American Indian Institute
New Headquarters Facility
Completed

Summary
Renovation of the new American Indian Institute headquarters facility is finally complete.  

In December 2008 the Institute initiated a two-year, $500,000 Capital Campaign to acquire and make necessary renovations to a  turn-of-the-century facility in Bozeman, Montana.  That Campaign came to a successful close in December 2010, and renovations and upgrades to the building began in March 2011.  Archer Construction of Bozeman was the general contractor for the project.

The trustees, staff, and advisory council members of the American Indian Institute are excited about the new facility, located one block off Main Street, near the center of town - an ideal location for the headquarters of a national non-profit organization

This acquisition ushers in a new era for the Institute. It has long been a priority to address this most basic necessity for permanence and long-term perspective.

About the American Indian Institute
Founded in 1972 the Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Montana corporation. Its mission is to perpetuate the ancient wisdoms and cultural heritages of North America’s Native peoples, and to promote among all people an understanding of the contemporary relevance of that wisdom.

The Institute achieves its mission by serving as the administrative agency and support source for the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth, a grassroots group consisting of the respected traditional leaders and Elders of Native American communities from throughout North America.

Together these “Two Circles” achieve their mission through annual Council gatherings of traditional Native peoples, healing programs within Indian communities, interaction between Indian Elders and Indian youth, and efforts to educate non-Indians about the wisdom and harmony inherent in the traditional indigenous worldview.

New Headquarters Building
The vision for the future of the American Indian Institute has always included a permanent headquarters.  Efforts to acquire such were launched in the 1970s and 1980s, but in all cases the timing and circumstances were not right.  Now, nearly 40 years after the Institute's founding, that vision is a reality.  Generous donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations from across the country have made it possible for the Institute to occupy a very special, ideally located, property in Bozeman to serve as the first-ever Institute Headquarters.

The permanent headquarters building adds an important dimension to the Institute's credibility and productivity.  Credibility will derive from having an appropriate place to receive visitors; to host gatherings of Indian and non-Indians friends.  Productivity will derive from the ability to consolidate materials and equipment for increased administrative efficiency.

Equally as important, the location serves as a physical common-place for grassroots traditional leaders from throughout Indian country.  The new location serves as the visible nerve center of Two Circle cooperation and will is a repository for books, writings, transcripts, film, photos, and memorabilia from the movement.

The new headquarters building gives tangible evidence to the Institute’s commitment to its mission of reconciliation and restitution for the traditional indigenous peoples of North America.