MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis American Indian Center at 1530 E. Franklin
Avenue has been the heart of urban Indian country for the past three
decades. And its vision for the next 10 years is to continue as “a focal
point for American Indian values, cultures and programs.”

Fully half of the Indian people in Minnesota reside in the Minneapolis/St.
Paul Twin Cities metro area.

According to the MAIC Web site, the center “symbolizes the dreams of people
of hundreds of Indian nations who, for reasons as varied as themselves,
left their reservations to come here and pursue a new life. The center is a
symbol of these dreams, but even more so of the deep ties that our people
have to their culture and traditions. It is a tiny refuge in a big sea of
people.”

The values guiding the center include celebrating Indian history and
culture, respecting elders’ wisdom, following traditional spiritual
principles, respecting differences and working to do what is right.

The center has an art gallery and offers programs on chemical dependency,
youth, wellness and healthy lifestyles, child welfare, employment and
training, and senior citizens.

The Twin Cities’ American Indian community suffers disproportionately from
chemical dependency, according to MAIC literature, noting that “building
strong cultural identities is one of the key protective factors” for
Indians.

The center hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and its chemical dependency
program includes referrals to culturally appropriate programs, education,
sober activities, support groups and a cooperative food purchasing program.

The Ginew/Golden Eagles youth program helps “American Indian youth
strengthen and develop skills which will give them the knowledge to make
life choices.” The center offers cultural activities to help their
self-esteem, education to improve academic skills, and physical fitness and
health education.

The Healthy Nations program promotes wellness and healthy lifestyles for
youth, and develops their leadership potential. It does this through
mentorship, strengthening families and other means, with the goal of
instilling a feeling of belonging, and capacity building for, youth.

The Child Welfare program “provides services that are essential and
appropriate to meet the needs of Indian families experiencing difficulties
within the social welfare system.”

The U.S. Department of Labor, Division of Indians and Native American
Program’s, has designated the center an American Indian employment and
training grantee. Through its Workforce Investment Act program, MAIC has
“the responsibility of administering employment and training services to
the unemployed, underemployed and economically disadvantaged American
Indian population” in its designated area.

MAIC’s seniors program aims to “improve the overall living conditions of
senior citizens living in Minneapolis.” This includes transportation,
prescriptions, grocery shopping, advocacy and referral services for anyone
55 or older.

Legal assistance, help with income taxes, social opportunities and other
services are also listed.

The art facility, also at 1530 E. Franklin, is called Two Rivers Gallery
and is dedicated to shows by Native artists that will “not only deepen the
mind but fill the soul as well.”

There are also services for the disabled at the center. Counseling,
training, finding and keeping a job, and assistive technology are all a
part of the center’s Rehabilitation Services Branch.