American Indian Center Hosts First Powwow at the Lake, Announces Annual Tradition
CHICAGO — On Thursday, July 25, the American Indian Center hosted its inaugural Powwow at the Lake, drawing over 500 attendees to Foster Beach. Part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out at the Parks series, the event featured traditional Indigenous dances, community engagement, and special tributes to key leaders, all set against the beautiful […]
Beading Class
Discover the artistry of beadworking at the American Indian Center through our engaging weekly classes. Whether you’re a seasoned beadworker or a novice who is eager to learn, our program offers a welcoming environment for all skill levels. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of beadworking as our expert instructors guide you through an array […]
Damien Kardaras
Damien was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1977. He went to several grade schools, including a CPS gifted education program offered at Burbank elementary. Damien went to Loyola Academy for high-school and received a bachelor’s of science from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. After some years of working in his field, he switched gears to help support the family accounting business started by his father. Since 2004, Damien has been and owner and licensed accountant at Alphameric Accounting in Lincolnwood where he and his team serve a wide range of clients with bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation services.
Sarina DiMaso
Sarina Thate Othunwahe (Windy City) DiMaso is a Recovery Relapse Peer Support Prevention Counselor at AIHSC. Sarina is a 52-year-old mother of four and grandmother of one. She is a citizen of the Chiricahua Apache and Taino nations and in 2016 was adopted by Oglala Lakota at Standing Rock, North Dakota and given the spirit […]
Sarina DiMaso
Bio coming soon.
Noelle Garcia
Noelle Garcia currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Art at National Louis University within the undergraduate college. Noelle specializes in writing curriculum in the arts with an emphasis on Native American art history. She has worked in varying roles in arts education and nonprofit organizations for over 20 years. Prior to her current position, Noelle worked at Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education where she specialized in training artists and Chicago Public School teachers on designing collaborative arts integrated curriculum and projects.
Jessica Pamonicutt
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Nataka Moore
Dr. Nataka Moore is of African-American heritage. Dr. Moore is on faulty at Adler University in the Department of Psychology. Dr. Moore is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of clinical and academic experience. Dr. Moore currently sees individuals and couples in her private practice. Dr. Moore, as a human rights activist, has led major social justice based national and international initiatives and has won the 2019 social justice award at Adler University for her work. In Cuba her work centered around racial equity and women’s rights as she co-led a delegation of 19 women through her work with the US women and Cuba Collaboration. Dr. Moore has been recognized by the Women Issues Committee through the National Council of Schools of Professional Psychology and was awarded the 2017 Diversity Award for her commitment to women’s issues and intersectionality. In the Dominican Republic and Liberia, she worked with issues related to human rights and mental health. In October of 2022 through the support of a Department of State grant and an Adler University Seed grant, she worked in Madagascar addressing post-partum depression with rural Malagasy women. Dr. Moore has sat on multiple boards over the years including Heartland Alliance Human Care service. Lastly, Dr. Moore continues to serve BIPOC folx in promoting well-being and addressing mental health needs in the Chicagoland area through health fairs, seminars, workshops, consultation and activism as is her passion.
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 award of $1,006,755 distributed over the next three years comes from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) federal agency through its Social and Economic Development […]
American Indian Center welcomes Mr. Ronnie Preston
The American Indian Center – Chicago is proud to announce the hiring of our Cultural and Education Programs Director! Please help in giving Mr. Ronnie Preston a warm welcome. We look forward to his leadership, knowledge, and teachings for our community. Mr.Preston will be our Emcee for our “Giving Thanks” Powwow Friday, November 19th, at […]
