American Indian Services was first organized as American Indian Studies and Research in 1960. It became part of the BYU Division of Continuing Education in 1972 and was reorganized as the Native American Educational Outreach Programs in 1989.
In response to an effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to help its Native American members receive a college education, the Institute of American Indian Studies and Research was instituted in 1960 as a part of Brigham Young University’s General College. Later the change was made in the name from Studies to Services. This early organization focused on both providing courses of study on Native American culture and providing off-campus workshops, training, and recruitment among Native American tribes. In 1972 American Indian Services became part of the Division of Continuing Education and began working mainly with the off-campus programs. The main objectives of the American Indian Services were to promote Native American self-help programs, including programs that involved learning about agriculture and horticulture, alcoholism, employment etc. Another objective was to provide technical and financial assistance to the development of Native American programs.
In 1971 Dr. Dale T. Tingey was appointed as director of American Indian Services and remained as such until 1989. Upon Dr. Tingey’s retirement, BYU began a reorganization effort of the American Indian Services. American Indian Services became known officially as Native American Educational Outreach Programs.
From the guide to the American Indian Services and Research Center records, 1954-1990, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)
