Phoenix was first more than 60 years ago when local urban Indians drawn from throughout Arizona formed the Phoenix Indian Center. Chicago, without a large in-state reservation but attracting Indians from tribes throughout the country, was second when The American Indian Center of Chicago was created to provide economic and educational services to Indians living and working in the metropolitan area. Other large cities throughout the United States developed similar programs.

Now, Santa Fe looks to create a local center for its Indian community.

"Everyone needs a place of their own," explained Choctaw Randy Chitto, a Santa Fe artist and founding member of the Santa Fe Indian Center. "Some of us used to offer our homes for get-togethers after Indian Market and special events, but we decided we really needed a neutral space for folks to get together year-round.

"Eventually, we hope to provide, in our own building, the same kind of services and resources (as the older organizations) to both Indians who live and work in Santa Fe, as well as those who visit for Market or family," Chitto said. In the meantime, the small volunteer group has begun a major fundraising effort, with a first-year goal of $150,000 to enable them to rent space and hire an executive director.

While the older groups were a direct result of the Indian Relocation Act, which aimed to break up the reservation system by assimilating Native Americans into the general population of major cities, the Santa Fe organizers said they have recognized a need by fellow Indians for a place to meet, whether on a regular basis or sporadically, to create better understanding and communication between and among themselves.

In turn, Chitto said, the center wants to help advance the general welfare of Indians in Santa Fe; foster the economic and educational advancement of Indians; sustain cultural, artistic and avocational pursuits and perpetuate Indian cultural values. The center also plans to serve as a liaison with the non-Indian community.

"We're talking about upward of 1,000 people in Santa Fe County on a daily basis," Chitto added. "We know such a center is needed when we find that there are Indian children in the city's public schools whose families are homeless. These kids seldom have enough to eat or a constant roof over their heads. We need to take care of our own, and the center can help us do that."

Like the other urban Indian centers, the Santa Fe Indian Center is a nonprofit organization, incorporated in the state of New Mexico, with 501(c)3 status through a funding agreement with the New Mexico Community Foundation. Officers are Anne Wheelock Gonzales, Oneida, chair; Chitto, vice chair; Jacqueline Chitto, Laguna/Isleta, secretary; and Dr. Joe Neidhardt, treasurer. Other founding board members include Dominic Arquero, Cochiti and Mary Roessel, Diné/Navajo.

Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to the New Mexico Community Foundation, earmarked for the Santa Fe Indian Center Fund, at 343 E. Alameda, Santa Fe 87501. For information about the center, contact Wheelock at 471-5823 or Chitto at 920-3995 or go to sfindiancenter@gmail.com.