About Us

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.

Annual Reports and Financials

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The Association's Board of Directors
​Diverse Indian Country Advocates

President Frank Ettawageshik (Odawa)

Vice President Jonathan Perry (Wampanoag)

Treasurer Joseph Daniels, Sr. (Forest County Potawatomi)

Secretary DeeAnn DeRoin, MD (Ioway)

Board Member Alfred R. Ketzler, Sr. (Athabascan)

Board Member John Echohawk (Pawnee)

Board Member Brad Keeler (Cherokee)

Board Member Sandy White Hawk (Lakota)

Board Member Rory Wheeler (Seneca)

The Association's Staff
Native Women Led 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 20 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​. 

Colleen Medicine, Program Director, is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and her family roots come from Mackinac Island, Michigan. Colleen has spent her entire career working within Indian Country and has held several positions within Tribal governments and non-profits. Most recently, Colleen served the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians as the Director of Language & Culture and NAGPRA Designee. Colleen has extensive experience working in Repatriation and sees no greater honor than assisting in the return of Ancestors and their objects. Colleen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration, with a minor in American Indian Studies from Central Michigan University. Colleen also holds a Master’s Degree in International Administration with a focus on International Repatriation, also from Central Michigan University. Colleen is also very proud to be an Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselor and a lifetime Anishinaabemowin language learner.

Special Project Staff

Christine McCleave, National Native Youth Summer Camp. Learn more about Christine at christinemccleave.com.
Tasha Fridia, Juvenile Justice. Learn more about Tasha here.
Theresa Owens, The Association's 100 Year History Research & Special Projects
​Andrew Meyer, Repatriation & Auctions. Learn more about Andrew here.
Julie Hamilton, Office Administration. Learn more about Julie here.

​The Association's 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