American Indian Cultural District #Indigenize Project
Branching out from our Cultural District homebase the citywide Indigenize Project is a placemaking and placekeeping initiative dedicated to honoring and celebrating American Indian culture, history, people, and contributions through cultural activations and art, including pole banners, lanterns, street signs, crosswalks, statues, murals, and digital QR walking tours.
A cultural trail of art and educational sites across the City allows residents and visitors to explore American Indian history and culture creating an interactive experience that confronts the systematic erasure of American Indians. It seeks to expand San Francisco's diverse cultural heritage through cultural activations and public art, increasing public knowledge, stimulating local tourism and economic growth, and enhancing the visibility of Native American cultures and histories through an Indigenous lens.
The Ramaytush Ohlone of the Bay Area, and greater intertribal American Indian population are not a people of the past, but an integral and active community in San Francisco.
Ifeektávaan (Truth Bearer) by Lyn Risling
The scales hold traditional baskets of two different tribal regions symbolizing the seeking of truth, balance and harmony with all peoples and all living things. Since ancient times our indigenous peoples of California had a peaceful relationship with the natural world and when there was conflict or problems between people they tried to resolve these through peaceful means. The woman wears a head piece that represents a blindfold that helps her to find truth within her heart as she connects with and asks for guidance from the spiritual world rather than be pulled in different directions by the influences of the society and the material world around her. The blindfolds also hides her individual identity, because she sees herself as part of a larger community that she holds up higher than herself the weapon she holds in her hand represents her willingness to fight for the truth and justice for her people. But she always tries to find a peaceful solution first.
Murals & Art Activations
We are working with American Indian, Alaskan Native and Indigenous artists to develop a series of art activation activations in the Cultural District and throughout San Francisco focused on honoring American Indian art, history, cultures, and values. Below are examples of some of our murals and art activations.
Grounding in Our Ancestor’s Strength, by Shannon Romero (Paiute/Taos). At 16th Street Crosswalk, San Francisco , CA.
The Prophecy by Andrew Valencia, done in partnership with American Indian Cultural District and American Indian Cultural Center, 16th St. Mission Station.
We are the Land: Between Earth & Sky by Brittany Burrows (Nomlaki-Wintun). At 2 Marina Boulevard, Building D, San Francisco, CA.
Two Spirit Indigequeer Mural lead by BAAITS at Clarion Alley Mural Project on 2118 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
16th & Valencia Street Mural Activation done in partnership with the Mission Merchant’s Association
16th & Mission Street commissioned by Ernest and Eric Paul with assistance from CAMP and Precita Eyes. Near 16th Street BART Station, San Francisco, CA.
Weaving Relations Through Generations, Diego Izizzary (Pueblo muralist), Drew Valencia (Pomo Muralist), Max Marttila (muralist) - 2185 Mission near 18th Street, San Francisco, CA
Fort Mason Poster Series, located in Fort Mason Building D this poster series celebrates the history and connection of American Indian organizations and events that have taken place at Fort Mason
Mayor Breed signing the AICD Indigenize SF Community Mural commissioned 9/25/21
We Are on Native Land: Honoring the Original Stewards Mural located at JFK Promenade, San Francisco, CA. Circa 2022.
Statues & Monuments
The American Indian Cultural District (AICD) is hosting a Gathering Series as part of the IndigenizeSF Project to gather feedback on what types of statues, monuments, and memorials the community wants to see to celebrate Native American culture within the Cultural District and throughout San Francisco. This initiative, a component of the San Francisco Arts Commission's Shaping Legacy Initiative, aims to re-evaluate and reimagine the narratives, place names, artworks, statues, and monuments within the San Francisco Civic Art Collection.
The Gathering Series is a collaborative effort hosted in partnership with the American Indian Cultural Center, the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone, and Indigenous Justice. The AICD Monuments & Memorials Advisory Committee leading this project includes: Gregg Castro, Morning Star Gali, April McGill, Sharaya Souza, and Leah Johnson. The collected community feedback will culminate in a report to be presented to the San Francisco Arts Commission.
Artwork by: Jackie Fawn
In partnership with the French Consulate's Villa San Francisco, California Humanities, SFMOMA and the SF Public Library, KQED hosts Exploring the theme "(Re)building Together: Where Are We Going?", this unforgettable evening of talks, art, music and community invites us to consider a world that is still reeling from pandemic, global conflict, and climate disruptions, while daring us to find hope in the future. The AICD Indigenize Project starts at 19 minutes.
Signs & Pole Banners
To increase awareness of the American Indian Cultural District through placemaking we been installing a series of street signs and art pole banner activations throughout the Cultural District. In partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) we placed Cultural District street signs at major intersections throughout the Cultural District. We partnered with American Indian artists like Lynn Risiling, Eric Wilder, Jackie Fawn, and Linda Yamane to develop a series of street pole banners that elevate NativeAmerican art and cultural values.
AICD Flag Pole Banners. At Mission Street Corridor from 15th to 18th Street, San Francisco, CA.
AICD Cultural District Street Signs
AICD 16th Street BART Station Sign Project #IndigenizeSF
Digital Stories & QR Code Walking Tour
In partnership with SF Heritage and our sister organizations we will be documenting sites of cultural and historical significance to the American Indian community and using oral storytelling, dance, arts, and literature to tell the story of these sites. These documentation will then be transformed into a virtual platform accessed via a QR scan code and on Google Maps so visitors can easily navigate to these sites to learn more about our culture and history through an Indigenous lens.
To fiscally sponsor, participate, or get more info on the Indigenize project contact: general@americanindianculturaldistrict.org