National Indian Education Association
About National Indian Education Association
Founded in 1969 by Native educators in Minneapolis, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) has grown into a member-driven organization headquartered in Washington, DC, with a singular focus: ensuring that American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students thrive in the classroom and beyond. For more than five decades, NIEA has been the only national organization exclusively dedicated to this mission, serving as a voice for Native educators, students, and advocates across the country.
At the heart of NIEA's work are three founding principles that continue to guide the organization today: bringing Native educators together to explore ways to improve schools and educational experiences for Native children; promoting the maintenance and continued development of Native languages and cultures; and developing strategies to influence policy at all levels of government. These principles reflect NIEA's belief that traditional Native cultures and values form the foundation of meaningful learning and educational success.
NIEA's community impact extends through its annual convention, which has become a national forum for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and policy development. The organization empowers communities by building capacity for self-determination, enabling Native youth and educators to nurture the strengths, resilience, and intelligence of their students grounded in traditional Native ways. Through membership, partnerships with aligned organizations, and direct advocacy efforts, NIEA creates programs and advocates for policies that support comprehensive, culturally-grounded learning opportunities. The organization welcomes Native educators, advocates, and supporters who share its commitment to closing achievement gaps and helping Native students reach their full potential.