Association of American Indian Affairs
About Association of American Indian Affairs
Since 1922, the Association on American Indian Affairs has stood as a steadfast advocate for Native American communities, working to transform federal policy and protect what matters most to Indian Country. Operating from Clarksville, Maryland, this membership-based organization brings together Native and non-Native voices united in a common mission: to lead the grassroots fight to protect Native American Cultural Sovereignty. Governed entirely by an all-Native American Board of Directors representing tribes across the nation, the Association embodies authentic Native leadership and accountability. For more than a century, the organization has provided national advocacy on critical issues affecting sovereignty and culture while maintaining deep grassroots connections with tribes implementing real programs that change lives. The Association's vision is to create a world where diverse Native American cultures and values are lived, protected, and respected. This commitment extends across multiple dimensions of community support, from protecting sacred sites and repatriating ancestors to supporting youth through scholarships, summer camps, and justice initiatives. The organization's work addresses the lasting impacts of boarding schools, advocates for Indian Child Welfare Act protections, and fights to end harmful Native mascots and violence against Native peoples. By combining national advocacy with localized tribal partnerships, the Association demonstrates that meaningful change happens when communities lead their own futures. As a virtual organization with staff throughout Turtle Island, the Association recruits from across Native Country to ensure they can be wherever needed to support sovereignty, culture, education, and capacity building.