Currently, many development processes are conducted without the full participation of indigenous and tribal communities. The indigenous Amerindians and the tribal Maroons are displaced and dispossessed by this process, and live as an alienated minority. The indigenous and tribal communities must be included in the design, execution, and analysis phases of projects that impact the mental, physical, and social health and well-being of their communities.

The SIHF is a small, independent international NGO with volunteer contributors from countries in North America, South America and Europe. We are guided by Indigenous leaders and their communities, in relationship with an international, ecumenical advisory board. All SIHF projects are led by Indigenous partners. Since Indigenous partners define all project priorities and goals, SIHF:

• Recruits volunteers to advise and assist from a spectrum of fields and disciplines
• Connects Indigenous partners to resources that include funding, training and equipment that would otherwise not be available to them
• Provides technical assistance traversing international governance structures

For more background and articles about the early work of the SIHF team see the page:
2004 to 2006 Research and Formative Work of SIHF.