Niyok was born and raised in the Southern Water Tribe. Sometime before 102 AG, she moved to work at the Earthen Fire Refinery in the Earth Kingdom. One day, Niyok spotted Katara walking with Avatar Aang, Sokka, and three Air Acolytes, Xing Ying, Yee-Li, and Jingbo. She caught Katara's attention and happily embraced the waterbender, whom she had not seen since Katara's departure from the tribe with Aang years prior. Upon inquiry, she explained that she had traveled to the Earth Kingdom in order to work at the refinery. Their reunion was cut short, however, when Nutha gave Katara a noncommittal stare and called Niyok back over to where she and another friend were sitting.