AICD 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.
Murals & Art Activations
We are working with local Indigenous artists to develop a multi part art activation project in the Cultural District and throughout San Francisco focused on honoring California Indians and the diverse American Indian and Indigenous communities of the SF Bay Area.
Ifeektávaan (Truth Bearer) by Lyn Risling
In my painting 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 local Indigenous artists to develop a multi part art activation project in the Cultural District and throughout San Francisco focused on honoring California Indians and the diverse American Indian and Indigenous communities of the SF Bay Area.
People walking across the 16th street intersection in the Mission District.
16th St. Mission Station Mural - The Prophecy by Andrew Valencia (in progress) lead by American Indian Cultural District and American Indian Cultural Center
Diego Izizzary (Pueblo muralist), Drew Valencia (Pomo Muralist), Max Marttila (muralist) - 2185 Mission near 18th Street
AICD Partnership Mural - 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
AICD Indigenize SF Mural - 16th & Mission Street commissioned 6/7/21 by Ernest and Eric Paul with assistance from CAMP and Precita Eyes
Fort Mason Mural by Brittany Burrows (Nomlaki-Wintun). The parallels between endangered butterfly species and the struggles of indigenous communities are striking. Through education and advocacy, we can promote greater understanding and appreciation for the intricate relationships between people, nature, and culture.
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
AICD 16th Street BART Station Sign Project #IndigenizeSF (in progress)
We Are on Native Land: Honoring the Original Stewards Mural - Golden Gate Park commissioned 10/10/22
AICD One Year Anniversary Community Mural Project
Mayor Breed signing the AICD Indigenize SF Community Mural commissioned 9/25/21
Mapping Genocide Project
We are researching placenames in the City starting with streets, monuments, and parks that honor those who have contributed to the genocide of American Indians. We hope to bring truth to the history of City’s practices of honoring those who have contributed to genocide and bring healing through a community-based process to bring in culturally relevant works of art and placenames.
California Historical Society Presents: Mapping Genocide by the American Indian Cultural District
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.
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’s Mapping Genocide initiative documents and highlights the untold narratives of individuals who spearheaded the attempted genocide of American Indian peoples. The exhibit hosted at SFMoMA on August 23rd will prompt viewers to reflect on the brutality these early leaders imposed on American Indians, while celebrating the strength and resilience of survivors today.
Here is what the artist, Jackie Fawn, had to say about her art: “This 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.”
Mapping Genocide MMAC Commitee: Gregg Castro, Morning Star Gali, April McGill, AICD Staff
Abraham Lincoln depicted with the 40 person gallows made for the mass execution of the Dakota 38+2, to the homestead act, and the repetitive harm of all Native peoples across the country
In the depiction of 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.
San Juan Bautista de Anza depicted with villages burning and the heartache that mother’s mask with strength before their child is a feat that still happens today. An Ohlone mother holds the hand of her child, not knowing that her bloodline would be carried through generations of resilience. A California condor flies freely high above the redwood trees and in the presence of strength carried by a Warrior mom and her son.
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.
Signs & Pole Banners
To increase awareness of AICD we have partnered with SFMTA to post Cultural District Street Signs in major intersections throughout the Cultural District. We have also partnered with American Indian artists to develop street pole banners that elevate Native art and cultures.
AICD Flag Pole Banners
AICD Cultural District Street Signs
Digital Stories 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