Center for World Indigenous Studies
The Center for World Indigenous Studies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and education organization founded in 1979 that serves as an Indigenous-directed think tank, publishing the Fourth World Journal, preserving Indigenous knowledge through the Chief George Manuel Library, advancing traditional medicine, and providing consultation services to Indigenous nations worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersOlympia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Center for World Indigenous Studies does
The Center for World Indigenous Studies (CWIS) is an Indigenous-directed nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and education organization founded in 1979 and headquartered in Olympia, Washington. It operates as a think tank and publisher focused on Indigenous peoples' self-determination, rights, and traditional medicine, serving Indigenous nations, scholars, activists, and healthcare practitioners globally. Its core products and infrastructure consist of the Fourth World Journal (FWJ), an open-access peer-reviewed international journal published continuously since 1984 (ISSN 1090-5251, transitioned to open access in September 2025); the Chief George Manuel Library, a digital documents repository preserving 50+ years of Indigenous knowledge since 1979; the Center for Traditional Medicine, operating since 1977 to advance clinical practice, research, and policy through an Indigenous-centered lens; the Nations International Criminal Tribunal (NICT), a legal advocacy initiative; and the International Covenant on the Rights of Indigenous Nations (ICRIN), the first comprehensive nation-based international law ratified by Indigenous nations. CWIS also offers online courses in Indigenous Studies and Traditional Medicine, plus consultation services covering international legal advice, policy analysis, conflict resolution, and self-governance to Indigenous nations.
The business model is donation- and grant-supported with no publicly disclosed pricing for publications. The bookstore generates modest direct revenue from CWIS author publications, while consultation services are handled directly by core staff. Distribution occurs primarily through the CWIS website (cwis.org), the FWJ open-access platform (fwj.cwis.org), social media channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Issuu), an email newsletter, and documentary films. The customer base spans Indigenous nations and Fourth World peoples (research covering 6,000+ nations representing over 1.9 billion people worldwide), international Indigenous scholars and activists contributing to and consuming FWJ, traditional medicine practitioners and healthcare providers, and Indigenous nations seeking technical support.
Center for World Indigenous Studies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center for World Indigenous Studies
- Legal name
- Center for World Indigenous Studies
- Website
- https://cwis.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Center for World Indigenous Studies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and education organization founded in 1979 that serves as an Indigenous-directed think tank, publishing the Fourth World Journal, preserving Indigenous knowledge through the Chief George Manuel Library, advancing traditional medicine, and providing consultation services to Indigenous nations worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center for World Indigenous Studies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indigenous Studies Research and Advocacy
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
Keywords
Where Center for World Indigenous Studies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Olympia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Center for World Indigenous Studies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Center for World Indigenous Studies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CWIS operates as a nonprofit research and education think tank providing policy research, advocacy, and direct technical support to Indigenous nations worldwide. Its primary outputs include peer-reviewed academic publishing through the Fourth World Journal, preservation of Indigenous knowledge via the Chief George Manuel Library, traditional medicine clinical care and research through the Center for Traditional Medicine, and consultation services covering international legal advice, policy analysis, conflict resolution, and self-governance support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fourth World Journal: Open-access, peer-reviewed international journal published by CWIS, featuring research and analysis by and about writers from Fourth World nations
- Center for Traditional Medicine
- Chief George Manuel Library
- Nations International Criminal Tribunal
Products and services
- Fourth World Journal
Companies that use Center for World Indigenous Studies
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Center for World Indigenous Studies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Center for World Indigenous Studies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- GuidestarminorCWIS is listed on Guidestar with profile number 91-1247029, indicating nonprofit transparency and credibility.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Center for World Indigenous Studies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cultural Survival: Indigenous-led nonprofit supporting Indigenous peoples' rights globally through advocacy, media, and community partnerships. Directly comparable to CWIS as a global Indigenous rights and self-determination organization.
- Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education): Indigenous-led global policy research and education center focused on Indigenous peoples' rights, climate, and sustainable development. Directly comparable to CWIS in international Indigenous policy research scope.
- National Congress of American Indians: The oldest, largest American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization in the U.S. Comparable to CWIS as a national Indigenous advocacy and policy organization, though focused on U.S. tribal governance rather than global Fourth World issues.
- International Indian Treaty Council: Indigenous-founded nonprofit working to promote Indigenous sovereignty through international human rights mechanisms. Operates in overlapping territory with CWIS, particularly on international legal advocacy.
- Indian Law Resource Center: Indigenous-led law and policy organization providing international legal advocacy and human rights support for Indigenous peoples. Closely comparable to CWIS's NICT and policy advisory work.
- Native American Rights Fund: Major national Indian law firm providing legal advocacy to Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals. Comparable to CWIS in providing legal and advocacy support to Indigenous nations, though focused on U.S. domestic law.
Broad incumbents
- World Resources Institute: Global research organization working on sustainability and environmental issues including Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge. Broader scope than CWIS but overlapping in Indigenous governance and climate policy research.
- National Indian Education Association: Advocacy organization advancing comprehensive, culturally based education for Indigenous peoples. Comparable to CWIS's education and knowledge preservation mission, though with a more U.S. K-16 focus.
- Survival International: Global movement for Indigenous and tribal peoples' rights with a focus on public campaigns and advocacy. Comparable to CWIS in global Indigenous rights advocacy but with a more media/activism-driven approach.
- First Nations Development Institute: Larger U.S.-focused Indigenous nonprofit supporting tribal economic development, asset building, and grantmaking. Comparable in nonprofit Indigenous development work but with a more economic rather than policy/legal focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Center for World Indigenous Studies social profiles
Digital presenceCenter for World Indigenous Studies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center for World Indigenous Studies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Center for World Indigenous Studies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Center for World Indigenous Studies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Center for World Indigenous Studies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Center for World Indigenous Studies
What does Center for World Indigenous Studies do?
CWIS operates as a nonprofit research and education think tank providing policy research, advocacy, and direct technical support to Indigenous nations worldwide. Its primary outputs include peer-reviewed academic publishing through the Fourth World Journal, preservation of Indigenous knowledge via the Chief George Manuel Library, traditional medicine clinical care and research through the Center for Traditional Medicine, and consultation services covering international legal advice, policy analysis, conflict resolution, and self-governance support.
Is Center for World Indigenous Studies a public or private company?
Center for World Indigenous Studies is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Center for World Indigenous Studies founded?
Center for World Indigenous Studies was founded in 1979. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Center for World Indigenous Studies based?
Center for World Indigenous Studies is headquartered in Olympia, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Center for World Indigenous Studies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cultural Survival, Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education), National Congress of American Indians, International Indian Treaty Council, Indian Law Resource Center and Native American Rights Fund. Broad incumbents are World Resources Institute, National Indian Education Association, Survival International and First Nations Development Institute.
Does Center for World Indigenous Studies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center for World Indigenous Studies.
What industry is Center for World Indigenous Studies in?
Center for World Indigenous Studies's product category is Indigenous Studies Research and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAO, Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes. Its NAICS code is 54172 and its SIC code is 8600.