the hemisphere was chosen for the IITC by the elders to represent the common bonds of spirituality, ties to the land and respect for traditional cultures common to all Indigenous Peoples.

The IITC supports grassroots Indigenous struggles through information dissemination, networking, coalition building, technical assistance, organizing and facilitating the effective participation of traditional Peoples in local, regional, national and international forums, events and gatherings.


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In 1977, the IITC became the first organization of Indigenous Peoples to be reorganized as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The IITC focuses on building Indigenous Peoples’ participation in key U.N. fora such as...
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In 1977, the IITC became the first organization of Indigenous Peoples to be reorganized as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The IITC focuses on building Indigenous Peoples’ participation in key U.N. fora such as the Commission on Human Rights, the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNESCO and the Commission on Sustainable Development. In recent years, IITC has also participated in the International Labor Organization (ILO), U.N. World Conferences, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Archeological Congress to systematically address concerns vital to Indigenous Peoples.

The IITC submits testimony, documentation and formal complaints to these fora as well as to the U.N. Center for Human Rights and the Organization of American States (OAS), to redress grievances, increase awareness and impact the development of international standards protecting the rights and survival of Indigenous Peoples.

The IITC also focuses on dissemination of information regarding the U.N. and opportunities for involvement to grassroots Indigenous communities, and works to educate and build awareness about Indigenous struggles among non-Indigenous Peoples and organizations

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The youth program of the council aims to strengthen international indigenous youth networks, to organize conferences and training programs, and to incorporate youth voice into council campaigns. The council does directly support a global indigenous youth network but helps create the relationships...
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The youth program of the council aims to strengthen international indigenous youth networks, to organize conferences and training programs, and to incorporate youth voice into council campaigns. The council does directly support a global indigenous youth network but helps create the relationships that are necessary for such a network to develop.

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