Association of American Indian Affairs

The Association on American Indian Affairs is the oldest national Native non-profit organization protecting sovereignty, preserving culture, educating youth, and building capacity within Indian Country. Based in Clarksville, MD, the Association operates through three core program initiatives: Cultural Sovereignty, Next Generations, and Become an Ally. The Cultural Sovereignty program develops infrastructure through federal, state, and Native Nation laws and policies to support the return of stolen lands, ancestors, religious practices, languages, and identity. This program also provides training, strategies, and technical support to build capacity within Native Nations. The Next Generations program promotes strong, resilient youth, families, and nations through advocacy, education, cultural connections, healing, and wellbeing. Specific initiatives include protection of the Indian Child Welfare Act, adoption investigation projects, Native Youth Summer Camp Grants, Native Youth Justice programs, and scholarships for Native undergraduate and graduate students. The Become an Ally public education program works to promote understanding about Native Peoples, their sovereign nations, and diverse cultures through social media platforms and the Red Hoop Talk podcast. Founded in 1922 to change destructive federal policy from assimilation and termination to sovereignty and self-determination, the Association has provided over 100 years of national advocacy on watershed issues while working at the grassroots level with tribes to implement programs that create real change. The organization is governed by an all-Native American Board of Directors and operates as a membership organization speaking with unified voices from across the country.