Community Organizations
Interact with the Native community of Chicago with these resources as a guide.
The Newberry Library
The D’Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies was founded in 1972. Its goals are to encourage the use of the Newberry collections in these areas of study; improve the quality of what is written about American Indians and indigenous peoples; educate teachers about American Indian and indigenous cultures, histories, and literatures; assist American Indian tribal and indigenous historians in their research; and provide a meeting ground where scholars, teachers, tribal historians, and others can discuss their work with each other.
Visit Newberry Library website
American Indian Center of Chicago
The mission of the American Indian Center of Chicago 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.
Visit American Indian Center of Chicago website
The Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative
The members of the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative are dedicated to furthering diverse causes and the greater well-being of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and First Nations people in the Chicago area. We seek to maximize effectiveness by creating a forum for fostering mutual aide, political support, positive public recognition, strategic alliances, collaborations, and partnerships. CAICC will convene organizational leaders and members of the Chicago American Indian community for dialogue, advocacy and planning with the goal of empowering CAICC to better address the issues and needs of the American Indian community.
Visit Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative website
Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum
The Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum (formerly the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian), located in Evanston, Illinois, is one of a handful of museums across the country that focuses exclusively on the histories, cultures, traditions, and arts of Indigenous people from the United States and Canada. Since its founding in 1977, the museum has become a cherished resource and education center committed to promoting a greater understanding of Indigenous peoples and serving as a space to celebrate their diverse cultures, rich histories, and present-day experiences and contributions.
Visit Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum website
American Indian Health Service of Chicago
American Indian Health Service of Chicago, Inc., is dedicated to providing quality culturally competent healthcare to the American Indian and Alaska Native community and other underserved populations. AIHSC’s long term goals are to improve the health and quality of life of the American Indian and Alaska Native community as well as enhance the culturally centered healthcare services offered throughout the State.
Visit American Indian Health Service of Chicago website
American Indian Association of Illinois
The American Indian Association of Illinois provides expert educational programs, extensive academic/social support and financial planning for students and families to access and be successful.
For American Indian people, AIAI programs provide a culturally based foundation of education grounded in tribal knowledge.