Who We Are

Our Shared Waters Alliance

The International Network for Indigenous Health and Knowledge Development (INIHKD) is a shared waters alliance advancing health, healing, and knowledge sovereignty across nations.

Since its inception in 2002, INIHKD has brought together Indigenous leaders, researchers, practitioners, and communities to co-design solutions to shared challenges and reimagine the systems shaping our collective futures.

Together, we reimagine global collaboration and activate our collective power to accelerate transformation through Indigenous-led pathways.

Our Work

Where Knowledge, Action, and Reimagining Futures Converge

INIHKD functions as a global convenor and action network grounded in Indigenous values, relational ethics, and interdependence.

Our alliance connects:

Indigenous communities and leaders
Researchers and practitioners
Data and knowledge systems
Policy makers and global institutions
Youth, elders, and generations yet to come

Across countries, oceans, disciplines, and time, we strengthen capacity; exchange evidence;re-imagine solutions, and advance Indigenous-led approaches to health, environment, governance, and innovation.

Our gatherings—such as the upcoming Reclaiming Indigenous Ecologies of Love for Future Generations (RIEL FFG) in Rarotonga—serve as living laboratories where Indigenous systems leadership is practiced, taught, and scaled.

Our Guiding Commitments

Our commitments guide our approach to convening, collaboration, research, and action. By bridging ancestral knowledge with modern innovation, policy, and practice, we ensure that Indigenous perspectives actively shape the global agenda across vital areas: health, environment, technology, and human development.

Relational Responsibility

Decisions honour land, water, ancestors, and future generations.

Collective power

Solutions emerge from many nations rising together.

Self-determination

Indigenous peoples define priorities and govern their own knowledge.

Knowledge sovereignty

Indigenous systems are recognised as authoritative bodies of evidence.

Work with us:

Indigenous Nations and Communities

INIHKD is a shared waters alliance: a place to reconnect, strengthen capacity, share innovation, and build solidarity.

We offer:

safe, Indigenous-run spaces and global platforms for sharing knowledge.
access to global Indigenous research, evidence, tools, and communities.
intergenerational capacity and leadership development.
community-driven action frameworks that return benefits directly to indigenous communities.
a global network empowering indigenous communities through community-driven action.

INIHKD exists for Indigenous peoples, led by Indigenous peoples, accountable to Indigenous peoples.

WHO and Multilateral Agencies

INIHKD offers a trusted, Indigenous-governed global mechanism for:

evidence-sharing across Indigenous nations
Indigenous-led health systems innovation
ethical global research partnerships
culturally grounded pandemic, climate, and wellbeing responses
policy guidance rooted in Indigenous values and obligations

We help global institutions shift from inclusion to Indigenous-led collaboration.

Philanthropic and Government Funders

INIHKD provides:

a mature, 20+ year global alliance with demonstrated impact
direct connection to Indigenous communities and knowledge systems
ethical frameworks for Indigenous data, research, and governance
scalable Indigenous-led programs addressing health, climate, and social systems
a global platform for investment that is culturally accountable and community-directed

Funding INIHKD is not project support—it is systems-level investment in Indigenous futures.

Policy Makers and Government Leaders

INIHKD offers:

Indigenous-led evidence, models, and tools for holistic wellbeing
policy frameworks grounded in relational accountability
cross-national insights into Indigenous health and knowledge sovereignty
pathways for government-Indigenous co-governance that honour Indigenous authority
access to a global Indigenous leadership network shaping future-ready systems

We support governments to build policies that are effective because they are relational, place-based, and Indigenous-led.

As many Indigenous oral histories across the world indicate, we have always met together to share stories and loving ecologies, learn strategies, and support one another’s health and wellbeing.

The first gathering of the INIHKD conference series was held in 2003 in Townsville, Australia. The conference theme was Knowledge Translation to improve the Health of Indigenous peoples
The second gathering of the INIHKD conference series was held in 2005 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
The third gathering of the INIHKD conference series was held in 2007 in Rotorua, Aotearoa/New Zealand.
The fourth gathering of the INIHKD conference series was held in 2010 in Seattle, WA, USA.
The fifth gathering of the INIHKD conference was held in 2025 in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, USA.
The sixth gathering of the INIHKD conference will take place November 2026 on the Cook Islands.