After many years of planning and development, the American Indian Resource Center opened in 2003 with a celebration that included a powwow, open house and ribbon cutting. The AIRC was funded largely by the Minnesota Legislature with additional resources provided by foundations, tribal governments and many individuals and groups.
The AIRC fulfilled a long-recognized need on campus, that a space be created where American Indian students could gather for learning, support and cultural interaction. The ultimate goal was and is to enhance the recruitment, retention and graduation of American Indian students.