American Indian Enterprise & Business Council

Causes: Unknown

Mission: OUR MISSION STATEMENT A Community Development Corporation (CDC) To establish a Native American Organization open to all people, including persons with origins in any of the original peoples of North America and or who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or has community recognition within the Native American Community as an American Indian or Alaskan Native and who are committed to the cultural development, career advancement, education, understanding and the general well being of Native Americans. MISSION DEFINITION Promote economic self-sufficiency, cultural awareness and preservation for American Indians and Alaska Natives. To enhance existing programs, develop new programs to benefit the general welfare, education, health and wellness of Native Americans by using culturally specific programming to support our efforts. Establish and maintain education, cultural, recreational, economic, health conscious programs for American Indians and other minorities. Eliminate barriers of discrimination. Educate and broaden the knowledge of the American public of American Indian issues and culture. As a CDC: We are a community development corporation that is a not-for profit incorporated to provide programs, offer services and engage in other activities that promote and support community development…. As an NGO: A non-governmental organization (NGO) meaning as a citizen-based association that operates independently of the government, usually to deliver resources or serve some social or political purpose. The World Bank classifies NGOs as either operational NGOs, which are primarily concerned with development projects, or advocacy NGOs, which are primarily concerned with promoting a cause. One characteristic we share with other diverse organizations is that our nonprofit status means we are not hindered by short-term financial objectives, And yet we are purists because we do not accept Federal or State funding but rely on the community and businesses that we look to for help, some businesses and corporations will come into our organization, share in an event with us, make a small donation and take that as their “Diversity awareness event” and then parade that information to the community year after year, others will remain in it for the long haul seeing the value in what we do. There are some that will seek out a reason to distance themselves (as has been done in the past) stating they may not “like” a certain person or business that is involved with our organization and to them I would say: Not one single member or volunteer is paid for what they do at the AIEBC. Our Charitable orientation involves a top-down paternalistic effort with little participation by the “beneficiaries”. It includes activities directed toward meeting the needs of the poor with programs such as weatherization or our Christmas event. Our Service orientation includes activities such as assisting in the provision of health and education services