Celebrating 51 years of service, leadership, and healing on Native land
CHICAGO, IL — 11/13/2025— American Indian Health Services of Chicago (AIHSC) proudly announces the launch of the Spirit of ’51 Campaign, marking 51 years of service as Illinois’ only health clinic dedicated to the Native American community. The campaign honors more than five decades of resilience and leadership in Native American health and will raise funds to expand AIHSC’s healthcare services and cultural programming—ensuring that the Chicagoland Native American community continue to thrive in the generations to come.
“For 51 years, AIHSC has stood as a place of belonging and healing,” said Dr. Albert Mensah, Executive Director of AIHSC. “The Spirit of ’51 Campaign is both a celebration of our past and a call to action for our future. We invite everyone who lives and works on Native land to turn acknowledgment into action by supporting Native American health and culture.”
Honoring the Land Through Health Equity
AIHSC’s Spirit of ’51 Campaign is rooted in the belief that true land acknowledgment means supporting the people who continue to steward this land. While many organizations begin meetings or events with land acknowledgments, AIHSC offers a way to make those words meaningful—by investing in healthcare access, cultural preservation, and community wellness for Native people across Illinois.
Funds raised through the campaign will:
- Expand healthcare access through additional medical and mental health
- Grow cultural programming that integrates traditional and Western healing practices
- Strengthen community outreach to Native American families and youth
- Support workforce development and training for Native American health professionals
Celebrating 51 Years of Native American Leadership
Since opening its doors in 1974, AIHSC has served as a trusted community anchor and a national model for urban Native American health. The clinic’s holistic approach—combining clinical care with traditional healing and cultural connection—reflects the understanding that healthcare is sovereignty, and culture is medicine.
“Fifty-one years ago, our founders built this clinic with love, resilience, and community spirit,” said Justin Velasquez AIHSC Board Chair. “Today, we honor that legacy by expanding our reach and strengthening the bridge between acknowledgment and action.”
How to Participate
The Spirit of ’51 Campaign offers multiple pathways for supporters to get involved:
- Individual Giving : Sustain ongoing care and wellness programs.
- Corporate Partnerships: Align corporate values with authentic Native American impact.
- Institutional Collaborations: Help build reciprocal relationships with Native American communities.
- Legacy Giving – Ensure Native American wellness for generations to come.
A Call to Action
“We all live on Indigenous land,” added Dr Albert Mensah “Supporting AIHSC is one of the most powerful ways to honor that truth. When Native American communities thrive, we all benefit from their stewardship, wisdom, and cultural strength.”
Join AIHSC in celebrating 51 years of service and shaping the next 51 by visiting https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/campaign–51 to contribute to the Spirit of ’51 Campaign.
About American Indian Health Services of Chicago
Founded in 1974, American Indian Health Services of Chicago (AIHSC) is the only Native-led health clinic in Illinois, providing culturally grounded healthcare, wellness services, and community programming. AIHSC integrates traditional and Western healing to ensure equitable, culturally responsive care for Native American peoples living in urban environments.