UPDATED: 3/20/2021
The Chi-Nations Youth Council (Facebook) has issued an open letter to Heather Miller, Director of the American Indian Center of Chicago.
Open Letter to Heather Miller
Heather Miller,
We write this open letter in the hopes of having a public dialogue about the anti-blackness in the Chicago Native community and the American Indian Center.
After hearing your response to why you accepted and commissioned the current mural on the outside of our community center, we’re asking that it be removed immediately. As it stands, you have chosen to ignore a call-in regarding the anti-Blackness of the mural put in place today, and you have chosen to ignore any ounce of progressive thought of the last seven years regarding the work being done in our current civil rights movement. It is both unsurprising and disappointing to see anti-Blackness alive and well in the American Indian community at the height of civil rest.
By permitting this violence in OUR community space, you are consenting to white supremacy to be perpetuated within the Native community and the Albany Park Neighborhood. We stand by the campaign created in Albany Park that hate has no home here. You are sealing your place in history as a leader who chooses to make the American Indian Center a hot spot for out-of-date racism and an establishment that has chosen whiteness.
The logic of “we aren’t Indian enough because we aren’t putting plants and animals on the same level as Black people.”
Call to Action
Contact the American Indian Center (AIC) Executive Director Heather Miller at 773-275-5871 or hmiller@aicchicago.org to demand the immediate removal of this piece.
Updates
11/3/2020 at 8:04 p.m. – Posted by Heather Miller (Executive Director)
“Robert [Wapahi] as an artist and elder is allowed to express his views. He explained this concept as a respect for all life, human, animal, plant etc. I believe he wants it to be a positive message and not one of hate for anyone.” – (source: Facebook)
Note: The response was not clipped as used as an excuse by Heather Miller in a Facebook post dated 11/4/2020 (see below – 4th paragraph).
11/4/2020 at 5:50 p.m. – Posted by Heather Miller (Executive Director)
“I want to take this moment to address the recent conversation and call out on social media because of a mural at the American Indian Center. This has led to larger conversations about me, my leadership and my place within the Native Community in Chicago.
Let me first address the mural.
In response to the pandemic, we have tried to find new ways to connect our programming to our new reality.Adding art to the outside of the building has been something that has been brought up in conversation many times.Robert Wapahi is a respected elder and artist and many of his murals were inside the previous Center.We asked him to design art outside to capture this moment in time.The first phrase Robert wanted to use was indeed All Lives Matter which I would not allow.We explained that we did not support All Lives Matter and gave him some other suggestions. All Life Matters was NOT on that list.
My first response was clipped and not at all helpful. (Social media generally is not my ideal form of communication). I believe in Robert and I choose to support him even in my strong opposition to the wording of the sign. The mural should not have gone up without further vetting and I should have done a better job of responding to the criticism.
This is one of those moments where I screwed up. Am I white supremacist? I am not. I did make a mistake and am more then willing to own it, discuss it, and learn from it.
Moving forward the art will be changed.I am encouraging Robert to explain his art and his perspective, and I encourage ChiNations and others to engage in this conversation as well.We are a community and we don’t always agree but we can talk to one another.I agree Asya, Anthony, Winfield, Naomi, and Janie that we do have a lot of work ahead of us to address our own struggles, and I am willing to show up to be in this work together.
With all that being said let me address some things that were said about my award, my staff and my leadership.
Yes, I was awarded an individual and organizational award from the Field Foundation. I used a generous portion of it to fund bonuses for my staff. I did not give myself a $25,000 raise over 3 years.
The money AIC receives for grants has gone to fund staff, provide programming and purchase supplies at the First Nations Garden.AIC was able to provide soil this summer to the Garden.We also helped fund the Wigwam and rental of tools to start the early cleanup of the site. All of this is documented.
Leadership is hard, especially in a community that deals with ongoing trauma.I know I’m not perfect and that I will continue to make mistakes.I will also keep learning and changing from said mistakes.I appreciate your callout and will keep changing to do better.” – (source: Facebook)
11/5/2020 (time unknown) – The mural was repainted
On or before Thursday, November 5, 2020, the sign space was repainted. “All Life Matters” can still be seen through the paint.
