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About Us

AMERICAN INDIAN OIC

We are dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through education, career development, and supportive programs. Every day, we create opportunities, break down barriers, and help people discover their full potential. We believe in strength, resilience, and the power of community — together, we can build brighter futures for all.

Mission

The mission of American Indian OIC is to empower individuals who wish to pursue career opportunities, providing individualized education, training, and human services in a culturally rich environment.

Vision

The mission of American Indian OIC is to empower individuals who wish to pursue career opportunities, providing individualized education, training, and human services in a culturally rich environment.

Our Values

American Indian OIC core values

Our mission is to empower individuals pursuing career opportunities by providing personalized education, training, and human services in a culturally rich environment.

Empowerment

We believe in empowering every individual to reach their full potential through education, skills development, and guidance.

Inclusivity

We welcome and serve people from all backgrounds, fostering a respectful and supportive environment for everyone.

Community

We are committed to building strong, connected communities through collaboration, support, and shared growth.

Integrity

We operate with honesty, accountability, and transparency in all our programs, partnerships, and interactions.

Our History

Our Journey Through the Years

American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (AIOIC) was founded in 1979 to address the education and employment disparities faced by American Indians in and around south Minneapolis. The organization was created by the American Indian Movement, founded 11 years earlier to address systemic issues of poverty and police brutality against Native Americans in Minneapolis and beyond. The nation’s first Opportunities Industrialization Center was established in an abandoned jailhouse in north Philadelphia in 1964 by Dr. Leon Sullivan, Today, it is a national network of 31 OIC affiliates (including AIOIC) in 19 states. In the years since its founding, AIOIC has built a workforce of more than 25,000 people from the Twin-Cities and tribal nations across the country, gaining national recognition as a leader in workforce development.

1979

AIOIC is founded and begins operations with an emphasis on employment services and employment placement (what is now known as the Takoda Works department)

1983

AIOIC’s Post-Secondary School (now referred to as Takoda Institute of Higher Education) starts career training offerings

1988

AIOIC’s Adult Basic Education / GED Program is officially approved by the Minnesota Department of Education and begins offering ABE/GED classes

2011

AIOIC implements a new slate of IT trainings via a US DOL Grant (known as “High Demand Careers”)

February 2018

AIOIC implements new employment services targeting “returning citizens” who have been justice involved (i.e.: re-entry services) via a sizeable US DOL grant. These services are still ongoing to this day.

January 2022
AIOIC founder and long-time Board member Nee-gon-we-way-we-dun (“The Thunder Before The Storm”, English name of Clyde Bellecourt) passes.

Although created to support people of Native descent, American Indian OIC’s resources and programs are available to all people regardless of race, creed, age, gender or sexual orientation.

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