Association on American Indian Affairs

The Association on American Indian Affairs is the oldest non-profit serving Native Country protecting sovereignty, preserving culture, educating youth and building capacity. 

The Association was formed to change the destructive path of federal policy from assimilation, termination and allotment, to sovereignty, self-determination and self-sufficiency. Throughout our more than 100-year history, the Association has provided national advocacy on watershed issues that support sovereignty and culture, while working at a grassroots level with Native Nations to support the implementation of programs that support Native Peoples and the revitalization of culture. 

At the Association, we are dedicated to protecting and uplifting Native Nations and their citizens through our core initiatives: Cultural Sovereignty, Next Generations, and Become an Ally. Our programs are designed to empower Native Peoples by reclaiming and preserving what defines us, while fostering understanding, healing, and allyship. We believe that strengthening cultural connections and advocating for Native sovereignty will create a more equitable and accountable world for all.

Our Programs

Our Cultural Sovereignty program works to develop infrastructure - such as federal, state and Native Nation laws and policies that will support the return of our stolen lands, Ancestors, religious practices, languages, identity, and bringing home our children who died at boarding schools. In addition, we develop training, including our Annual Repatriation Conference, strategies and technical support to build capacity within Native Nations, and work to change perspectives of those who wish to hold onto our culture without free, prior and informed consent.

Our Next Generations program promotes strong, resilient youth, families and Nations through advocacy, education, cultural connections, healing and wellbeing. Next Generations initiatives include protection of the Indian Child Welfare Act, adoption investigation project, Native Youth Summer Camp Grants and the developing National Native Youth Summer Camp program, Native Youth Justice, and scholarships for Native undergraduate and graduate students. 

Become an Ally is our public education program that works to lift up Native Country by sharing information about issues important to Native Peoples, as well as information about our programs and how you can help support our vision, mission, goals and values. Become an Ally also includes all of our programs, as well as the Association's 100 years of history, our Indian Affairs journal that has been published since the 1930's, our internships, fellowships, and volunteer programs, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives, Red Hoop Talk podcast, among other public education initiatives.   

You can donate or become a member for just $25 a year or $500 for a lifetime. Anyone can be a part of the Association's family by becoming a member. As a member you will receive our bi-annual journal that has been published since the 1930s. Members will also receive special "calls for action" and invitations to participate in the governance of the organization. You can vote for members of the Association's Board of Directors and vote for changes to the Association's corporate charter and by-laws. 

The Association also accepts crypto currency and stock donations. 

If the work of the Association is meaningful to you and your family, you may provide for the Association with a living legacy in a charitable donation or trust as one of your last wishes. A charitable donation will minimize your taxable estate since charitable donations are exempt from gift taxes. 

To learn more, please visit our website at Indian-Affairs.org.