11/6/2020 at 9:05 a.m. – Posted by Heather Miller (Executive Director) for the AIC Board – link (.pdf)
“November 5, 2020
The American Indian Center of Chicago offers its most sincere apology to anyone that has been harmed by the recent mural that we commissioned to be painted on the outside of our building. We acknowledge that in the social justice climate in the United States “All Life Matters,” a phrase that
appeared on the mural, is closely related to “All Lives Matter,” a phrase that is used to silence the voices of Black People’s calls for liberation. We recognize the inexcusable impact such a statement has on our Afro-Indigenous community members and the Black community at-large. At the same time, we also express support for a Native Veteran and Elder, as we know Mr. Wapahi’s intentions were not murky or anti-Black and he has since repainted over the phrase.
We are watching as people in our Chicago Community stand up and make sure their voices are heard and their lives respected today by condemning oppressive practices and institutions. Today’s movement for justice and equality demands that we stand together for our marginalized and oppressed communities, always pushing for what is right and protecting those spirits who walk this earth, who are vulnerable, all while bringing the same passion and commitment to our Black brothers and sisters.
Many Indigenous-led organizations are expressing solidarity and are committing to the BLM movement, citing the ways in which Indigenous Sovereignty and Black Liberation go hand-in-hand. In this moment, we are choosing to be more intentional about ways we can lift up and center Black voices and the Black Lives Matter movement. This does not mean that police brutality inflicted upon Native communities is any less crucial to address. It does not mean that our struggles are any less important. In fact, standing in solidarity and supporting Black Lives Matter, addresses the root causes of that brutality – systemic racism and white supremacy. Dismantling these systems is the work we need to do together.
We as an organization are committed to making amends and building relationships with our Black and Brown brothers and sisters. We invite others to reach out to the Board of Directors and AIC Staff to voice their concerns, suggestions, and recommendations on moving forward.
-AIC Board of Directors” – (source: Facebook)
To date, this statement has not been issued on the American Indian Center website.
11/5/2020 – Aaron Golding, Member of the American Indian Center Board, submits resignation
No statement was released.
A statement was released eight days later, on 11/13/2020.
11/6/2020 – Mural painted over
The mural was painted over by the artist with no official statement by the AIC Executive Director Heather Miller or the AIC Board of Directors.
11/8/2020 (time unknown) – Mural painted over backstory
A board member confirmed that the mural was painted over because, in the repainted sign’s space, someone put “Black Lives Matter.”
An official statement still has not been made by the AIC Executive Director Heather Miller or the AIC Board of Directors.
11/9/2020 – Monica Rickert-Bolter (Whitepigeon or White Pigeon – Source, Source 2), Secretary of the American Indian Center Board, submits resignation
No statement was released.
A statement was released four days later, on 11/13/2020.
11/13/2020 (12:00 p.m.) – Heather Miller Facebook Status Update
No information was given to the staff or the community. This status was changed three days before the AIC Board issued a press release.
11/13/2020 – AIC Board Issues Release regarding Aaron Golding and Monica Rickert-Bolter (Whitepigeon or White Pigeon) – Link
“Press Release: Thank you to AIC Board Members Aaron Golding and Monica Rickert-Bolter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2020
CONTACT: Chantay Moore, Board President
chantay@aicchicago.org | 773-275-5871
Thank you to AIC Board Members Aaron Golding and Monica Rickert-Bolter
Greetings to the Chicago Native Community! We would like to extend our well wishes of health and safety to you all as our world changes and evolves with COVID-19. The AIC Board of Directors would like to thank Aaron Golding and Monica Rickert-Bolter for their years of service to the AIC Board of Directors. This week Aaron and Monica decided to leave their positions on the Board of Directors. We thank them for their service on the Board.
Aaron and Monica brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board. We will miss them. We hope for their continued success and leadership in the Chicago Native Community.
The AIC will be seeking replacements for their seats on the Board. Please see AIC website for more information regarding these vacancies. Once again, thank you Aaron and Monica for your service.
The AIC Board of Directors
Chantay Moore, Navajo Nation
President
Melodi Serna, Oneida/Turtle Mountain Chippewa Vice President/Interim-Executive Director
Les Begay, Diné Nation
Treasurer
David Morales, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Sergeant at Arms
Ben Krause-Decorah, Ho-Chunk Nation
Secretary”
11/16/2020 – AIC Board Issues Release – Link
“Resignation of AIC Executive Director Heather Miller
Greetings to the Chicago Native Community! We are coming to you again with the latest news from the American Indian Center of Chicago. On Friday, November 13, 2020 we were informed of the resignation of the Executive Director Heather Miller. Heather will remain in her role as Executive Director as a transition plan is made by the Board. We would like to thank Heather for her willingness to assist in this transition to make it as smooth as possible for our staff, organization, members and community.
