Our History...
The American Indian Relationships Committee of the Boy Scouts of America was formed in in New Mexico 1956 by a group of concerned American Indian Boy Scout leaders. The program was sponsored by the BIA regonal office. It's goal was to advise and assist in reaching a maximum number of American Indian youth and leaders with a quality Scouting program. In 1957, the committee launched an annual 
seminar that is held in a different part of the country each year. The first seminar was held at Philmont Scout Reservation near Cimmaron, NM. As the seminar grew, a volunteer steering committee was formed and is now responsible for planning and implementing the annual seminar.
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.
Beginning in 1975, youth were included as full seminar participants, and a part of each seminar program was designed specifically with youth in mind. In the picture to the right a Cherokee Boy Scout tells traditional stories to a group of visitors in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Who Are We?
The American Indian Scouting Association and its seminar is a joint venture of Indian and non-Indian adult and youth Scouters in association with the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA. Our goal is simple- 
improve life in the American Indian community by promoting Scouting.
- To help give adult scouters the tools they need 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 both on the reservation and off.
- To exchange ideas about how to create and maintain successful Girl Scouting and Boy Scouting programs for American Indian youth
- To help youths of all tribes and cultures learn to appreciate the wide differences of people of Indian heritage
Today the American Indian Girl Scouting/Boy Scouting Seminar attracts American Indian and non-Indian representatives from Girl Scout and Boy Scout Councils across the country. Highlights of the seminar include:
- Parade of tribal dress
- Visits to the community of the sponsoring tribe
- Discussion of tribal flags
- American Indian music, dancing and cultural exhibits (including crafts)
- Events and workshops for youth
- Workshops for adults focused on cultural sensitivity, recruiting and organizing in American Indian communities, learning to work with tribal structure, and integrating Indian heritage with Scouting programs
