About IIWC
The International Indigenous Women’s Congress is a four day virtual gathering of 2000+ Indigenous women from around the world. Learn more below.
Overview
Overview
Overview
The first of its kind, the International Indigenous Women’s Congress (IIWC) is a mass gathering of Indigenous women from every corner of the earth in a virtual space. A longtime dream of Dr. Lyla June Johnston and Priscilla Peña (of Diné/Tsétsėhéstâhese and Mexica descent, respectively), they hope to convene 2000+ women in February 2027.
The first of its kind, the International Indigenous Women’s Congress (IIWC) is a mass gathering of Indigenous women from every corner of the earth in a virtual space. A longtime dream of Dr. Lyla June Johnston and Priscilla Peña (of Diné/Tsétsėhéstâhese and Mexica descent, respectively), they hope to convene 2000+ women in February 2027.
The first of its kind, the International Indigenous Women’s Congress (IIWC) is a mass gathering of Indigenous women from every corner of the earth in a virtual space. A longtime dream of Dr. Lyla June Johnston and Priscilla Peña (of Diné/Tsétsėhéstâhese and Mexica descent, respectively), they hope to convene 2000+ women in February 2027.
in·dig·e·nous peo·ple
in·dig·e·nous peo·ple
in·dig·e·nous peo·ple
n. A human group bound by a common language and cosmology with millennial experience in—and kinship with—their respective bioregion and homeland.
n. A human group bound by a common language and cosmology with millennial experience in—and kinship with—their respective bioregion and homeland.
n. A human group bound by a common language and cosmology with millennial experience in—and kinship with—their respective bioregion and homeland.
Outcomes
The intended goals of this gathering (subject to change based via consultation with advisory council) are to:
Outcomes
The intended goals of this gathering (subject to change based via consultation with advisory council) are to:
Outcomes
The intended goals of this gathering (subject to change based via consultation with advisory council) are to:
01
Feel our collective power when we are in the same room together.
01
Feel our collective power when we are in the same room together.
02
Share with one another our solutions/models/ideas for healing and thriving
02
Share with one another our solutions/models/ideas for healing and thriving
03
Weave deeper solidarity and sisterhood through the sharing of stories, songs, struggles, prayers and dreams.
03
Weave deeper solidarity and sisterhood through the sharing of stories, songs, struggles, prayers and dreams.
04
Share and record the 2000+ messages our sisters have for the world.
04
Share and record the 2000+ messages our sisters have for the world.
05
Publish a synthesis of these voices in both Eurocentric formats (e.g. a final report and podcast) as well as Indigenous based formats (e.g. wampum shell treaties, sacred staffs) and share our voice autonomously without filtering or permission from Eurocentric instructions.
05
Publish a synthesis of these voices in both Eurocentric formats (e.g. a final report and podcast) as well as Indigenous based formats (e.g. wampum shell treaties, sacred staffs) and share our voice autonomously without filtering or permission from Eurocentric instructions.
06
Strengthen and combine our pre-existing networks and initiatives.
06
Strengthen and combine our pre-existing networks and initiatives.
07
Strengthen intergenerational connections between elder and younger generations.
07
Strengthen intergenerational connections between elder and younger generations.
08
Support the decolonization and re-indigenization of all participants in our processes of reconnecting to our respective lineages.
08
Support the decolonization and re-indigenization of all participants in our processes of reconnecting to our respective lineages.
09
Bridge Indigenous People in more protected regions with those in more vulnerable/dangerous political situations to provide witness and support.
09
Bridge Indigenous People in more protected regions with those in more vulnerable/dangerous political situations to provide witness and support.
Who Should Join
The IIWC is intended for Indigenous women. Every woman in the world is Indigenous to somewhere. Therefore, all women around the world are invited. Having said this, we will center those voices who are most connected to unbroken lineages, homelands and ontologies to uplift the medicines and powers of rooted Indigenous cultures. We will also center the voices that are experiencing the greatest abuse at the hands of colonial forces to protect and uplift the most marginalized.
Furthermore, we seek to make a welcoming and safe space for non-gender conforming Indigenous communities, Indigenous trans women, and any femme person wishing to join our circle of sisters.
The IIWC is intended for Indigenous women. Every woman in the world is Indigenous to somewhere. Therefore, all women around the world are invited. Having said this, we will center those voices who are most connected to unbroken lineages, homelands and ontologies to uplift the medicines and powers of rooted Indigenous cultures. We will also center the voices that are experiencing the greatest abuse at the hands of colonial forces to protect and uplift the most marginalized.
Furthermore, we seek to make a welcoming and safe space for non-gender conforming Indigenous communities, Indigenous trans women, and any femme person wishing to join our circle of sisters.
What IIWC Is Not
A colonial space for Indigenous Peoples to gather on colonial terms
We do not seek to concentrate power, but rather weave and distribute power
IIWC is not “the” international Indigenous women’s group, but is rather a international Indigenous women’s group, with room for diverse power sharing
IIWC is not a place to seed division or competition among women
A colonial space for Indigenous Peoples to gather on colonial terms
We do not seek to concentrate power, but rather weave and distribute power
IIWC is not “the” international Indigenous women’s group, but is rather a international Indigenous women’s group, with room for diverse power sharing
IIWC is not a place to seed division or competition among women
What IIWC Is
As women bring life, the health of the diversity of Life around the world is our sole goal and concern
We are leaderless, with an organizing council existing only to serve the convening, documentation and distribution of Indigenous women’s voices, with each voice holding equal weight.
A place to foster unity among women, setting aside differences in service to Life
As women bring life, the health of the diversity of Life around the world is our sole goal and concern
We are leaderless, with an organizing council existing only to serve the convening, documentation and distribution of Indigenous women’s voices, with each voice holding equal weight.
A place to foster unity among women, setting aside differences in service to Life
Preliminary Phases
Preliminary Phases
Preliminary Phases
Current stage
Convene advisory council in early June 2026 to refine IWCC 27’s values, ethics, principles intentions, processes, duration, dates, name and goals
Work with advisory council and specialized consultants to map the program of the IIWC 2027
Convene advisory council each month until the launch of the inaugural congress.
Based on these council ideas, map the implementation process in terms of registration, invitations, tech onboarding, and other operational needs.