United Indians is a community organization that was formed in the early 1960’s. A group of Indian people decided to organize in order to continue the traditional ways of the Great Lakes tribes in an urban setting. One of their primary goals was to teach young Indians their Indian heritage. The tribes represented in Milwaukee include members of the following tribes: Ojibway, Menominee, Oneida, Potawatomi, Stockbridge-Munsee, and Hochunk.
Meetings were first held at several churches in Milwaukee which had ties to the Indian people.
These meetings resulted in the drafting of a constitution and bylaws which were to form the basis of United Indians of Milwaukee in March of 1969.
The initial directors of United Indians of Milwaukee as stated in the articles of incorporation filed with the state of Wisconsin in March of 1969 were: Wayne Martin; Petranell Martin; Thomas Kitchkume; George Carufel; Ervin Funmaker; Frank Bear; Janet Czarnecki; Edward La Plante and Lawrence Jacobs.
In September of 1969, the membership of United Indians was able to secure a lease for an old fire house from the City of Milwaukee. This firehouse has been the home of United Indians
since that time.
United Indians of Milwaukee is a 501c(3) corporation and has been tax exempt since July of 1969.
UIM History
