As a networking organization, IIN works with many different community-based and non-governmental organizations, helping to create links and partnerships whenever possible. IN addition to working with indigenous peoples’ organizations based in Africa, IIN also networks with organizations in Asia, Latin America and worldwide. The organizations we work with are all invested in advancing indigenous and minority peoples’ interests. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all of our partners, and hope that we are able to contribute to their efforts to fight for justice.

Simba Maasai Outreach Organization (SIMOO)

SIMOO is a local outreach organization which is based in the Olosho-Oibor villages in Ngong, Kajiado District, Kenya. This organization was formed with the main objective of improving the living standards of the poorest community members through integrated projects. It runs a number of projects to address issues of education, environment, health and gender. Their activities include: running a food security program; maintaining a farm; coordinating water supply to the community; maintaining a dam as a water source for livestock; maintaining an indigenous peoples’ garden; helping to cover school fees and providing text books and uniforms; and holding workshops on human rights, land rights and health. In order to promote the preservation of Maasai culture, the organization has also set up its own museum of cultural artifacts at their Seu-seu Biodiversity Center. Since SIMOO covers a wide range of activities with limited outside funding, it uses the biodiversity center as a campsite for eco-tourism purposes to provide itself with another source of income.
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Namayiana Maasai Women’s Group

Namayiana is a self-help group run by Maasai women in Ngong, Kajiado District, Kenya. The group was formed in 1990 with the amalgamation of Nkanyuak and Enkerai women’s self-help groups, which were both dedicated to fundraising for the benefit of the community, especially children. To generate income, the women of Namayiana create elaborately beaded jewelry, based on traditional and modern designs. The money raised by the sale of the beadwork is used to help community members pay for basic amenities such as food, clothing and school fees. This money is extremely valuable to the community, and has even saved lives during times of drought. However, most of the women still don’t have the money necessary to send their children to secondary school, and water access is a problem in the area. Through its struggles to improve the lives of those around them, the group has helped to change perceptions of gender roles in the community. Its members are proving that women are valuable members of the community who are worthy of respect.
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Merigo Women’s Group

Merigo Women’s Group is based in Marsabit District, Kenya. The group formed in 2002, and is run entirely by indigenous women. The aim of the group is to promote Rendille culture and environmental conservation. In 2002, the group acquired land on which they built traditional huts as a campsite, and they plan to establish a Rendille cultural centre and a curio shop within the near future. Other activities include the planting and conservation of endangered indigenous trees. Though they are facing the challenges of illiteracy, lack of finances, lack of exposure and lack of environmental specialists, the women are not discouraged. They continue to work towards the development of the campsite, and the establishment of adult education classes in the area.
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Ilaramatak Lorkonerei

Ilaramatak Lorkonerei is a non-governmental organization which is based in Tanzania. Its objective is to create a community of pastoralists which is educationally, economically and culturally advanced without destroying traditional cultures. The organization’s programs are handled by various departments: the department of security and planning; the department of education, beliefs and traditions; the department of information and communication; the department of community health, gender and child development; the department of economy and food security; and the department of human rights and environment. Ilaramatak Lorkonerei’s activities aim to improve the lives of Pastoralists through trainings, educational initiatives, financial aid and the use of the media.

Unissons-nous pour le Promotion des Batwa (UNIPROBA)

UNIPROBA, or the Organization for the Promotion of the Batwa, is based in Burundi. It is an organization which is dedicated to helping improve lives of the Batwa people, a group which has been marginalized and discriminated against in Burundi. The Batwa are an isolated group which lacks education and infrastructure. To address these issues, UNIPROBA organizes seminars addressing questions of human rights and health. Recently, a series of talks on HIV/AIDS were organized in order to address the community’s lack of awareness about this disease. The lessons being passed on at the workshops are being disseminated at the community level. This information will invaluable for those who are at risk or who are already affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Ogiek Peoples Development Program (OPDP)

The Ogiek Peoples Development Program (OPDP) was founded in 1999, and registered as a non-governmental organization in 2001. It was formed by Ogiek elders, opinion leaders, farmers and professionals to address historical land injustices which deprived Ogiek community members of their rights as Kenyan citizens. Its aim is to protect Ogiek culture, land, language, environment, and human rights. It is based in Nakuru town and operates in three main districts inhabited by this community, namely Nakuru, Mount Elgon and Narok. The goals of the organization are to: advocate and lobby on Ogiek issues at all levels; coordinate learning and sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences between Ogiek organizations and key stakeholders; and to enhance gender equity in all aspects of Ogiek community development.

