American Indian Resource Center
Location & Hours
Huntington Park Library
6518 Miles Ave, Huntington Park, CA 90255
323.583.2794
American Indian Resource Center Librarian:
Kascia Samel
What is the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC)?
The American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) was established in 1979 by LA County Library to address informational needs for and about American Indians in Los Angeles County. The AIRC collection is the largest public library collection of its kind in the U.S.
AIRC is also an information center with announcements of events, classes, and conferences pertaining to American Indians – local, regional, and national – on topics ranging from health issues, education, legal issues, economic issues, politics, and culture.
Upcoming Programs
What is in the AIRC Collection?
Subjects covered include all standard library subject areas and also subject areas specific to American Indian experiences in the continental U.S. and Alaska such as:
- Federal Indian law
- Tribal Sovereignty
- Native Voices
- American Indian Genealogy
- American Indians in Film
- Urban Indians
- Women’s Studies
- Adoption & Identity
- Tribal Studies (individual tribes) and geographic Regional Studies
- and more
Resources are available in a wide variety of media including:
- Music – audiocassette, CD, DVD
- Films – DVD, VHS, 8, 16 & 35mm
- Community Resources
Non-fiction books, DVDs, VHS, are organized by specific subject area.
Microfilm Sets
AIRC has complete microfilm sets of the following U.S. government originated materials:
- Records of the Indian Claims Commission, 1946-1977; portions available online
- Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940
- Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, California Superintendency, 1849-1880 (also on DVD)
- Documents Relating to the Negotiation of Ratified and Unratified Treaties California, 1850-1869
- California Indian Census of 1928 (on CD)
- Bureau of American Ethnology Annual Reports, 1879-1931
- Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletins, 1887-1971
Other microfilm collections include other government documents, anthropological works, theses, dissertations, and microfilmed copies of books dating from the 15th century
Other Government Publications
- Copies of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 25) “Indians”
- Treaties
- Tribal codes and bylaws
- Census rolls and legislative documents for the Five Civilized Tribes
- Other historical records
Newspapers & Magazines
Current Newspaper Subscriptions
- Cherokee Phoenix
- Fort Apache Scout
- Lakota Times
- Navajo Times
Historical Newspapers (Incomplete Run)
- The Apache News
- News from Indian Country
- Talking Leaf
- The Tribal Spokesman
- Winnebago Indian News
Current Magazine/Journal Subscriptions
- American Indian Culture & Research Journal
- American Indian Quarterly
- Choctaw Community News
- First American Art
- Journal of American Indian Education
- NARF Legal Review Native American Rights
- National Museum of the American Indian
- Native American Indigenous Studies
- Native Oklahoma
- Native South
- News from Native California
- Tribal College Journal
- Western Historical Quarterly
- Whispering Wind
Historical Magazines and Journals (Incomplete Run)
- American Indian Art Magazine
- American Indian Law Review
- Ethnohistory
- Indian Historian
- Journal of California & Great Basin Anthropology
- Journal of the American Indian Family Research
- Journal of the Southwest
- Journal of the West
- Masterkey
- Pacific Historical Review
- Southern California Quarterly
- Wicazo SA Review
- Winds of Change
*Contact AIRC for detailed information.
Online Collections
Local Digital History
eBooks & Audiobooks on Libby
American Indian Resource Center eBook & Audiobooks: A curated collection of eBooks and audiobooks by and about Native & Indigenous Americans for all ages.
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every year during the month of November. For more information please visit our Native American Heritage Month page.
Additional AIRC Resources
Local Links
- American Indian Community Council: The mission of the AICC is to strengthen the overall wellness of the LA American Indian children, families, and community through leadership development, community organizing, self determination, and cultural values. Formerly known as the Los Angeles American Indian Children’s Council, since its inception, the AICC has served as a central hub and resource for the Los Angeles American Indian/Alaska Native Community.
- American Indians in Los Angeles: The following publications were produced by the UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies. The following titles are available under the PUBLICATIONS link:
- Socioeconomic Characteristics of American Indians in Los Angeles County
- Socioeconomic Status of American Indian Adults in Los Angeles
- American Indian Adults in Los Angeles, California and the U.S.
