Kim Mettler is a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and serves as the Next Generations Director for the Association on American Indian Affairs. With more than 25 years working in Native Country, she has been dedicated to advancing the rights, safety, dignity and resilience of Native women, youth and Nations through education and advocacy.
Kim’s focus has been at the intersection of Native Nation sovereignty, systems change, leadership and collaboration. Through her work as an attorney and in child welfare, Kim has developed expertise in intergovernmental relations and policy analysis, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), intergenerational trauma and healing, wellbeing, leadership development, racial justice and equity, and relationship building. She has trained professionals serving Native children and families, advocated for youth in foster care, led the development of California’s ICWA curriculum, and supported cross-jurisdictional collaboration between Native Nations and state systems.
A skilled coach, facilitator and bridge builder, Kim is recognized for her ability to foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders and to strengthen Native Peoples’ and Native Nations’ capacity to advance healing, self-determination and thriving futures. She holds degrees in social justice and law, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples' law and policy.
Kim’s focus has been at the intersection of Native Nation sovereignty, systems change, leadership and collaboration. Through her work as an attorney and in child welfare, Kim has developed expertise in intergovernmental relations and policy analysis, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), intergenerational trauma and healing, wellbeing, leadership development, racial justice and equity, and relationship building. She has trained professionals serving Native children and families, advocated for youth in foster care, led the development of California’s ICWA curriculum, and supported cross-jurisdictional collaboration between Native Nations and state systems.
A skilled coach, facilitator and bridge builder, Kim is recognized for her ability to foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders and to strengthen Native Peoples’ and Native Nations’ capacity to advance healing, self-determination and thriving futures. She holds degrees in social justice and law, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples' law and policy.
