American Indian Center facts for kids

The American Indian Center (AIC) in Chicago is the oldest center for Native American people in cities across the United States. It helps Native American communities by offering social services, programs for kids and older adults, cultural learning, and chances to meet others. For many years, it was in the Uptown area, and now it's in Albany Park, Chicago.

Why the Center Was Needed

The number of Native American people living in Chicago slowly grew in the late 1800s. This growth sped up in the 1900s. This happened partly because of US government policies like the Indian termination policy and the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. These policies encouraged Native Americans to move from reservations to cities.

Many Native Americans also moved to find jobs and better living conditions. They wanted to avoid problems like unemployment and lack of food on reservations. Before the AIC, women's groups helped Native Americans in Chicago. One important group was the First Daughters of America.

First Daughters of America

This group was started in 1930 by Tsianina Blackstone, a Cherokee-Creek opera singer, and other Native American women in Chicago. Their goals included showing Native Americans fairly in popular culture. They also wanted to remove unfair ideas about Native Americans from school books.

Another goal was to keep traditional Native American arts, crafts, and music alive. This group provided important social support until centers like the AIC were created.

History of the Center

American Indian Center interior in the former home of the AIC in Uptown (1966-2018). Photo by Eric Allix Rogers, courtesy of the NAES College Collection at the Northwestern University Libraries

The American Indian Center was planned to help Native Americans moving to Chicago. These people came from many different tribes across the country. They needed a place to connect and build a community in the city. The AIC helped them find common social and cultural ground.

The Center was founded in 1953 by Native Americans. They received help from the Quaker-affiliated American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). John Willard, who led the AFSC in Chicago, helped organize and raise money for the Center. From the very beginning, Native American members from various tribes have guided the Center.

Programs and Activities

One of the AIC's longest-running programs is its yearly pow-wow. This event helps people learn about Native American culture and traditions. The Center has also organized study programs, art shows, and meetings with schools.

The AIC has worked with Chicago Public Schools to create special education programs. One example was Little Big Horn High School, started in 1971 for Native American students. The AIC also has an archery program for young people and adults.

In 2005, the Center opened the Trickster Gallery in Schaumburg, Illinois. This gallery showed art by modern Native American artists. The Trickster Gallery is no longer connected to the AIC. The AIC is also part of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, which connects different cultural groups.

Other Important Groups and Events

The American Indian Center also played a role in starting other important groups. One such group was the Native American Committee (NAC). This committee was like the American Indian Movement in Chicago. It started within the AIC in 1969.

Native American Committee

The NAC formed to support the Occupation of Alcatraz. This was a protest by a group called "Indians of All Tribes." In 1971, the AIC's leader, Robert Rietz, passed away. This led to some changes in the Center's direction.

A group of younger AIC leaders wanted to use stronger ways to fight for Native American rights. They left the AIC and started the NAC. Many of these leaders had been part of the AIC's youth programs. The NAC was very important in starting the Native American Educational Services College in 1974. This college was run by and for Native Americans until 2005.

Chicago Indian Village Protest

The AIC also supported a protest about poor living conditions for Native Americans in Chicago. In 1970, a Menominee woman named Carol Warrington started a protest. She refused to pay rent because her apartment was in very bad shape.

On May 5, 1970, her landlord forced her and her children out of their home. Protesters, calling themselves the Chicago Indian Village (CIV), borrowed a ceremonial teepee from the AIC. This teepee became the symbol of their protest camp. They wanted to show the need for better housing for Native Americans in the city.

Some members of the Center thought the protest should be short. They did not join as the CIV protests continued for over a year.

See Also

• Urban Indian