The International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests (IAITPTF)

The International Alliance was established in Penang, Malaysia in 1992, and is now based in Thailand. Its activities include information dissemination through the publication of a newsletter, Voices of the Rain Forest, and of a series of books entitled Our Knowledge for Our Survival: Traditional Forest Related Knowledge and the Implementation of Related International Commitments. IA’s activities are implemented through nine regional focal points worldwide, and the newsletter is produced quarterly by different regions. The East African region was inaugurated in November 2002, during the 4th IA Conference, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference was coordinated by IIN and hosted by United Nations Environmental Program. IIN joined the Alliance in 1998, and was subsequently elected as the regional focal point for Eastern Africa. Since last year, IA has also been implementing the Indigenous Peoples Network for Change project, which aims to encourage Indigenous participation in environmental conservation.
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International Alliance Website

Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)

IPACC is a networking organization that works for the support of indigenous peoples’ organizations in Africa. The IPACC Secretariat was opened in South Africa in 1998, and the organization has been growing ever since. Any legitimate organization which is composed of African Indigenous peoples can apply for membership. Members elect an Executive Committee, with representatives from five regions in Africa. IPACC works to promote the recognition of the struggles of indigenous peoples in Africa, to support indigenous advocacy and networking, and to promote sustainable development. To that end, IPACC: ensures indigenous participation at international meetings and conferences of relevance; conducts missions in Africa to raise awareness and work with organizations at a community level; and funds regional projects, as well as helping groups find funding for outside sources. IPACC provides a helping hand for indigenous peoples to connect more easily and achieve their goals through cooperation.
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IPACC Website

International Indigenous Women’s Forum/Foro Internacional de Mujeres Indigenas (FIMI)

FIMI is a network of strong indigenous women’s leaders from Asia, Africa, and the Americas, whose purpose is to strengthen indigenous women’s networks, increase their participation and visibility in the international arena, and build capacity. The organization was first conceived of after the UN Fourth World Conference on Women, which was held in Beijing in 1995. This was one of the first times that indigenous women were able to gather together at an international level to network and articulate their needs. Five years later, a follow-up meeting known as Beijing+5 was held in New York, and it was then that FIMI was formed. As indigenous organizations have traditionally been led by men, FIMI seeks to promote female leadership in indigenous communities. Its work is focused on the following program areas: international advocacy and women’s political participation; human rights training and capacity-building; and the Indigenous Women’s Fund. Through these programs, FIMI seeks to ensure indigenous women’s participation in international decision-making processes, to help indigenous women build leadership and advocacy skills, and to provide indigenous women with resources in a way that respects their visions, priorities, and perspectives. 
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FIMI Website

MADRE

MADRE is an international women’s human rights organization which is based in New York. MADRE works in partnership with community based women’s groups worldwide. Programs reflect a human rights-based and people-centred approach to achieving the UN Millenium Development Goals. The organization provides resources and training to enable sister organizations to meet these goals by addressing immediate needs in the communities and developing long-term solutions to the crises they face. Since its formation in 1983, MADRE has delivered over 22 million dollars worth of support to community-based women’s groups in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans, Asia, and the United States. This organization has been instrumental in helping IIN reach out to Indigenous women in East Africa, particularly through trainings on human rights, community mobilization and women’s empowerment.
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Madre Website

Other Partners

A few of the other groups and organizations that work with IIN:

African Indigenous Women’s Organization
International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
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Sorta Sopon Indigenous Peoples Biodiversity
Isogargaro Women’s Group
Parakuyo Community Organisation
United Organisation for Batwa Development in Uganda
Karamoja Community
Boni Hunter-gatherers
Tunga Rural Cross-border Development Initiative (TOBARI)
Mwedo Maasai Women’s Development Organization
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Chepkitale Ogiek Indigenous Peoples Development Project
Pokot Indigenous Community Sustainable Development
Kemar Relief and Development Organization
Ilchamus Development Consortium
Indigenous Waata Peoples’ Organization
Friends of Waata Association
Tsunza Conservation and Development Project
Humanitarian Efforts for the Learning of the Girl Child in Africa
Institute for Orkonerei Pastoralist Advancement
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Ilkishili Women’s Group
Womankind Kenya
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