March 21 and 22, 2000:  Representatives of over 40 First Nations-owned and operated institutes across what is now called Canada met in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and agreed to unite and work together towards increasing awareness of, and resourcing for, Indigenous Institutes for Higher Learning (IIHL.) The report "Owning Our Education" came out of this meeting hosted by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC.)

September 28 and 29, 2000: A Memorandum of Agreement was signed in Ottawa creating draft bylaws and a steering committee for the creation of the National Association of Indigenous Institutes of Higher Learning.

August 10, 2001: Application for Incorporation Under the Canada Corporations Act. Incorporation was finalized on January 29, 2002.