About NNAHRA

The National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) is a non-profit organization with a 501-(c)(6) Association and a 501-(c)(3) Foundation. NNAHRA’s mission is to serve, support and guide human resources professionals and tribal leaders working within Indigenous Country. NNAHRA’s focus is providing educational events, services, networking and professional certifications in an effort to preserve tribal sovereignty, self-sufficiency and the right to self-govern.

Historically, NNAHRA started out as a grass-roots effort with four tribes meeting to network and share personnel issues and challenges in 1996. The first gathering had 4 participants from the Pacific Northwest and evolved into a national organization with over 2,000 active members representing over 400 tribes. We are now in our 28th year of existence!

NNAHRA ACTIVITES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Annual Conference with attendance increasing annually with:
    • Over 600 attendees
    • 400 tribes represented
    • Expected attendance 700+ in 2023
  • Development and Educational Summits launched in 2010 – focused topics have included:
    • Benefits and Compensation
    • Training and Development
    • Succession Planning & Mentoring
    • Law and Indian Country
    • Recruitment and Retention
    • Mental Health Awareness
    • Women Empowerment
  • Legal Series—Employee Relations and new legislation
  • NNAHRA Certifications:
    • Development of the Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) Certification in 2010
      • Over 3,000 certified through NNAHRA and affiliate
      • Assumed the role of first party administrator of THRP in Partnership with Drummond, Woodsum & MacMahon (DWM) on September 21, 2015
      • Improved the curriculum of certification training
    • Introduction of Advanced THRP (THRP II) Certification
    • Adjudication Certification
  • Introduction of Tribal Leadership Workshop
  • Monthly “Coffee with NNAHRA” virtual workshops
  • Partnership with InnoVision on marketing plan and strategy
  • Created a job announcement benefit to assist tribes with their recruiting efforts
  • Continued working with an established Advisory Board to assist in the advisement of grant funding opportunities; new educational and program offerings; sponsorships and capacity building
  • Administration of NNAHRA’s California Indian Gaming Wage Survey and the Pacific Northwest Indian Gaming Wage Survey

NNAHRA GOALS

  • Wage Surveys: Expand wage survey offerings to Tribal Governments in 2024
  • Membership Services: Enhance membership services; regional chapter creation; social media enhanced shared resources
  • Relationship Building: Serve as a bridge connecting other Native American non-profit organizations to improve human resources/organization development presence in areas of government leadership and operations
  • Networking: Serve as a bridge connecting those working for native organizations or tribal governments to become a resource for each other
  • Administration: Identify and select fulltime staff to fully carry out the mission and goals of the volunteer board of professionals
  • Partnership: Gain support of individual; corporation and government entities to increase NNAHRA visibility and support of the mission to create and sustain a viable workforce of tribal area community members
  • Identify Grants to fund additional staff and programs to further support our membership
  • Consulting:  Provide best practice consulting by providing assessment, administration, and technical assistance for Tribes and their enterprises

For Questions about the 2023 California Tribal Gaming Salary & Benefits Survey, please contact our Survey Administrator at compsurvey@nnahra.org

NOTICE OF PROPRIETY RIGHTS

The data represented in this survey report is a proprietary initiative of NNAHRA. The data is solely for the use of the participants and not for resale or redistribution. No part of the contents of this report may be reproduced or redistributed without express written permission of NNAHRA.

Every effort has been made to provide accurate and timely information. However, NNAHRA cannot guarantee the correctness of the data furnished by the participant.

What We Do

Our vision is to be recognized and valued as the organization of choice to advocate, research and educate in the name of Indian Country human resources professionals and to protect and honor Tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction through meaningful human resources practices.

Our mission is to provide timely and trusted information and resources to those serving and leading Tribal government and enterprises in areas of people management, employment policy development and capacity building across Indian Country.

Historically, the association started out as a grass-roots effort with four tribes meeting to network and share personal challenges and solutions. The meetings evolved into conferences and soon the membership grew into a formal northwest, and then national association. We are now in our 20th year of existence continuing to advance and advocate for Native American tribes by sticking to our goals:

  • Serving Native HR professionals through education via the THRP Certification
  • Maintaining THRP Certification by offering timely and informative quarterly Summits focused on specific topics
  • Monitoring, advocating and participating on a federal level in matters involving workplace regulations impacting Indian Country
  • Researching, surveying and informing members of best workplace practices through multiple communication channels
  • Applying and receiving grants to build capacity and credibility of Native-led HR.
  • Providing direct services for Tribes and Tribal organizations in areas of employment policy development, organizational structuring and onsite training services.

Who We Are

We are a team of professionals made up of an elected Board of Directors, an appointed Advisory Committee and supporting Staff members.

Our Board of Directors are each employed by a tribe or tribal organization. Members serve voluntarily and are eligible for re-election after each term.

Our Advisory Committee is comprised of professionals serving Indian County and are appointed by the Board to serve two-year terms. Areas of expertise includes law, technology, education, philanthropy, and finance. Advisors in turn serve the board in their profession to successfully support and operate NNAHRA.

Last but not least, our Staff consists of dedicated professionals with years of experience in tribal affairs in Indian County. In many cases, staff members contribute to furthering NNAHRA’s mission by being elected and appointed to seats on the Board and Advisory Committee.