American Indian Cultural District Preview

By Ishmael A. Elias

The American Indian Cultural District (AICD) will hold its One Year American Indian Cultural District Anniversary and Cultural Hub Grand Opening on Saturday, September 25th from noon to 3:00 p.m. in Great Meadow Park at Fort Mason in San Francisco.

Dedicated to honoring, protecting, and celebrating Indigenous cultures, people, and contributions, The Cultural District serves as an epicenter for the greater San Francisco Bay Area Native community, according to its website. Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, the AICD includes a vital concentration of cultural resources, services, and gathering spaces, including addition of the former Ramaytush Ohlone village of Chutchui (also known as Mission Dolores Park) as of December 15, 2020.

Due to being founded at the start of the pandemic, this will be AICD’s first opportunity to officially celebrate its achievements and welcome the community in person. This year’s theme is “Honoring Voices of the Past and Elevating Visions of the Future.” Proposed items on the anniversary celebration agenda include recognition of community leaders, elders, Native graduates, tribal leadership, local and state leadership, as well as a moment of silence for lost community members. The event also celebrates AICD’s hub at Fort Mason, which includes such organizations as the International Treaty Council, Restoring Justice for Indigenous Peoples, Association of Ramaytush Ohlone, and a satellite office for the American Indian Cultural Center. Future organizations may include the American Indian Film Institute and Save California Salmon.

AICD is the largest American Indian cultural district in the United States, Executive Director Sharaya Souza said in a statement, as well as the first American Indian cultural district in California. It is also the newest of eight cultural districts in San Francisco, joining the African American Arts and Cultural District, Calle 24 Latino Cultural District, Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, Japantown Cultural District, Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District, SOMA Pilipinas – Filipino Cultural District, and Transgender Cultural District.