Indigenous communities worldwide wrestle with many challenges and sufferings because of the historical legacy of colonial oppression and expansion. The health and well-being disparities that indigenous individuals experience are well documented. To eliminate health disparities, traditional mainstream approaches have been adopted into the welfare system and social services, even though the traditional services provision are often seen as ineffective, oppressive, and even pathologic by many tribal members. Indigenous communities tend to operate a different worldview compared to dominant culture; therefore, a progressive step toward developing a more culturally congruent service provision is essential and urgent to close the gap.

     We convinced that indigenous wisdom and ancestral knowledge hold the answers to challenges. The 5th International Indigenous Voices In Social Work Conference (IIVSWC) seeks to share experiences on identifying, analyzing, and implementing effective practice strategies with indigenous communities. IIVSWS invites students, social workers, community members, researchers, educators, administrators and policymakers to discuss these issues. Together, we are going to build the knowledge and develop the empowerment approaches to heal, reconcile and transform to meet the demands toward promoting indigenous well-being.