Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio

The organization focuses on the special needs of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and their status in an urban environment by offering the following appropriate cultural programs and services: 1) holiday gatherings, 2) cultural classes and events, 3) community development curricula, 4) traditional AI/AN ceremonies and teachings. Throughout the year, NAICCO provides other appropriate cultural programs and services based on the needs of the AI/AN community. Hundreds of families have been documented in attendance at NAICCO throughout the year.

In September 2022, NAICCO completed a 36-month project funded by the Administration for Native Americans. The project, titled Investing in Indianness to Ensure Our Future focused on developing an in-house sustainability plan. The project created opportunties for members of the NAICCO community to develop employment skills and gain practical work experience, while generating income to support the organizations ongoing programs and activities, and serve as a platform for promoting Native American values and teachings. The plan led to the establishment of NAICCO Cuisine, a food trailer operated by NAICCO that provides Native American street food at events throughout Central Ohio.

The Columbus Foundation provided NAICCO a grant to continue with the funding of NAICCO Cuisine once the ANA grant period ended in September 2022. The grant enables NAICCO to cover many of the basic costs for its food trailer venture covering much of the costs for personnel, cost of goods, supplies, insurance and other items.

NAICCO received a grant from the City of Columbus to provide funding for cultural programming and activities that benefit the American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN)community in Central Ohio. NAICCO has been able to furnish supplies for these activities, bring in experts on subjects that impact the community and covering some its facility costs at its site in South Columbus.

NAICCO Cuisine creates opportunities for Native community members to earn extra income and develop future employable skills through hands-on experience and training. The operation not only provides a nurturing atmosphere that fosters community, buy-in, and ownership, but as well, serves as a platform for cultivating traditional Native American values and practicesprayer, respect, compassion, truth, generosity, humility, and wisdom (foundational fabric of Native communities).All the benefits, experience and training listed above comes from the offerings of NAICCO Cuisine, which consists of a food trailer that offers a one-of-a-kind menu of Native American street food. The offerings from NAICCO Cuisine include Fry Bread, NDN Tacos, NDN Taco Bowls and Buffalo Burgers. NAICCO Cuisine is made available through activities at its facility in South Columbus, and the food trailer can be found at various festivals and special events in Central Ohio.