American Indian Center of Chicago Executive Director Heather Miller Named Leaders for a New Chicago Awardee

Heather Miller

Published June 17, 2019

CHICAGO — Heather Miller (Wyandotte Nation), the executive director of the American Indian of Chicago, has been named one of 14 “Leaders for a New Chicag” awardees. The awardees were announced last Wednesday by The Field Foundation.

The initiative, part of more than $2 million invested by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, is meant to expand the definition of “leadership” in the city.

The award comes with a $25,000 check for the American Indian Center of Chicago and a $25,000 check for Miller to used at her discretion. She says plans for give some of it to the Center’s staff as bonuses.

“The way that social impact organizes itself these days isn’t always in a nonprofit structure. Often it’s individuals who are doing amazing work — organizers, it’s journalists, storytellers, it’s artists, it’s collectives and it’s business,” said Angelique Power, president of the Field Foundation. “With this list of 14, we’re actually funneling resources to powerful visionaries that are making incredible change in our communities across Chicago.”

Miller told the Chicago Tribune the monetary award is “gold” to its staff of seven and will help them pay bills. A portion will also help fund a public art project the center has in partnership with Chicago Public Art Group at the Northwest Portage Walking Museum.

“It’s not sexy work or anything like that, but this is the type of money that really helps us be stable and maintain our self-sufficiency as an organization, so for that, I’m super excited,” said Miller. 

“I’m hoping that this award is just more of a humongous wave of recognition to highlight the Native American experience and to bring awareness to the amazing and thriving community that we have here in Chicago,” Miller said.