WIPCE is more than a conference every three years, it’s a global movement. In 1987, in Vancouver, Canada, Elders and knowledge keepers gathered to solidify the purpose and place of WIPCE, centred on the pivotal role of community. Since its inception, WIPCE has united Indigenous educators, leaders and knowledge keepers in a shared vision -— to honour, preserve and advance Indigenous education.

Indigenous knowledge is the heartbeat of Indigenous identity. It shapes how we understand the world, passed down through storytelling, cultural practice and lived experience. Indigenous culture is a taonga (gift). It is a legacy that is passed down through generations, shaping the principles and practices of people across the world. Indigenous peoples are represented on all continents of the earth and contribute significantly to the cultural and linguistic diversity of every whenua (land) they belong to. 

WIPCE has a longstanding legacy of celebrating Indigenous excellence in education. It has grown to become a major international event in the Indigenous calendar, providing the space for intrinsic Indigenous knowledge to be shared. WIPCE gathers Indigenous knowledge keepers from around the globe to share strategies for culturally grounded education, connect with other Indigenous peoples and hear from those world renowned in Indigenous education.

WIPCE 2025 will continue the legacy of the movement, looking to the past and present to inform the future of Indigenous knowledge.