​

The story of the American Indian Institute is the story of the long, patient

endeavors required to build trust and understanding among groups with vastly diverse

interests and world views. It's story, of more than half a century and through generations, 

represents just a moment in the fullness of ancient history of which it is a part. 

 

But our ongoing story has been a successful one. 

 

Creating a Two-Circles Structure

In August 1977 at the Headwaters of the Missouri River, the Absaalooke (Crow)

Nation hosted a gathering of approximately 35 Indian spiritual leaders. They

had traveled to the gathering from the four directions. They worked together

to forge the Two-Circles relationship between the Traditional Circle of Indian

Elders and Youth and the American Indian Institute.

The circles were linked by deliberation, with mutual respect and responsibility.

The Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth became composed of grassroots

spiritual leaders from Indian nations throughout North America. Structured in

the ancestral way, this circle opened to all traditional Indian people as

a living repository of indigenous wisdom and values. Its focus perpetuated

traditional cultural and spiritual values.

Circles discuss indigenous issues in terms of traditional values, through consensus.

The American Indian Institute helps find ways to implement possible

solutions for circle problems. In all cases, the Institute seeks to provide

financial and administrative support requested by circles.

 

​

 

Headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, it is a small organization with a worldwide mission:

 

The survival of indigenous heritages and support of traditional knowledge through which survival will be achieved.

​

Accomplishments of the Two Circles Working Together

​

Each year since the Missouri Headwaters meeting in 1977, an International Council of traditional Indian spiritual leaders has taken place. Each was hosted by an Indian Nation in a location of its choosing. Click here for a list of councils and locations.
   
With the guidance of the Traditional Circle, the Institute established a unique intergenerational program, Healing the Future, for Indian youth and families. The program combines traditional healing and ceremonial experiences with intervention and counseling activities to build on the strengths of Native communities to care for one another and the Earth. Today the youth and family program continues under our Traditional Youth Leadership Initiative.

 

With the support of the Institute, representatives of the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth sent a delegation to the Fourth World Wilderness Conference in Denver, CO in 1987.

Since 1986 the Institute has served as the fiscal agent for the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse team.

To increase intercultural awareness and appreciation, the Institute helped organize a tour of Japan in 1988 and 1989 with a festival of Native North American arts, including Indian dance and visual arts.

The Institute helped organize and fund a delegation of indigenous people of North America to attend a Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders in London, Moscow and Kyoto in 1990.

In 1992 a Circle delegation participated in the international Environmental Summit held in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1993 another indigenous delegation went to the Global Forum held in Kyoto, Japan.

In 2002 a delegation of non-Indian friends and supporters of the American Indian Institute were invited to sit in Council during the final day of the Elders & Youth Council held on the Turner Ranch near the Spanish Peaks of Montana.

In 2006, the Traditional Circle and Institute held their first join program - the Ancient Voices-Contemporary Contexts Forum on the shores of Bemidji Lake, Minnesota.  Other Forums have been held in 2007 (Haid Gwaii, B.C), 2008 (Flathead Reservation, Montana), 2010 (Navajo), 2011 (Kanatiohareke Mohawk Community, Upstate New York), 2013 (Ghost Ranch near Abiqui, New Mexico, and 2015 at the Six Nations Grand River Reserve in Ontario, Canada around the theme of renewing the Silver Chain Covenant.

​

Looking forward

After a period of restructuring and development, the Institute was faced with a Global Pandemic. To renew itself, the Institute is working to strengthen it's relationships with partner organizations and form new connections. 

​

Please see our Programs page for information on upcoming events and circles. 

For interest in partnering, please Contact Us