Chicago, IL - The Chicago Center, known for its off-campus study program, is taking proactive steps to ensure its curriculum is inclusive of Chicago’s diverse communities and added experiences that focus on indigenous communities to its program. Through a commitment to inclusivity and representation, the Chicago Center provides college students with a comprehensive understanding of Chicago's diverse tapestry while honoring the historical and contemporary significance of indigenous communities.
The Chicago Center has long been committed to offering a comprehensive cultural education to college students. By employing cultural intelligence, community-based, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lenses, the program seeks to create a transformative learning experience. After a review of the orientation week program and Cultures and Communities seminar, it became evident that indigenous communities were missing from the curriculum.
Indigenous communities hold significant historical and contemporary importance in Chicago. These communities have deep connections to the land and have played a vital role in shaping the city's cultural heritage. By acknowledging their contributions, the Chicago Center seeks to foster an environment that honors and respects the indigenous peoples' land and heritage. It is crucial to provide a platform for their voices to be heard and their stories to be shared.
In response to this realization, the Chicago Center has forged a partnership with the American Indian Center (AIC), which is an organization that strives to foster unity and understanding among Native people from various Tribes residing in metropolitan Chicago, while also promoting their economic advancement, cultural preservation, and communication with non-Natives in the city. The goal of this partnership includes incorporating indigenous perspectives, history, and cultural experiences into the Chicago Center’s program. By integrating indigenous communities, the Chicago Center aims to create an enriched learning experience for students and promote a deeper understanding of the cultural diversity in Chicago.