Mid-America All-Indian Center

Mid-America All-Indian Center is a cultural center and museum located in Wichita, Kansas, dedicated to preserving and presenting the cultures, histories, and contemporary lives of American Indian peoples. Founded in 1976, the institution serves as a vital community hub and educational resource, focusing on the diverse Plains Indian nations with historical ties to the region. Its campus is most famously anchored by the iconic Keeper of the Plains sculpture, a symbol of the city and a sacred site for many Indigenous communities.

History

The center was established through the efforts of the American Indian Center of Mid-America, a local organization founded in the early 1970s by community leaders including Mona H. (Polly) Frazier, a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. Its creation was part of a broader movement during the American Indian Movement era to assert cultural sovereignty and provide urban Indigenous populations with a dedicated gathering space. The facility opened in 1976 on land near the confluence of the Arkansas River and Little Arkansas River, a site of historical significance to the Wichita people and other tribes. Initial development and exhibits were supported by partnerships with the City of Wichita and federal programs like the Economic Development Administration.

Collections and exhibits

The museum's permanent collection encompasses over 3,000 artifacts, with significant holdings from the Southern Plains region. Key collections include the Blackbear Bosin art collection, featuring works by the renowned Kiowa-Comanche artist, and the Richard L. (Dick) West Sr. collection of Southern Cheyenne ledger art and paintings. Exhibits explore themes such as traditional lifeways, Beadwork and quillwork, warfare and horse culture, and the impacts of federal policies like the Dawes Act and Indian termination policy. The center also hosts rotating contemporary art shows featuring artists from tribes like the Pawnee, Osage, and Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

Keeper of the Plains

The center's grounds are the permanent home of the Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot-tall Cor-Ten steel sculpture created by Blackbear Bosin in 1974. The statue depicts a Plains Indian figure with arms raised and stands at the confluence of the two rivers on a dedicated plaza. In 2006, the City of Wichita completed a major renovation of the area, adding the "Ring of Fire" flame pots that are lit nightly, a pedestrian bridge, and educational plaques detailing the history of local tribes including the Wichita people, Kansa, and Pawnee. The site is a focal point for ceremonies, including during the annual Wichita River Festival.

Programs and events

The center organizes a wide array of public programs, most notably the annual Wichita Indian Market each September, which draws artists and dancers from numerous nations like the Navajo, Hopi, and Seminole. Educational offerings include workshops on traditional arts such as moccasin making, parfleche painting, and drum construction. It hosts regular lecture series on topics ranging from Indian removal and the Trail of Tears to contemporary issues of tribal governance and Native American civil rights. The facility is also a venue for powwows, including the annual Mid-America All-Indian Center Powwow, and community gatherings for events like Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Governance and funding

The center operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a board of directors, which has historically included representatives from regional tribes such as the Iowa Tribe and Prairie Band Potawatomi. Primary funding sources include membership dues, admissions, gift shop revenue, and grants from entities like the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The center maintains a partnership with the City of Wichita for the maintenance of the Keeper of the Plains plaza and related infrastructure.

Category:Museums in Kansas Category:Native American museums in Kansas Category:Buildings and structures in Wichita, Kansas Category:1976 establishments in Kansas