About KCIC

History

Incorporated in 1971, the Heart of America Indian Center, Inc., d/b/a Kansas City Indian Center, operates as the Kansas City area’s only multi-purpose social service agency for American Indians.

Following World War II, with government relocation and training programs — and a formal policy in the early 1950s of reservation termination — American Indians were relocating to urban areas. To help sustain the cultural and spiritual beliefs of their tribes, local elders began a social club. The center was founded as a formal, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization in 1971 to accept federal, state, and private funds for social programs.

Mission

Our mission is to encourage social, educational, and economic advancement of the American Indian community by promoting traditional and cultural values.

Goals

• Provide health, welfare, and cultural services to American Indian individuals and families of our community
• Promote fellowship among the American Indian people of all tribes living in the Kansas City Area
• Stimulate the natural integration of the American Indian into the community
• Encourage artistic and vocational pursuits by American Indian people
• Preserve and foster traditional American Indian cultural values

Logo

The head of the spiritual being is synonymous with the eye of the eagle. Both watch over the smaller physical Indian, who is protected by two shades of spirit wings, representing traditional ways and modern life.