NNAAPC was founded in 1987 by Native people working in the areas of public health, primary care, social work, and substance abuse treatment, willing to speak publicly on the need for HIV prevention and education by and for Native people.

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NNAAPC is historically the first national Native American health organization funded entirely outside of Indian Health Service (IHS) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) monies. NNAAPC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. For 27 years, NNAAPC was the only national HIV specific Native American organization in the country.

 

NNAAPC was formed to be the champion for Native communities against discrimination in the development of national HIV/AIDS policy, funding allocations, and testing and counseling services. NNAAPC continues to evolve with the addition of HCV and STI programs and addressing other health and mental health needs of the Native community.