History

The Association on American Indian Affairs is the oldest non-profit serving Indian Country protecting sovereignty, preserving culture, educating  youth and building capacity. The Association was formed in 1922 to change the destructive path of federal policy from assimilation, termination and allotment, to sovereignty, self-determination and self-sufficiency. Throughout its 100-year history, the Association has provided national advocacy on watershed issues that support sovereignty and culture, while working on the ground at a grassroots level with Tribes to support the implementation of programs that affect lives on the ground.

The Association is governed by an all-Native American Board of Directors from across Indian country. As a membership organization, the Association speaks with unified voices from all over the country, both Native and non-Native together, to protect sovereignty, preserve culture, educate youth and build capacity.

Board of Directors
​Diverse Indian Country Advocates

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President Frank Ettawageshik (Odawa)
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Vice President Jonathan Perry (Wampanoag)
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Treasurer Joseph Daniels, Sr. (Forest County Potawatomi)
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Secretary Lisa "Tiger" Martin (Muscogee)
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Alfred R. Ketzler, Sr. (Athabascan)
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Sandy White Hawk (Lakota)
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John Echohawk (Pawnee)
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Rory Wheeler (Seneca)
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Brad Keeler (Cherokee)
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Josh Riley (Choctaw)

Staff
Native Advocates

Shannon O’Loughlin, Chief Executive and Attorney, is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Shannon has been practicing law for more than 22 years and is a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University. She is a former Chief of Staff to the National Indian Gaming Commission, where she assisted in the development and implementation of national policy throughout the agency, and oversaw the agency’s public affairs, technology, compliance and finance divisions.  Shannon has also served Indian Country in the private sector​ as an attorney​, leading a large national firm’s Indian law practice group that worked to strengthen, maintain and protect Indian nation sovereignty, self-determination and culture. Shannon was appointed by Secretary​ of the Department of the Interior, Sally Jewell to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Review Committee in 2013, and was appointed by President Barack Obama as the first Native American to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee within the State Department in 2015; she was fired by President Trump in 2019. ​Shannon received a B.A.​ in American Indian Studies​ from California State University, Long Beach and joint M.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Arizona​ in Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy​. 
​Ericca "CC" Hovie, Public Affairs & Communications Director, is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and lives in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. As a marketing and communications professional, CC has worked and volunteered for several organizations over the past two decades always looking to expand each organization’s reach. A lifelong learner, she attended Lake Superior State University and Ferris State University where she received leadership and management training. Most recently, she served as the communications manager for StrongHearts Native Helpline. Learning about the systems of oppression and taking direct personal action is one of her core values. CC practices radical compassion daily by reserving judgment, listening and being present. Reconnecting with her culture and spirit brings her joy. CC follows as many Native American and Alaska Native artists and creators on TikTok as possible.
Dillon Dobson, Program Director, is an enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and is one of his Nation’s ƛʼpúlmixq language revitalization leaders. Dillon has worked in Native Country for over a decade in a variety of capacities. Most recently, Dillon concluded a fellowship with renowned Northern California Indian Law firm where he assisted clients on a wide range of federal Indian law and international Indigenous human rights matters pertaining to cultural sovereignty, sacred site protection, water rights, environmental protection, and employment. He is also a published scholar with work that focuses on federal Indian and international Indigenous human rights law, Native Nation energy sovereignty, cultural sovereignty, Indigenous data sovereignty, and cutting-edge technologies including web3 and blockchain. As a law student at the University of Arizona, Dillon served as the President and Vice President of the Native American Law Students Association and as an undergrad he founded the Native American Student Union. Before law school, Dillon served Native Country as the Housing Director for the Cahto Tribe and as the Director of the United Native Housing Development Corporation. Dillon received a B.A.​ in “Community Organizing and Indigenous Realities” from the University of Redlands Johnston Center for Integrative Studies and his M.P.S and J.D. from the University of Arizona​’s Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program​. He has been a black belt in Tae Kwon Do since 2003 and is a former U.S. national and U.S. open champion in both sparring and forms. 

​Julie Hamilton, Office Manager, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and attended graduate school for Counseling at Loyola University. She began her career as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist with a local non-profit and then became the Director of Business Development for a private research organization. Julie resigned from her position to raise her two beautiful boys. In time, she began working for several nonprofit organizations, including the Canine Humane Network and Almost Home Dog Rescue as the Volunteer Coordinator and as a foster.  Julie loves animals, has fostered nearly 50 rescue dogs and works in a local horse barn. She also loves being outdoors - hiking, kayaking, stargazing, camping - anything that brings her closer to nature. When not working, she relishes time with her husband and children at their home outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Julie is proud to be joining the Association and serving Indian Country.

Special Projects Staff

Kim Mettler, MHA Nation, Youth Justice Programs and other special projects. Learn more about Kim here.
Shannon Martin, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, Tribal Museums Day programs.
Christine McCleave, National Native Youth Summer Camp. Learn more about Christine at christinemccleave.com.
Theresa Owens, The Association's 100 Year History Research & Special Projects.
​Andrew Meyer, Repatriation & Auctions. Learn more about Andrew here.

Council of Advisors
​Allies and Ambassadors for Indian Country

​The Council of Advisors is comprised of individuals who are interested in furthering the work of the Association. They hold a wealth of knowledge and various interests, and are prominent in their own fields. The Council’s primary initiatives consist of raising the profile of the the Association's work, assisting in planning our fundraising events, and supporting the Association to network with individuals who can assist programmatically and financially.  

Nadema Agard, Cherokee/Lakota/Powhatan       Gail Bruce                                                               Kimberly Guerrero, Colville/Salish-Kootenai/Cherokee
John Haworth, Cherokee                                           Dennis Hirschfelder                                             Alli Joseph, Shinnecock
Hattie Kauffman, Nez Perce                                     Kerry Kennedy                                                      Dr. Francesca Kress
Jody Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo                            Jane Safer                                                              George Stonefish, Lenape
Tommy Orange, Cheyenne & Arapaho                  Martha Redbone, Cherokee/Choctaw             Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Blackfeet
Josh Spear                                                                     Robert Saunooke, Cherokee                              Gloria Steinem                                                                         
DeLanna Studi, Cherokee                                          Lynn Taylor-Corbett                                            Howard B. Teich                                                                           
​Kathleen Wall, Jemez Pueblo