about_us

The Bureau of Indian Affairs' Relocation Act moved thousands of Indian families from reservations to major metropolitan cities. In Southern California, approximately 50 Indian families formed an Indian Dance Group, known as the "Road Runner Club." The Road Runner Club exhibited many shows throughout the Southland. In the city of Stanton, concerned Indian community members gathered and passed out food and clothing at John and Lois Knifechief's garage. On February 25, 1969, nine community members officially formed the Orange County Indian Center. The charter members who signed the Articles of Incorporation were Delmer Nejo, Cecelia Blanchard, Joan John, Lois Knifechief, Irene Crew, Howell Pete, Eloise Quisquis, Dorothy SkyEagle, and Joseph Teller. The need to provide the distribution of food, job referrals, and exchange of information gathered Indian people from all over Southern California. The Road Runner Club and the Drum and Feather Club were the first Pow Wow clubs that assisted the Indian Center with the dissemination of job leads, food, housing, and social activities. In the city of Stanton, many Pow Wows took place at Hobby City and then later at Stanton's Recreation Center. In the 1970's Orange County Indian Center provided Social Services, Employment and Training, and Senior Services, as well as an Annual Pow Wow in Orange County.

In 1986, Orange County Indian Center, Inc. opened offices in Los Angeles County. One year later, 1987, Orange County Indian Center, Inc. changed its name to Southern California Indian Center, Inc. (SCIC) to reflect its broadened service area. SCIC is a community-based organization serving the American Indian community for the past 37 years. In that time, SCIC has grown from one service center to multiple service centers in four counties, covering a service area over 5,000 square miles. This area hosts the largest concentration of American Indian/Native Alaskans in the nation. SCIC serves a diverse American Indian population that differs in age, tribal affiliation and educational background. American Indians and Native Alaskans from over 250 different tribal groups reside in our service area.

SCIC's human service delivery system has always fostered increased availability of all services and strives to meet the needs of the Indian community. The Board of Directors of SCIC is a policy-making board with the vision of providing quality services to the urban Indian population in this area. SCIC has a qualified staff of 35 with master's level counselors, educators, and managers. Board members and staff also serve on standing committees and put on the Annual Pow Wow as the major fundraiser for the year. This Annual Pow Wow is one of the largest Pow Wows on the West Coast and provides additional funds for its service programs for American Indians. With over 30,000 attendees, the Pow Wow provides a wide distribution of information about services available to the American Indian community.

SCIC's vision is, "There is Future in Tradition." The future is with our most precious resource, our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, and our unborn. We must pass on our traditions, songs, dances, creation stories, and most importantly, our languages and religions. The future is our responsibility to preserve and protect for generations to come.