American Indian Student Center

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.