American Indian Social Research Institute

The American Indian Social Research Institute (AISRI) is an American Indian non-profit organization that was founded in 2004 in South Dakota. It was founded by Donald Lake, an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska. AISRI is incorporated with the State of South Dakota and is registered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

Vision

Moving life forward to achieve life's potential in Indian country.

Values

Every American Indian will have the ability to freely traverse every stage of life, to allow the ability to achieve the highest possible life potential.

The Institute is dedicated to the provision of scientifically-based participatory and community-driven collaboration. The Institute believes that respect, integrity, and trust are integral to effective relationships between Tribes, Tribal organizations, and other stakeholders in Indian country. The Institute encourages innovation and creative approaches to promoting community social assets and solving community social issues.

The Institute acknowledges that cultural values are integral to the achievement of community goals, and believes that traditional customs are the backbone for all Tribal activities.

AISRI subscribes to professional ethics, such as the Code of Ethics of the American Sociological Association. 

Mission

The mission of the Institute is to promote the provision of comprehensive, high quality technical assistance that is responsive, accessible, and coordinated to the needs of Tribal communities. The Institute will foster the ability of such communities to have greater capacity to utilize social, economic, educational, and health opportunities.

Fiscal Stewardship

AISRI recognizes the importance of responsive and sound fiscal stewardship.  AISRI fiscal mechanisms are regularly accounted for by an independent CPA firm.  In addition to this and oversight by AISRI's Board of Directors, AISRI adheres to the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB)'s Circular No. A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations.

To download an AISRI brochure, click here (viewable using Adobe Acrobat software).

 In maintaining a Native perspective with regard to its values and mission, the leadership of AISRI is chiefly comprised of enrolled members of federally-recognized Indian tribes.

Board of Directors

Donald E. Lake, M.A.
Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska
(President, AISRI)

Linda D. Frizzell, Ph.D.
Eastern Cherokee and Lakota
(Vice-President, AISRI)

Allen R. Branum, Ph.D.
(Secretary-Treasurer, AISRI)

Honorary Director/Chairman:

Duane W. Champagne, Ph.D.
Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indians