American Indian Student Center staff and Electa Quinney Institute staff at the annual Indigenous felt knowledge festival

Boozhoo / Bozho / Pōsōh / Aho / Shekóli / Koonamansi

Greetings in the languages of Ojibwe / Potawatomi / Menominee / Ho-Chunk / Oneida / Mohican – All the nations of Wisconsin!

The American Indian Student Center provides you a circle of support, connecting you not only with on-campus resources but also local opportunities. (AISC) is a welcoming space dedicated to supporting all students in their academic, personal, and professional growth. While our center was founded with a mission to uplift and empower Native students, we proudly serve individuals from all backgrounds. We offer resources, programs, and community connections designed to foster success and belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.

Our History

In 1969, Milwaukee was home to one-third of Wisconsin’s native population, however only ten native students were enrolled at UW- Milwaukee . The American Indian Student Center has its foundation in the work of student leaders John Gauthier (Menominee) and James LaGoo (Bad River Ojibwe) to create the American Indian Student Union, later renamed Native American Student Movement (NASM). Their efforts would address tribal community concerns such as poverty, distrust in educational institutions and sustaining Indigenous culture.  

Alongside other growing communities at UWM, the Native American Student Movement, first directed by Waldo “Buck” Martin (Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican),was assigned a physical space on campus in 1970.  

Impact

Waldo “Buck” Martin became the coordinator and only staff member of the UW- Milwaukee’s Native American Studies Program (NASP). The program was born from years of collaborative efforts between Martin recruiting historians, anthropologists and graduate students to create three courses: Red Power & Contemporary Indian Issues, Native American Worldviews, and Native American Music. The NASP would not have been possible without the advocacy and leadership of students who organized to fundraise and call from support in Washington, DC and Madison. By 1972, the Indigenous population at UW- Milwaukee had jumped from ten to 60 students and over 100 students enrolled in the Native American Studies Program.  

UWM established the American Indian Student Services in 1979 to support Indigenous students throughout their academic journey.  

In 2019, the American Indian Student Services was changed to American Indian Student Center. AISC continues to engage with the larger Indigenous community and guide students on campus. It partners with the Electa Quinney Institute to offer a wide range of programs. 

Indigenous community members gather around UWM fire circle
Marquis Johnson: Using UWM experience to be a positive role model
Marquis Johnson: Using UWM experience to be a positive role model

Community Connections

AISC is connected and active in the Native community in a number of ways. We volunteer and work with educational organizations and the higher educational offices of the sovereign Tribal Nations of Wisconsin. Visit the links below for more information.

Resources

We are here for our students from application to graduation. We offer support in the following areas:

  • Recruitment and pre-college advising
  • Academic success coaching and personal mentoring/ coaching.

While we hope you will join us here at UW-Milwaukee, but if you do not, we hope you find this information published by the American Indian College Fund useful on your educational journey. 

Dancers at the indigenous felt knowledge festival