American Indian Resource Center
Contact
American Indian Resource Center
Phone:
(218) 755-2032
Fax: (218) 755-2138
Mailing Address:
1500 Birchmont Dr. NE #21
Bemidji, MN 56601-2907
American Indian Resource Center :: Anishinaabe-gikendaasowigamig
About the American Indian Resource Center
Anishinaabe-gikendaasowigamig Gekenjigaadeg
Our Mission
The American Indian Resource Center at Bemidji State University assists American Indian students to succeed academically, culturally and socially while attaining a first rate higher education.The American Indian Resource Center will serve as a state, regional and national resource center for communities, faculty, staff, students and tribal governments on issues which relate to American Indian people.
Our Facility
Adjacent to historic Diamond Point Park and BSU’s legendary lakeside football stadium, the American Indian Resource Center opened its doors in 2003. The 10,000 square foot facility includes offices, classrooms, a student computer lab, student lounge kitchen, reception areas, conference rooms, and the Great Gathering Room, which provides seating for up to 120 guests and features state-of the- art "smart" technology. The AIRC also provides office space to Indian Studies and Ojibwe language faculty, and is “home away from home” for Bemidji State University's American Indian students, faculty, and staff..
Our Students
BSU has awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees to more than 500 American Indian students. During the 2008-2009 school year, BSU had more than 150 American Indian students who were majoring in a variety of fields including teacher education, business, environmental science, Indian studies, criminal justice, accounting, and social work. BSU is home to American Indian students from throughout Minnesota and its neighboring states, as well as from New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Canada.
Our Services
The AIRC is the hub for the campus's American Indian students, faculty and staff, providing clerical services and office space to most of BSU's American Indian faculty and staff, as well as space and support services to the American Indian students on campus.
The AIRC offers a wide range of academic, social and cultural activities for faculty, staff and students on campus as well as for the general population and organizations off campus. We also provide space for the Anishinaabeg Language Table, a Veterans Group, and a host of off-campus activities and conferences.
Our Location and Our Role in the Region
The AIRC offers academic programming for American Indian reservations and American Indian organizations throughout Minnesota. Because Bemidji State University is located between the three largest American Indian reservations in the State of Minnesota (Leech Lake is 15 miles south, Red Lake is 30 miles north, and White Earth is 50 miles west of Bemidji), we have access to a large number of fluent speakers, spiritual leaders, Indian educators, and cultural offerings that are all within a reasonable distance to the university.