Established in 2006, the mission of the American Indian Center (AIC) is to bridge the richness of American Indian cultures with the strengths of Carolina in research, education, and service. The AIC is a pan-university public service unit designed to advance the University’s mission through three primary goals:
- Leadership in American Indian Scholarship and Research. By creating an environment in which quality research and scholarship related to American Indians is strengthened and nurtured, the University can become the premier university for American Indian research and knowledge dissemination.
- Engagement with and Service to Native Populations. By serving as the University’s front door to American Indian communities, the AIC enables Carolina, as the University of the People, to truly serve the First Peoples of North Carolina as well as Indigenous peoples of the south and the east.
- Enrichment of Campus Diversity and Dialogue. By facilitating the inclusion of American Indian peoples, with their unique and rich cultures, traditions, beliefs, and histories, the learning environment of the entire Carolina community is enriched.
We accomplish these goals through four areas of engagement:
This past November through Give2AIC, we launched our 10-year campaign to reach $1.0 million in the AIC’s endowment. We exceeded our goal of $10,000 and look forward to building off that momentum. By making a gift on GiveUNC, you can help us raise a well-funded endowment that supports the longevity of the Center and creates a stable income source that allows us to continue engaging our community members across and beyond campus well into the future.
Featured Initiatives
Campus Community Engagement: Elder in Residence
Through class visits, “office hours,” and public presentations, our Elder in Residence helps students and faculty appreciate knowledge and instruction beyond traditional classroom approaches.
Student Engagement: University Network of Native Leaders
UNNL offers student leaders from across the state a forum to exchange ideas, share resources, and prepare to serve as the next generation of community leaders.
Native Community Engagement: Healthy Native North Carolinians
We provide direct support to self-determined action plans to enhance health and wellness within North Carolina’s tribes and urban Indian organizations.
Scholarly Engagement: Michael D. Green Lecture in American Indian Studies
This lecture series recognizes the contributions of Dr. Michael D. Green to the field of American Indian Studies by inviting a leading scholar in the field to give a public talk.
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