American Indian Scouting Association

The American Indian Scouting Association (AISA) is a joint venture of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), whose goals are:

• To help adults who are responsible for administration as well as troop leaders to develop their talents through Scouting to better serve American Indian youth
• To help youth recognize their talents and capabilities through Girl Scouting or Boy Scouting and to serve their communities
• To exchange ideas about successful Girl Scouting and Boy Scouting programs for American Indian youth
• To help youths of all tribes and cultures learn by association to appreciate the wide differences of people of Indian heritage

The AISA began as a committee of concerned Boy Scout Scoutmasters in 1956 and was sponsored by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Its goal was to advise and assist in reaching a maximum number of American Indian youth and leaders with a quality Scouting program. Girl Scout leaders began to participate in 1964, and in 1969, GSUSA assigned a national advisor at the request of Indian participants. The seminars then became a joint venture of Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA in the interest of American Indian youth.

AISA holds an annual seminar, which began in 1957, is run by a volunteer steering committee and is hosted by a local tribe or Indian community designed to attract both Indian and non-Indians to foster understanding of Indian culture and Scouting. Highlights include a parade of traditional clothing, Pow Wow with music and dancing, visit with host tribe, and events/workshops for adults and youth. Youth participation in this seminar began in 1975.

References

• BSA American Indian Scouting Association website
• Scouting magazine AISA article
• 49th American Indian Boy Scouting/Girl Scouting Seminar