American Indian Center
1630 W. Wilson, Chicago
(773) 275-5871

The American Indian Center of Chicago was organized in 1953 by the Chicago Indian community, with an important assist from the American Friends Service Committee, in response to a flood of the first people of this country from reservations throughout North America. The Indian Relocation Act of the '50s, operated in concert with a policy of selective termination of tribal status, was a concerted attempt to break up the reservation system. Chicago was the only one of the five original relocation cities without a large in-state reservation. As a result, Native people from tribes throughout the country, arrived in Chicago. In addition to the Oneida, Ojibwa, Menominee, Sac and Fox, and Potawatomi of the north woods, Lakota, Navajo, Blackfoot, Papago, and many others were represented. The result was (and is) a multi-tribal community (including members of more than 50 tribes) searching for a common social and cultural ground.

From the beginning, AIC has been a brave experiment in community self-determination. Managed by a Board of Directors comprised of Native Americans elected from out of the Chicago Indian community, the Center has steadfastly refused to distinguish between the service population and the agency managers. Policy is set and administered by the people who receive AIC services.

Throughout its history, AIC has been the principal cultural resource for Indian Chicago. The big building at 1630 W. Wilson (its location since 1966) has been a gathering place for hundreds of natives on a regular basis. The Center has hosted powwows, potlucks, bingo, birthdays, special celebrations, wakes and commemorative dinners, and countless special events. When Chicago's Indians need to get together, this is where they come. In a similar vein, AIC has been the point of origin for a number of experimental and successful educational programs. We have seen elementary school, high school, headstart, tutorial, and summer day camp programs take root and flourish here; many of them have gone on to successful independent operation out of our building. We have been the site of gift shops, art galleries, and theaters.

Directions:

Crossroads are Ashland and Wilson on the North side of Chicago in the Uptown/Ravenswood area.

Get yourself onto 90/94 going north from the Loop, or if its easier, get going on N. Lakeshore Drive. Then just head north and take the Wilson exit. If you're turning off 90/94, go east toward the lake. If you're on Lakeshore Drive, you have to go west (or drive into the Lake). Have fun!