EDUCATION:
In 2005 the AIC reorganized all the programs into 4 main areas: Education, Wellness, Arts, and Direction. The Education focuses on educating the larger Chicago community about American Indian culture as well as educating our own community about anything from technology to culture. Community organizations can take many forms and the AIC believes providing educational opportunities will increase understanding between the Native community and the larger community. The AIC Education programs include the following: Positive Paths, Computer classes, School Tour program, and the Teacher Training program.
Positive Paths
Positive Paths, a free after-school tutor/mentor program reaches out to American Indian students, K-12, in the Chicago-land area. The program runs four days a week during those critical after-school hours. An eight-week summer program is also offered.
Program Highlights:
- Positive Paths collaborated with Kumbaa Lynx, a Chicago-based performing arts organization, to launch its very own poetry slam team- Native Lynx. Participants demonstrated their lyrical skills in the citywide Louder Than a Bomb competition. In March 2005, Native Lynx took 8th place in this all-city competition.
- Positive Paths staff completed the Advancing Youth Development training program sponsored by the Chicago Area Project and Chicago Youth Services.
- From February to June, participants worked with community to make their own dance regalia. The Enter the Circle program culminated at the AIC Graduation Powwow where participants were honored and entered the powwow circle.
- Participants enjoyed the summer months by visiting Magic Waters, Lincoln Park Zoo, the beach and the movies.
- Average monthly enrollment was 35 students.
Computer Classes
In 2001, the AIC had only one computer but the AIC has joined the 21st century and aims to further technological resources for the organization and community. The AIC is truly “online” with extensive resources and links on its website as well as a weekly email list to further connect the Native community. A free computer lab is available for use and free computer classes are offered weekly.
School Tours
The School Tour program presents and disseminates first-voice information to Chicago students and educators. During the tour, the AIC staff leads a hands-on arts activity and cultural presentation of contemporary Native American practices, traditions and regalia with a focus on dispelling stereotypes and raising awareness about “who we are today”. To date the School Tour program has reached over 12,000 students and 3,000 educators from Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The cultural presentation portion of the program is also provided to the general public as a Cultural Tour and a site on the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Neighborhood Tours.
Program Highlights:
- 29 schools visited the AIC between July 2004 and June 2005.
- 312 students participated in cultural programming at the AIC.
- 246 teachers and parents were a part of the program.
Teacher Training
In FY 2003, the AIC presented four teacher trainings titled “Developing Curriculum about American Indians: Bringing it Back to the Classroom”. Teacher Trainings assist teachers in the development of a lesson plan enabling them to present First-Voice based materials in their classrooms. Trainings comprise several main components including a cultural presentation and demonstration where teachers learn about Native American songs and styles of dance, Native American food, community history and resources in Chicago, and all workshops address the unique needs of the Native American children in CPS. Additionally, in September 2002 the Illinois State Board of Education approved the AIC as an institution to offer Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) for its teacher trainings.