 During this period the Native American population in Boston and other cities was growing rapidly, and urban centers like the BIC arose to provide health care and other services.Founding members of the BIC included writer Mildred Noble, American Indian psychologist Carolyn Attneave, Canadian activist Anna Mae Aquash and the artist Philip Young, both of whom were of the Micmac nation.Shirley Moore Mills, (Mashpee Wampanoag), served as secretary to the Board of Directors.