Office of the City Clerk - Record #: R2013-1066

• Record #: R2013-1066
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• Intro date: 11/13/2013
• Final action: 11/13/2013
• Title: Congratulations extended to American Indian Center of Chicago on 60th anniversary
• Sponsors: Pawar, Ameya

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result
11/13/2013		City Council	Introduced (Agreed Calendar)
11/13/2013	65912	City Council	Adopted	Pass

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On Saturday, September 7, 2013, the American Indian Center of Chicago (AIC) celebrated its 60^th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, the AIC was organized in 1953 by the Chicago Indian community, with assistance from the American Friends Service Committee, in response to the arrival of the first people of this country from reservations throughout North America to Chicago as a result of the Indian Relocation Act; and

WHEREAS, 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, 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.

WHEREAS, AIC has provided a beginning space for many Native American programs in the Chicago area providing services and support for those who found life difficult and challenging in an unfamiliar environment. Changing dramatically over the years, in response to the changing nature and needs of the Chicago Indian community, AIC has introduced many of the academic, health, and social service programs that have become viable, independent agencies in their own right; and

WHEREAS, throughout its history, AIC has been the principal cultural resource for Indian Chicago. The big building at 1630 W. Wilson in the 47^th Ward has been a gathering place for hundreds of natives on a regular basis, since 1966. The Center has hosted powwows, potlucks, bingo, birthdays, special celebrations, wakes, commemorative dinners and countless special events; and

WHEREAS, AIC has been the point of origin for a number of experimental and successful educational programs including: elementary school, high school, Headstart, tutorial, and summer day camp programs many of which have gone on to successful operations independent of AIC; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 13^th Day of November, 2013 AD, do hereby salute the American Indian Center of Chicago for their 60 years of service to the Indian Community in Chicago, and wish them well in all their future endeavors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That suitable copies of the resolution be prepared and presented to American Indian Center of Chicago.

 

 

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