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Land and Housing
American Indian Cultural and Economic Corridor
Franklin Avenue in South Minneapolis plays a central role in modern American Indian urban history. Since the days of federal relocation, Franklin Avenue strikes a unique chord among many American Indian people both locally and nationally. Once a hotbed for American Indian civil rights, citizen action, and social activity, the Avenue is now home to American Indian residents, businesses, tribal offices, and non-profit organizations. It is from this base the urban American Indian community is articulating a new vision for Franklin Avenue.
Imagine!! Franklin Avenue as a vibrant destination linked to the Light Rail Transit- an urban American Indian Cultural Corridor - that celebrates American Indian identity and stimulates economic opportunity. In this Cultural Corridor, American Indian people, community residents, and regional visitors come together to experience and engage with American Indian cultures in public gathering spaces, arts, Indian-owned businesses, restaurants, and interactive learning environments.
NACDI is working to develop and promote the American Indian Cultural Corridor as a regional asset and destination. We are working to align resources and catalyze projects to develop the first urban American Indian destination corridor in the country.
Visit the Interactive American Indian Cultural Corridor Website!
American Indian OIC Predevelopment Agreement
The AIOIC, located at 1845 East Franklin, adjacent to the Hiawatha Light Rail, is critical to the development of an American Indian Cultural and Economic Corridor. NACDI and AIOIC, under a recent agreement, have begun a predevelopment process. This will include title and survey work, geotechnical analysis, environmental assessment, and architectural concepts. The AIOIC will be the East gateway of the American Indian Cultural and Economic Corridor. AIOIC Aerial Site Map
Regional American Indian Cultural Center
Minneapolis boasts one of the most thriving museum communities in the country, with more than 57 museums in the Minneapolis area -- many of which rank nationally in their categories. This is great, but of course, none are dedicated to telling the stories and history of this region's American Indians.
The Minneapolis area is ready for a state-of-the-art American Indian Cultural Center that is dedicated to American Indian langauge, arts, history, music, peformance, research, education, story telling, and the list goes on.
NACDI has organized a committee to explore the creation of a Regional American Indian Cultural Center-- a place where American Indian stories and cultural life-ways will be shared for generations.
MCTC A.S. in Community Development
In the spring of 2010 Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) will begin offering an A.S. Degree in Community Development. NACDI developed this program in partnership with MCTC and will be teaching the core coursework. The degree intersects community development, community organizing, and indigenous cultures.
For more information on the program click here.
