Native American Professionals in Illinois

Kick back for a chill night of Wingspan with Chicago BIPOC Birders! All are welcome, and no prior experience with the game is necessary (we'll give instructions and guidance for those new to the game)! Snacks will be provided! Wingspan is a competitive, medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building board game from designer Elizabeth Hargrave and Stonemaier Games. It is the 2019 winner of the prestigious Kennerspiel des Jahres award. You are bird enthusiasts—researchers, bird watchers, ornithologists, and collectors—seeking to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves. Each bird extends a chain of powerful combinations in one of your habitats (actions). These habitats focus on several key aspects of growth: Gain food tokens via custom dice in a birdfeeder dice tower Lay eggs using egg miniatures in a variety of colors Draw from hundreds of unique bird cards and play them The winner is the player with the most points after 4 rounds. If you enjoy Terraforming Mars and Gizmos, we think this game will take flight at your table Chicago BIPOC Birders is a local group of birders committed to providing space for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color to experience the natural beauty of our city and the broader Midwest/Great Lakes region. BIPOC Birders organizes birding trips, social gatherings, and education on birding for beginners.

SACNAS and Friends UIUC represents a vibrant student-led community at the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, where members gather to support one another's academic journeys and personal growth. Rooted in the mission of advancing Chicano and Native American representation in science, this organization extends its embrace to all allies committed to building a more inclusive STEM community throughout Urbana, IL and beyond. What sets SACNAS and Friends UIUC apart is its genuine commitment to fostering meaningful relationships and authentic connections among students. The organization recognizes that success in academia extends beyond grades and test scores—it thrives on community, encouragement, and shared purpose. By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, SACNAS and Friends UIUC creates a safe space where members can celebrate their identities, share challenges, and collectively work toward their aspirations. Embedded within the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign campus, this student organization draws strength from the institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Members find not only academic support but also cultural affirmation and professional encouragement. SACNAS and Friends UIUC stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives, where students uplift one another and work collaboratively to break barriers in STEM fields. The organization's presence in Urbana demonstrates how student-led efforts can create transformative experiences and lasting impact for all who participate.

Since 2012, the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative has served as the unified voice and organizing force for Native American communities throughout Chicago, IL. Born from recognition that the local Native community lacked cohesion and visibility, CAICC was established through a comprehensive community-driven process involving surveys, conferences, and strategic retreats that engaged nearly 200 participants in identifying priorities and developing actionable change plans. The organization represents the first time in Chicago's Native American community history that such a broad, formalized Memorandum of Understanding has been constructed and endorsed across member organizations. CAICC's members are dedicated to furthering diverse causes while maximizing effectiveness through mutual aid, political support, positive public recognition, and strategic partnerships. The collaborative creates forums for fostering dialogue, advocacy, and planning that empower the community to better address its own issues and needs. Operating from the principle that there is greater power in working together, CAICC members have witnessed heightened levels of inter-organizational cooperation, increased trust, and strengthened resource sharing across Chicago's Native American service landscape. The organization pursues four priority goals: increasing foundation financial support to Native communities, driving systems reform and public policy change through leadership development and tribal outreach, strengthening nonprofit management and community infrastructure, and advancing economic development through employment and business growth. With the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian serving as fiscal agent, CAICC continues building on its foundation of community empowerment, cultural respect, and collective action to create meaningful change for American Indian communities in Chicago.