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.

Our Mission

Our History

Our Programs

Learn More

We provide cultural, social and educational services, programming and support to Chicagoland's large and diverse Native community

The American Indian Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps urban Natives connect with their culture. Established in 1953, the American Indian Center is one of the oldest urban Native centers in the country. Created out of love for community, the center’s founders sought to help Natives who moved to Chicago through the U.S. government’s relocation program. Today, the American Indian Center continues its mission by supporting Natives throughout the Chicagoland area.