Mission

The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America and the Pacific working for the Sovereignty and Self-Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Rights, Traditional Cultures and Sacred Lands. The Council seeks to build official participation of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations, to gain international recognition for Treaties between Indigenous Peoples and Nation-States, and to inform and support indigenous peoples in their struggle for human rights, self-determination, and sovereignty.

Issues

Native American and Tribal Sovereignty, Environmental Health, Land Rights, Toxics, Water Pollution, Air Pollution, Community Organizing

Activities

Lobbying, Research, Organizing, Education, Direct Action, Testimony and Documentation presentation at U.N. Human Rights Commission

Programs/
Projects

A major program focus of IITC is addressing violations of Indigenous People's human rights in regard to Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development. Recent projects have involved organizing against spraying of herbicides near the water sources of California's Yurok Tribe, and opposing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The IITC works with various UN fora, such as the UN Commission on Human Rights, the UN Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to mold guidelines and programs for environmental protection and sustainable development.

Constitutency

Indigenous Peoples

Geographical Focus

International

Staff

2 San Francisco (Main office); 1 Alaska; 1 New York; 1 Guatemala

Volunteers

6-8

Membership Base

The IITC is not a membership organization. It affiliates Indigenous Nations and organizations that have an interest in taking their issues to the international arena.

Publications

Treaty Council News, published annually

Annuual Budget

$100,000 - $500,000

Year Founded

1974