American Indian Cultural District #Indigenize Project
The citywide Indigenize Project is a placemaking and placekeeping initiative that focuses on honoring and celebrating American Indian culture, history, people, and contributions through art, pole banners, street signs, a mapping genocide project, and QR digital walking tours. This ongoing project is intended to create an interactive experience that will confront systematic erasure and expand the rich cultural heritage of San Francisco by increasing public awareness and elevating the visibility of local Native American culture and history through an Indigenous lens.
Branching out from our home base in the American Indian Cultural District, the Indigenize Project maps out works of art and educational destinations throughout the City creating a cultural trail for residents and visitors to learn and experience American Indian culture and history through the voice of the people. 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.
Mapping Genocide Project
In the 19th century, tens of thousands of American Indians throughout the United States were killed in government-sanctioned genocide. The people who led the massacres and attempted erasure of American Indians continue to be honored throughout the city through street names, monuments, and statues in the San Francisco Civic Art Collection.
The American Indian Cultural District Mapping Genocide initiative is part of a larger San Francisco-based Genocide Mapping Project that currently maps out the statues, monuments and memorials in the San Francisco Civic Art Collection as well as street names in the City of San Francisco memorializing those who have contributed to the Genocide of American Indians. The purpose of this series is to bring truth to the history of City’s practices of honoring those who have contributed to genocide, highlight the untold narratives of attempted genocide, and bring healing through a community-based process to reimagine the narratives of the monuments and memorials through culturally relevant works of art and place names. Check out our Events Page to learn about upcoming feedback sessions and exhibits that will prompt viewers to reflect on the brutality these early leaders imposed on American Indians, while celebrating the strength and resilience of survivors today.
Mapping Genocide Monuments & Memorials Advisory Committee: Gregg Castro, Morning Star Gali, April McGill, Sharaya Souza, Leah Joshnson
“This Mapping Genocide Project has been a great reflection, artistically and culturally as an Indigenous mother. In an era where many are looking to the future, it was a moment to look into the past and follow the ink lines on how we all got here. It is important that we all recognize the Ohlone Peoples and all Indigenous people’s resiliency for me and my relatives to be here today.” ~ Jackie Fawn
Mother Pioneer was an icon for settler generations to be raised believing that this land was there’s for the ravaging. Like the bodies of Native peoples, the land has been abused and continuously taken advantage of from the water and land. The horrors did not end with the coming of gold miners, but continued in the form of resource extraction and shipping. She holds an abalone necklace that she has removed from Native children, as the two kids she raises crush the sacredness of the land with their feet. Above, an Ohlone Mother and child witness a Gold Miners ship that will forever change the landscape of a once pristine landscape. ~Jackie Fawn
Pioneer Mother, Stow Lake Drive, Golden Gate Park
King Carlos the Third, his hands hold bloodied documents that would send many settlers to come ravage the ‘new world’. With him, he brought the mission system that would destroy the lives of many Native peoples and bring upon generations of trauma to oppress the original occupants of the land. A young child has their hair taken by the Mission system and is cut off from their roots of their culture and the land. A grandpa and grandmother embrace their children not knowing what tomorrow will bring. . ~Jackie Fawn
Statue of King Carlos III, Lake Merced, One Harding Road, Golden Gate Park
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.
California Historical Society Presents: Mapping Genocide by the American Indian Cultural District
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