Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative

The Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative (CAICC) is a network-based organization dedicated to advancing the well-being of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and First Nations people across the Chicago, IL area. Since its founding in 2012, CAICC has brought together seventeen Native American organizations and programs to collectively address critical community needs through coordinated advocacy, strategic planning, and collaborative action. The organization operates through specialized committees focused on education, arts and culture, and political action, enabling comprehensive support across multiple dimensions of community life. CAICC's education initiatives work to establish inter-tribal urban systems that increase academic and career success for Native students. The arts and culture committee nurtures creative and economic development by gathering resources, sharing information, and publicizing cultural events throughout Chicago. Through its political action and advocacy efforts, CAICC champions legislative reform and policy changes that protect Native American rights, including recent successes with HB1633 on Native American curriculum, SB1446 addressing school dress code discrimination, and HB3413 on human remains protection. The organization convenes organizational leaders and community members for dialogue, strategic planning, and coordinated advocacy to address systemic issues affecting Native communities in the Chicago metropolitan area. CAICC operates under principles of racial equity and maintains a steering committee consisting of delegates from all member organizations. The collaborative approach has fostered increased inter-organizational cooperation, enhanced resource sharing, and strengthened mutual support among Chicago's Native American service providers and community groups.