Making it in New York City
American Indians were the original people living on Manhattan island. Now, they're one of the smallest racial groups in New York City. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, American Indians made up only 0.5 percent, or 41,000, of the 8 million people who live in New York City.
American Indians are filmmakers, artists, writers, musicians and entrepreneurs. Some of them are gay or lesbian. Others work in sports, healthcare, social services and education. American Indians are involved in all aspects of New York City life and culture.
Approximately 75 to 85 American Indian tribes from across North America are represented in New York city, said Rosemary Richmond, executive director of the American Indian Community House in Manhattan. Many of those people who arrive in the city drop in the center first, seeking assistance with housing, healthcare or jobs, said Richmond.
"They come here to go to school," said Richmond, a Mohawk from upstate New York who now lives in Greenwich, Connecticut. "They come because they are visual or performing artists and New York is the place to be," she added.
Many people who arrive in the city from reservations aren't always aware of the high cost of living and the lack of healthcare services provided to urban American Indians, explained Richmond. The community house offers referral services for healthcare and housing. It also provides a modest stipend for artists to help them financially while they try to break into the acting or musical business.
"They were so nice to feature me in this thing called Indian Summer at the performing art space," said Roger Kuhn of the community house. "It's a paying gig. It's the native community here that has really put a little fire underneath my career," said Kuhn, who moved to New York from Napoleon, North Dakota in 1997 (see Music).
But the American Indian community in New York city is largely invisible, explained Richmond. The center's location on the 2nd Floor of 11 Broadway isn't particularly visible from the street. The center does much of its outreach through its website at www.aich.org. The center holds monthly lunches with elders, where it provides diabetes prevention as well as other outreach. A hot lunch program is offered to anyone who comes off the street that day.
"It's a place where people can be with other Indians. We have a drop-in center," said Richmond.
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