March 31, 2022 marked the District’s Two-Year Anniversary. Inspired and uplifted by our local American Indian community, partners, and collaborators, we continue to be motivated to preserving our unique cultures, strengthening our voices, and increasing visibility.
Visibility & Milestones
San Francisco AI/NA Data at a Glance
Racial Equity - American Indians have one of the lowest funding distribution rates among BIPOC communities in San Francisco yet we are either the most impacted or second most impacted community across most socioeconomic indicators.
AI/AN are 2.1% of the population (17,965) and single race AI/AN are 1.1% (9,877)
AI/AN face the highest rate of unemployment in the City (OEWD)
AI/AN have the second lowest median income in the City
AI/AN have the lowest homeownership rates in the City 22% (MOHCD/Planning)
25% AI/AN face housing insecurity
AI/AN are 17x more likely to be found among the homeless population (2019 PIT Survey)
28% AI/AN are food stamp recipients
AI/AN are 4x more likely to be found among San Francisco’s institutional inmates; we make up 1.1% of the population but 4.4% of the institutional inmate population
AI/AN have some of the highest health disparity rates in areas like diabetes and heart disease which means we are most likely to face severe impacts of COVID-19
*American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) should be defined as AI/AN alone and AI/AN in any combination of race and ethnicity.
Major Highlights
On March 31st, 2020 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the first American Indian Cultural District in California.
On December 15th, 2020 the SF Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the expansion of the American Indian Cultural District to include Mission Dolores Park, a culturally significant area for the Ramaytush Ohlone.
On August 2nd, 2021 AICD officially moved into the American Indian Cultural District Hub at the Fort Mason Arts & Culture Complex, this Hub serves as a collective working space for local American Indian organizations.
On September 25th, 2021 AICD held a Cultural Hub Grand Opening and One Year Anniversary Celebration at Fort Mason honoring the community, AICD founding Board Members, elected officials, and City department heads for their contributions to help establish and elevate the Cultural District.
In honor of California Native American Day on September 24th, 2021 Speaker Nancy Pelosi awarded the American Indian Cultural District with a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for “outstanding and invaluable service to the community.”
On the occasion of National Native American Heritage Month on September 9th, 2021 the SF Board of Supervisors recognized the American Indian Cultural District and Executive Director Sharaya Souza for her “accomplishments as an ambassador and tireless advocate for the American Indian community.”
In August of 2020, AICD led the first collective annual American Indian budget request which yielded an additional $400,000 in funding for local American Indian organizations to address COVID-19 and for AICD to create an American Indian based COVID-19 Task Force.
In April of 2021, AICD partnered with eight local sister American Indian organizations to lead the second annual budget request to the Mayor’s Office totaling $3,854,751.
In 2021, AICD successfully advocated for and secured funding under the SF Human Rights Commission to create an American Indian Truth & Healing Reparations Advisory Committee which will be legislated by the BOS.
AICD partnered with sister American Indian health organizations to create a Health Commission Resolution addressing the health disparities of the local American Indian community and to establish meaningful partnerships with American Indian based organizations for better AI health data and accountability.
AICD worked with the SF BOS to unanimously pass a resolution recognizing November as National Native American Heritage Month celebrating the heritages, cultures, and contributions of Native Americans in San Francisco.
AICD partnered with the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone on a Land Acknowledgement Resolution with the SF Human Rights Commission recognizing San Francisco is on Ramaytush Ohlone land. This was later adopted by City entities across San Francisco such as the Board of Supervisors, SF Public Library, and the Department of the Environment.
AICD partnered with the Planning Department to make sure American Indian housing needs and cultural land use is highlighted in the 2022 Housing Element Plan which currently includes over 100 mentions of American Indians.
AICD and The Cultural Conservancy partnered with SF Department of Environment on the 2021 Climate Action Plan to ensure climate action initiatives include traditional ecological knowledge and tribal consultation.
AICD and sister orgs worked with the Office of Racial Equity to help identify issues around the history of exclusion and accuracy of American Indian data which will be reflected in the SF Racial Equity Report Card (“Index”).
What's Next
AICD is developing a Native American Community Coalition to serve as a platform to elevate the community voice and vision, bridge the larger community and help shape the direction of advocacy, and understand community needs.
AICD plans to seek state recognition as the first Cultural District of its kind and size in California dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and celebrating the inter tribal American Indian legacy, culture, people, and contributions.
