International Institute for
Indigenous Resource Management

The lands, resources, and rights of indigenous peoples are affected by a complex web of science, research and development, resource management, educational, social, and other policies of national and international governmental agencies, NGOs, and private corporations. In some instances these policies directly implicate indigenous peoples's lands, resources, and rights. However, in the main, the impact on indigenous peoples of these policies is unintended and collateral. The International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management believes that indigenous peoples and their representatives should participate in the development of these policies. The Institute's Roundtables serve two purposes. Through briefing papers we first demonstrate how the lands, resources, and rights of indigenous peoples are affected. Secondly, through a series of facilitated dialogues with representatives from academia, government agencies, Indian tribes, indigenous peoples's organizations, NGOs and the private sector we examine and propose research and action agendas to support policies that protect and advance indigenous peoples's interests in areas as diverse as long-term stewardship of highly contaminated sites, genetic research, and energy development.