The Indigenous Peoples Institute Brief
THE "INDIGENOUS PEOPLES INSTITUTE" BRIEF
The Indigenous Peoples Institute is a small non-profit organization in structure. Through innovative research programs is regularly making a contribution to theory building in the field of humanities, tied to principals of social anthropology, with a focus on human rights.
The select core groups of researchers interdependently are working toward a common goal, rendering exponent results. The combined sum of these works yield new observable and testable evidence, broadening and deepening our understanding of the factors that shape the conditions we as humans live in. By measuring these factors and contitions we become more capable in our decisions about how to colaborate and proceed towards improvement, through new perspectives and information. These unique research methods cross multiple disciplines,reaching exponant forums.
These conditions not exclusive to one species or ecosystem, in fact pursuing actively the scientific fact that these interdependent systems rely upon each other for levels of understanding and support for existence. Discovering through our research and studies we begin to piece together a puzzle of globalization where Regional focal points addressed by our current staff cover vast areas of cultural/individual experiences of Indigenous descendants from the North America/South America regions to Eastern regions including Japan, Okinawa, Formosa, Burma, New Zealand,Southeast Asia, and the post-socialist countries of Eurasia. Despite regional cultural and thematic differences, researchers at the Institute share certain features.
Commonalities are:
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Comparison
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Comparison is an important priority at the Institute. Comparative analysis is carried out in two dimensions. On the one hand, regional clusters are studied (North or South American Indigenous Groups; Central Asia) and on the other hand, common thematic concerns are being analyzed across regions (i.e. belief systems, written histories, oral histories, governmental structures, and education.) Informal discussions and advanced seminars facilitate the exchange of information and stimulate the asking of new kinds of questions.
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Fieldwork
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Fieldwork is the distinct feature of anthropology as an empirical social science. Carried out in a relatively small-scale setting on a face-to-face basis by individuals who have established trust of individuals and governmental bodies. However informal in its structure, it remains the cornerstone of anthropology and is appropriately a central principle of the work done at the Institute. All researchers conduct extended fieldwork, equipped with the most current technology available, but more important - each are uniquely equipped with the personality traits, social skills and dedication to the issues. The staff and core group work independently toward the common goal as imperative. To improve in a measurable way, conditions from Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors. Recording and providing results through testable means.
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Research
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At present, the research program is realized in the framework of two sectors Psychology (in place of formal Sociology and Anthropology) and Native American and Indigenous Studies (in place of Sociological Anthropology). Both operating with-in the framework, under the umbrella of Humanities, and as individuals serving one project group, as the Indigenous Peoples Institute.
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