Native American Educational Services-NAES College

02/27/2026

The NAES College Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the enduring legacy of Native-led higher education established through Native American Educational Services College. Founded in 1974, in Chicago,as the nation’s only private, urban-based Native college, NAES served urban and reservation communities from 1974–1984 as an affiliate of Antioch University, from 1984–2005 as an independently accredited institution, and from 2005–2015 as an affiliate of Eastern Illinois University. Today, NAES continues its mission as a library, archive, and Native higher education support hub for Native students in Illinois. Through this scholarship, we proudly encourage and celebrate the academic achievements of Native college students and invite them to apply for support. Donations to the fund are always welcome as we invest in the next generation of Native scholars. For application or donation information, please contact [email protected].
Look back at some of the history of NAES College at https://www.naescollege.com/

11/27/2025

09/26/2025

Who remembers the Chicago American Indian Community Organizations Conference of 1980? This was the program founded by NAES College that later was re-created by Louis Delgado as today's Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative in 2012. Our mentors challenged us to have a larger, more comprehensive vision for our community.

09/26/2025

Take a look at the new NAES College website. If you were involved with NAES, check to see if your name is on the website and if your information is correct. We are trying to build a data base of all of the graduates, employees, faculty, board, etc. If you would like your name added, just give us the dates you were involved and what you were involved in. The legacy of NAES is important and you were part of that legacy!

Opening its doors in 1974 in Chicago, Native American Educational Services (NAES) College was the first urban American Indian institution of its kind, a college run by and serving a Native population in a major US city. Over the years, NAES College expanded to satellite campuses in urban areas and

08/17/2025

It's official, we'll see you in August!

07/24/2025

Would you like to join this conversation with AIAI and NAES? If you are an urban Native leader and would like to be interviewed regarding urban Native issues, please message me.

06/05/2025

We offer heartfelt condolences and prayers of strength for the Roy Family during this difficult time. As with great sorrow we share the news of a community member, Mike Roy who started his journey to the spirit world on Wednesday June 4, 2025. He had dedicated so many years of volunteer at the St. Kateri Center helping to keep our center clean and welcoming for all. He was also a fluent Ojibway speaker and a person with a huge heart for the Native Community here in Chicago. Mike will be deeply missed as he touched the lives of so many people.

The family will host a celebration of life
Friday June 6, 2025
5:00pm to 9:00pm
Mieszner Funeral Home
Prayer Service @ 7:30pm
5620 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60634

02/10/2025

BENJAMIN BEARSKIN SR.'S DIVISION STREET STORY WILL AIR ON WBEZ ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY, 17,2025
In my life, I have met many brilliant American Indian people. When I was young, we were surrounded by them, here in Chicago. They taught us so much. Mr. Benjamin Bearskin Sr., Winnebago/Dakota, was one of them. A special podcast will be presented on WBEZ, telling a very small part of his story which began as an interview with Studs Terkel.Thank you Mary Schmich for including me in helping tell Ben's incredible story. We are all honored to have
known Ben and his entire family.
A new podcast series “Division Street: Revisited” dives deeper into the stories of people interviewed by legendary Chicago radio host and writer Studs Terkel almost 60 years ago. Former Chicago Tribune Business Columnist, Melissa Harris, and Pulitzer-Prize winning Columnist, Mary Schmich, stopped by to talk about creating their creation of the new podcast. You can listen to “Division Street: Revisited” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Listen to all of the stories, they are amazing. or