The Indigenous Elders and Youth Council (IEYC), is grassroots collective of Indigenous representatives from the Americas working toward the protection and preservation of Indigenous knowledge, language and culture. The group evolved from the International Indigenous Elders Summit 2004. This gathering brought together Indigenous knowledge carriers and youth from North, South and Central America to discuss historical trauma and Indigenous approaches to healing. At this time, a group of Elders and helpers expressed interest in continuing to work together promoting and protecting Indigenous languages, culture, knowledge, and traditional land bases.

“Indigenous knowledge is a complete knowledge system with its own epistemology, philosophy, and scientific and logical validity... which can only be understood by means of pedagogy traditionally employed by the people themselves” (Battiste and Henderson, 2000: 41). The diversity of Indigenous Peoples’ cultures and histories should not be presented as a barrier to international networking on Indigenous Knowledge translation, but as an opportunity to demonstrate the advantages of plural knowledge systems in contemporary contexts. A primary focus of the council has been on Indigenous knowledge translation to youth and community members. Over the last two years the council has developed a working partnership with the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO), the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) and the Indigenous Studies Program of McMaster University. These organizations have partnered to support the mission statement and objectives of the I.E.Y.C.

If you wish to contact us, the information below is provided for your convenience.

Indigenous Elders and Youth Council
P.O. Box 700
Ohsweken, Ontario
N0A 1M0
Telephone: (519) 445-4714
Fax: (519) 445-4416