The Institute For
American
Indian Studies
IAIS preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality and knowledge of Native American Cultures.
The Institute For
American
Indian Studies
IAIS preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality and knowledge of Native American Cultures.
A Brief History Of Our Museum
First and foremost, The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) seeks to provide resources for the preservation and resurgence of Indigenous knowledge and lifeways. Today, the IAIS museum provides Indigenous-led education that centers Indigenous perspectives for thousands of non-Indigenous museum visitors and K-12 students every year. For the past several years, our knowledgeable Education Department has been restructured by Darlene Kascak, Schaghticoke Tribal Nation (STN). During this time, IAIS has become a critical site of learning decolonial histories for non-Indigenous Americans, as well as a site of research and cultural revitalization (through Indigenous-led workshops) for Indigenous peoples.
The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) began in 1975 as a collaborative research hub between Indigenous (see our Hall of Elders) and non-Indigenous archaeologists and community members in western Connecticut formerly called the American Indian Archaeological Institute (AIAI).
Since 1975, IAIS has surveyed or excavated over 500 sites, including the remarkable discovery of a 11,000-year-old camp site, the Templeton Site—one of the earliest known archaeological sites in Connecticut. Excavations are done in consultations with local tribal groups.
Within its Research and Collections Department, the IAIS manages over 6,000 ethnographic (post-European contact) items and over 300,000 archaeological artifacts that represent hundreds of Native American societies throughout the western Hemisphere that range in age from over 12,000 years before present to the 21st century. Many of these ethnographic materials were collected by non-Indigenous settlers under unethical circumstances, and as a result, IAIS museum strives to return cultural artifacts to their descendent communities wherever possible.
Popular Programs
See a few of our popular program offerings below for how we can best meet the needs and interests for your group either at our facility or yours.
Virtual Learning
Our virtual learning programs invite students on a journey of 12,000 years of local indigenous history! Listen to native voices, take a trip into our museum’s vault and join us in some experimental Archaeology from the comforts of home!
Summer Camp
Create, Explore, Engage and Learn! Our camp focuses on the lifeways and lessons of Native Peoples through projects, crafts and outdoor skills.
Events and Workshops
Celebrate Indigenous cultures through immersive experiences that range from AtlAtl making workshops to a traditional dance circle during our Green Corn Festival.
Wigwam Escape
Challenge the ordinary museum experience with this multi-award winning escape room!
Support Our Mission
The Institute of American Studies strives to educate everyone who walks through the doors by providing engaging exhibits, interactive and informative programs, and a space for reflection and learning.
We greatly appreciate your support and, with your help, hope to continue educating for years to come.