PBI was founded in 1981 by people from around the world committed to the non-violent resolution of
conflicts and the support of human rights. PBI sends unarmed peace teams - when invited - into areas of
violent repression or conflict. Their task is to reduce the level of violence by their non-partisan presence
and actions, and to support local, non-violent initiatives for justice.
The North America Project (NAP) officially began in 1991. The initial goal was to form teams of international volunteers to be present during conflicts involving First Nations people. NAP was formed in response to violence that occurred in 1990 on the Mohawk reserve of Akwesasne on the Quebec/Ontario/New York border over the issue of gambling. This was followed by a violent stand-off between Mohawks and both the Quebec police and the Canadian army over the expansion of a golf course onto a native burial ground in Oka, Quebec.