As many of you know, the Executive Director position is met with many challenges and fast-moving parameters. We want to thank Heather for her years of service to overcome these obstacles. During her tenure, Heather has created partnerships and sought out funding for our organization that were hard fought. We thank Heather for her leadership for over three years and through this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish Heather nothing but well wishes and health as she moves to her next role, whatever it may be. Heather doesn’t plan on going far as she intends on remaining in our Native Community.
The AIC Board of Directors remain committed to as transparent of a transition as possible for our Staff and Members. We appreciate your grace and patience as we continue to move our great organization forward. The AIC Board of Directors will establish a Search Committee that will oversee the transition of new leadership. We will continue to update you all as this happens.
We would like to again extend our well wishes of health and safety to you all as our world changes and evolves with COVID-19. Please reach out to any of the Board members with any questions, concerns or if you need support in any way.”
This release contradicts Heather Miller’s status update that she has left the job on 11/13/2020 and states that “Heather will remain in her role as Executive Director as a transition plan is made by the Board.”
Heather Miller posted her status three days before an official statement was made to the public.
11/20/2020 – Heather Miller immediately leaves the American Indian Center
Heather Miller, Ex-Executive Director, left her position without a “transition plan.”
11/25/2020 – The AIC Board Issues Release – link
“Press Release: Melodi Serna Appointed as Interim-Executive Director of the American Indian Center of Chicago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
CONTACT: Chantay Moore, Board President
chantay@aicchicago.org | 773-275-5871
Melodi Serna Appointed as Interim-Executive Director of the American Indian Center of Chicago
Greetings to the Chicago Native Community and to all our members. Please accept this as formal notice that our Executive Director Heather Miller has resigned her position with AIC effective Friday, November 20, 2020. We truly thank Heather for her years of service to the Organization and wish her health and safety with all her future endeavors.
As your Board we want you to know that it is our priority to develop a transition and recruitment strategy to find the best Executive Director to serve our Native Community moving forward. As stated in our previous releases, we will continue to be as transparent as possible about this entire process.
The first critical step is for us to have an Interim-Executive Director. As a result, the Board has appointed AIC Board of Director Vice President Melodi Serna who has graciously accepted this Interim-Executive Director position effective immediately. It is because of Melodi’s background and dedication to our Organization that we believe she will be great value to this interim role. As a Native American Navy Veteran, she has leadership experience both in and out of her military service. She has various experience in the non-profit sector as well as education advocacy. She has led staff in various positions prior to this and we are confident she has the background to help us to the next stage. Please join us in wishing her the best during this time of service.
We are now working on how we appropriately move Melodi into this interim role and if/what impact this has on her Board position. Our target timeframe for this interim role is 4-6 months after which we hope to have completed our search for the new Executive Director. Further, until we complete a total financial review, Melodi has asked that she not be compensated for her work at this time, which the Board has accepted. This will be reassessed once the financial review is complete.
In terms of next steps, the Board of Directors has established an Exploratory Committee to help bridge this transition for our Community Center. We will continue to keep you apprised on any updates of this process. We thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to the future, while remembering our past to help make the American Indian Center of Chicago a destination for all Native Americans. We hope you stay safe and healthy this Holiday week.
The AIC Board of Directors
Chantay Moore, Navajo Nation
President
Melodi Serna, Oneida/Turtle Mountain Chippewa Vice President/Interim-Executive Director
Les Begay, Diné Nation
Treasurer
David Morales, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Sergeant at Arms
Ben Krause-Decorah, Ho-Chunk Nation
Secretary
Mark Rund, Cherokee Nation Board Member
Marjorie Fritz-Birch,
Board Member”
11/25/2020 – Two American Indian Center staff members submit their resignation
Stephanie Taylor, Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper, and Chris Whitewing, Development and Marketing Coordinator, both resign effective immediately due to the appointment of Melodi Serna as Interim-Executive Director.
12/1/2020 – Les Begay, Treasurer (and former President) of the American Indian Center Board, submits resignation
No statement was released.
3/20/2021 – The AIC held the “Annual” meeting, with no mention of the mural, Heather Miller’s actions, or a full investigation – link
No mention of the mural or actions taken by the AIC.
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