- American Indian Children in Los Angeles, California and the U.S.
- The Status of American Indian Children in Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Almanac: General information and links to the history of the Indigenous peoples of Los Angeles.
- American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL): AICL provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children’s and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) – U.S. Department of the Interior: The BIA is the primary federal government department with administrative over-sight over all American Indian reservations and all aspects of American Indian life that fall under federal supervision – from conservation to Indian gaming, and so on.
- California Indian History Overview: Written by Professor Edward D. Castillo, Cahuilla-Luiseno, for the California Native American Heritage Commission.
- California Indian Legal Services (CILS): The first Indian-controlled law firm organized to provide specialized legal representation to Indians and Indian tribes. CILS provides free or low-cost representation on those matters that fall within the priorities set by its board of trustees. CILS has been one of the preeminent advocates for the rights of Native Americans and Indian tribes for over thirty years.
- Committee on Indian Affairs – United States Senate: Includes links, senate hearings, legislation, information on current issues as well as information about the committee.
- Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet: A comprehensive website that includes many aspects of conducting genealogical research on American Indian ancestry.
- How Do I Trace Indian Ancestry? – U.S. Department of the Interior: Gives an overview of the processes for anyone who wishes to establish American Indian ancestry in a federally recognized tribe. The website helps pinpoint the types of records the BIA does and does not have; how to begin your search; and what sources of information both of a personal nature and those in public records which may be useful. Also listed are researchers who conduct genealogical research for a fee.
Index of Native American Resources on the Web: This site indexes links to American Indian Resources on the Internet from archaeology to electronic texts. The genealogy information is excellent.
Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties: A historically significant, seven volume compilation of U.S. treaties, laws and executive orders pertaining to all federally recognized American Indian tribes. - Indian Health Services (IHS) – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Describes IHS services, programs, jobs, reports/publications and area offices/facilities.
- National Congress of American Indians (NCAI): The oldest and largest national American Indian organization. Among its goals is to protect the rights of American Indian Nations and Governments. Lists current NCAI issues, meetings, documents, links to events throughout the United States.
- National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA): The most comprehensive source of information on American Indian child welfare and works on behalf of Indian children and families. NICWA provides public policy research and advocacy; information and training relating to Indian child welfare; community development services, state child welfare agencies, and other organizations, agencies, and professionals interested in the field of Indian child welfare.
- Native American Ancestry and American Indian Genealogy – AAG International Research: This section of AAG specializes in Native American family research, ancestry, genealogy free and for fee services.
- Native American Rights Fund (NARF): The nation’s largest non-profit organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide.
- NativeWeb: Resources for Indigenous Cultures: This website is dedicated to information by and about indigenous cultures around the world. There is an index page and an up to date resource directory.
- Oyate: A Native organization working to see that American Indian lives and histories are portrayed accurately. The site includes evaluation of texts, resource materials and fiction by and about Native peoples; conducting of teacher workshops, in which participants learn to evaluate children’s material for anti-Indian biases; administration of a small resource center and library; and distribution of children’s, young adult, and teacher books and materials, with emphasis on writing and illustration by Native people.
- Southern California Indian Center (SCIC): SCIC’s goals are to promote social and economic self-sufficiency for American Indian, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian people. And, to educate and broaden the knowledge of the American public on Indian issues and culture, regarding its unique positive contribution to American society.
- Torres Martinez Tribal TANF: Torres Martinez Tribal TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, is a social services organization that provides assistance to Native American families with children. Their programs offer educational incentives and work opportunities, supported by temporary financial assistance, leading to self sufficiency. Special focus is put on traditional values and cultural awareness as we serve the Native community with a determination to support, educate and guide our clients along the path to self sufficiency.
- Tribal Court Clearinghouse: A Project of the Tribal Law and Policy Institute: Tribal laws, codes, and related resources.
- United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII): UAII provides services to the Los Angeles American Indian Community. The UAI mission is: To provide quality educational programs, primary health, mental health, housing, economic development and social services to American Indians residing in Los Angeles County in a manner that is sensitive and respectful to cultural, tribal and spiritual values.
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