Mission

Committed to The Preservation of
Native American Culture

Our Mission

The mission of the American Indian Center of Chicago (AIC) is to promote fellowship among Indian people of all Tribes living in metropolitan Chicago and to create bonds of understanding and communication between Indians and non-Indians in this city; to advance the general welfare of American Indians into the metropolitan community life; to foster the economic advancement of Indian people; to sustain cultural, artistic, and avocational pursuits; and to perpetuate Indian cultural values.

Our History

The American Indian Center of Chicago (AIC) has a long history of serving American Indians. Established in 1953, this Center is the first urban Indian Center in the country. Federal policies such as termination and the Indian Relocation program of the 1950s brought thousands of American Indians from all over the country to metropolitan Chicago. Because of this influx of reservation Indians, AIC was organized to help Native families cope with the transition from reservation to urban life.

Our Programs

AIC focuses on the arts by offering workshops such as drum making, moccasin making, and also by housing the first and only art gallery space dedicated to the promotion and education of Native artists in the city of Chicago. AIC runs a year round education program for youth that provides culturally based after school and summer programming for youth of all ages. AIC actively engages the Native American community through programming such as monthly senior lunches, monthly community potlucks and weekly drum practice.

News & Announcements

Upcoming Events

March 20, 2023 in Front Page News, Latest News

American Indian Center Board President Chantay Moore Named National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development “Native American 40 Under 40” Award Recipient

CHICAGO—American Indian Center Board of Directors President Chantay Moore is a recipient of the 2023 National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) “Native American 40 Under 40” award.   The…
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December 5, 2022 in Front Page News, Latest News

American Indian Center of Chicago Receives Three-Year Grant for Indigenous Food Sovereignty Project

CHICAGO—Just in time for Native American Heritage Month, the American Indian Center (AIC) has received a federal grant of over $1 million for its Indigenous food sovereignty project. The grant…
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December 5, 2022 in Career Opportunities, Latest News

Hiring:  Food is Medicine Project Director

POSITION SUMMARY The Food is Medicine Project Director is responsible for managing the Food is Medicine Project to ensure its success. The long-term goal of this project is to achieve…
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Support the AIC

The American Indian Center (AIC) gratefully acknowledges the individuals, organizations, and programs for their generous financial and in kind contributions received in support of the AIC mission to be the primary cultural and community resource for nearly 65,000 American Indians in Chicagoland’s six-county region.

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Membership

Join the AIC Community

Chicago is the third-largest urban Native American population in the country with over one-hundred tribal nations represented. With over 75% of all Native people living off-reservation and in urban settings, the AIC represents this emerging Native population shift, resulting in a diverse multi-tribal community in need of a common social and cultural place of gathering.

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