© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library
© 2009 University of Chicago Library
The collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Native American Educational Services. American Indian Chicago Conference. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Established in Chicago in 1974, NAES College (Native American Educational Service) aimed to improve the leadership of Native communities and to ensure that tribal knowledge, traditions and values play a major role in the higher education of Native students. Before closing its doors in 2007, NAES College offered a single degree, a Bachelor's of Arts in General Studies with an emphasis in Public Policy, and tribal knowledge, community service, community development and leadership.
The American Indian Chicago Conference wash held in 1961. Most of the 460 conference participants were indigenous and they used the congress to address their common concerns. The conference was organized by Native American people with the sponsorship of the University of Chicago, Professor of Anthropology Sol Tax, and the National Congress of American Indians. The conference occurred at a time when federal policy regarding the termination of tribal trust status seriously threatened the recognition of tribes by the federal government. The conference provided support for the development of new inter-tribal organizations that helped to write the Declaration of Indian Purpose which was present to President John F. Kennedy and has helped to inform the federal government of the Native American view point regarding policy.
This collection contains papers created by and for the American Indian Chicago Conference in 1961.