Native American Educational Services. Chicago Community Agencies. Records, 1892-2001

  • IdentificationICU.SPCL.NAESCCA
  • TitleGuide to the Native American Educational Services Chicago Community Agencies Records1892-2001
  • PublisherUniversity of Chicago Library
  • LanguageEnglish
  • Date1892-2001
  • Physical Description3 linear feet (5 boxes)
  • RepositorySpecial Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.
  • AbstractThis collection consists of materials from organizations in the Chicago area that somehow relate to American Indian life. There are, in particular, a lot of materials about the O-Wai-Ya-Wa school, the St. Augustine's center, sports mascots, holidays and conferences. The collection forms part of the archives of Native American Educational Services.

© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library

Native American Studies

Chicago and Illinois

Sociology and Social Welfare

The collection is open for research.

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Native American Educational Services. Chicago Community Agencies. Records, [Box #, Folder #], 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.

This collection contains copies of numerous historical documents related to the organizations, foundations, societies, drop-in centers, festivals, events, and protests associated with the Native American population in Chicago from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twenty-first. The fliers, publications, and articles connected to this history are accompanied by articles documenting their legal, social, economic, and cultural context over the course of the twentieth century. There are six series in this collection.

Series I: Native American Community and Resource Centers in Chicago contains documents related to two Native American Community and Resource Centers in Chicago from the 1970s and 1980s.

Series II: World’s Fair, Festivals, and Holidays in Chicago contains the publications, articles, fliers, and correspondence related to various festivals, holidays, and events in Chicago. Many, including those related to the Chicago World’s Fair, are copies of historical documents.

Series III: Chicago Native American Agencies, Foundations, and Events is the largest series and contains various brochures, articles, and correspondence related to a variety of Native American Foundations and Agencies in Chicago, as well as the events organized by these institutions throughout the twentieth century.

Series IV: Urban Native American Social Issues contains publications and fliers related to social issues in Chicago including education, alcoholism, and gaming.

Series V: Native American Legal Issues contains copies of historical documents related to land claims and treaties in the Chicago area, including some presidential correspondence.

Series VI: Individuals contains folders, as they were found in the collection, related to a different individuals connected to Chicago Community Organizations.

The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:

  • NamesNAES College
  • Subject
    • Indians of North America
    • Indians of North America -- Education (Higher)
    • Indian universities and colleges -- United States