Native American Indian Association of Tennessee

The Native American Indian Association of Tennessee, Incorporated (NAIA) is the only statewide non-profit organization with an all-Indian Board of Directors elected by the membership. NAIA represents the concerns of the more than 10,000 Native American Indian residents of Tennessee. NAIA is a service organization based on the principles of self-determination and self-reliance.

NAIA is committed to providing a broad range of services including job training and placement, vocational training, scholarships, bilingual and other educational services, health services, cultural revitalization and emergency assistance in times of crisis.

NAIA strives to represent all Native American Indians regardless of sex or tribe. Because there are no reservations in Tennessee, there has been no state or federal recognition of the Indian population and no services directed to them.

Our charter does not permit the NAIA to become involved, as an organization, in any political issues. Regardless of the personal or political views of the individual members, we must stay uninvolved in political issues to insure that our funding is not jeopardized and that we can meet the needs of all Native American Indians of Tennessee.

NAIA was chartered as a tax-exempt non-profit corporation in October 1983, under provisions of section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.