This non-profit center with 14 employees, located in Lincoln Park, administers Federal programs for Native American families living in four counties, including Wayne County - home to the largest Native population in Michigan. Half of AIS’ clients live in SW Detroit. AIS studies and implements successful models that address cultural and socioeconomic issues facing urban Natives and other impoverished populations. A licensed CHDO developer, it has five development projects planned:

1) An Art Center, Gallery and Gift Shop, and eight housing units on Fort St, a half mile from Detroit’s border; sponsoring a regional “artist-in-residence” program with up to 48 apprentices learning from 4-5 Native Masters annually, and internet-based sales of Native Art to museums, Native casinos and gift shops nationally and worldwide (modeled on programs in the southwest US that create hundreds of jobs);

2) The Center will include a 300-seat community performance/ meeting space;

3) the first Downriver area open-air Farmer’s Market behind the Center;

4) A Native Law Center with the support of the Chippewa tribe;

5) Relocating AIS offices to renovated buildings on Fort St., expanding from 4,500 to 9,000 sq. ft.