Our Programs

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.

Cultural Sovereignty

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. ​

Next Generations

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. ​

Becoming an Ally

Becoming an Ally is our public affairs and communication arm that works to lift Native Country by sharing information about our program successes and how you can help support our vision, mission, goals and values. Become an Ally and our public education work includes all of our programs and initiatives, 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.  ​

Join the #EverythingBack Movement

We are empowered and guided by the concept of #EverythingBack as an intentional movement towards reconciliation, reparation, return – healing and making whole – of everything that was stolen, taken, and looted without free, prior, and informed consent.

​#EverythingBack is about shared values for the environment, diversity, family and community. #EverythingBack is a call to action to Native Country, our allies, and supporters to stand united and demand that the very things that make us who we are as human beings and autonomous sovereign Nations, are returned. This movement is for the healing of Native Nations and their citizens, as well as a healing for all of us as we take accountability in our roles to take care of the Earth, and one another. 

Join the #EverythingBack Movement by using the hashtags on social media while centering Native voices on these issues!​ 
​The Association acknowledges the 574 federally recognized Native Nations and about 400 other Native Nations, Bands and Communities that have not been acknowledged by the U.S. Department of the Interior – and that every step we take on this Turtle Island is the land and mother of those Native Nations.