Whether it be for Indigenous Peoples Day, a holiday first established right in our own Berkeley in 1992, or just want to support and become more active with our Bay Area Native American resources, many local organizations are devoted to uplifting their community voices and culture.
From the showcasing of cinematic talents by the American Indian Film Institute, to a safe space that empowers queer and Two-Spirits indigenous people, here is a wide variety of the vibrant and kind organizations, businesses, and groups that platform, unify, and engage our diverse indigenous and First People populations.
See also: 10 Bay Area AAPI Organizations To Support And Show Solidarity With
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1455 Market St / (415) 651-2736 / Website
The American Indian Center of San Francisco has been a trusted community space since its establishement in 1968, with a dedicated mission to improve and promote the well-being, culture, and presence of the city's American Indian cultures through programming, food, and other awareness events. Located right on Market Street, the AICCSF is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and always has dynamic educational programs and resources that work to restore visibility, respect, and understanding.
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160 Capp St / (415) 417-3500 / Website
Since 1972, the Native American Health Center has been making triumphant strides to helping underserved Native populations in California receive proper medical, dental, behavioral health, social service, and overall wellness treatments. This is a fantastic nonprofit that has been diligently working from the local to federal levels with the Indian Health Service to ensure everyone marginalized gets high-quality personalized healthcare.
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1446 Martket St / Website
Founded in 1979 with a determination to foster accurate visibility and representation in media, the American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) combats problematic historical stereotypes by platforming actual Indian artists, talents, and filmmakers. Pioneered by late actor Will Sampson, the AIFI found its home in San Francisco after Seattle's first American Indian Film Festival in 1975, and since then its event has been the most recognized international exposition of Native American cinematic achievements. Be sure to stay updated when the festival occurs to catch endless authentic works crafted by our most premier Native visionaries.
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523 International Blvd, Oakland / (510) 836-1955 / Website
Over in Oakland, the IFH was created in 1955 by the American Friends Service Committee as a trusted Bay Area gathering spot for those relocated from reservations. This familial center houses a multi-tribal community that has warmly welcomed generations of displaced groups, keeping them tethered to their cultures through pow wow dances, beading classes, traditional ceremonies, and more.
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2 Marina Blvd. Building D, Suite 230 / Website
Located in the Mission on what is actually unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land, the American Indian Cultural District was first defined on March 31st 2020 to reclaim the rightful history and territory within the many interacting cultural neighborhoods of San Francisco.
This area works to preserve the prevous American Indian culture initially here, as well as adovcating for equitable resource funding and becoming involved with local businesses, vendors, and events. This is a fabulous area to recognize our city's true history and to help propel its powerful resilience towards the future.
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At the intersection of American Indian culture and queer history, the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) group works to maintain the validity and visibility of Two-Spirit people within both the general public and American Indian/First Nations community. This is a volunteer organization that hosts activities and resources for LGBTQI+ Native Americans, and aims to bridge harmonic understanding of the spiritual, cultural, and historical significances of the diverse Two-Spirit identity.
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524 Lasuen Mall, Stanford / Website
Stanford University, and all other Bay Area colleges, is home to many cultural groups and clubs that elevates the diasporic, generational, and personal narratives of its students. With John Milton Oskison being the first Native American Stanford graduate in 1898, in the 1960s, this historic achievement was honored with the creation of the Native American Cultural Center. Today Stanford hosts over 450 American Indian, native Alaskan and Hawaiian, and Indigenous Pacific Islander students, with the center acting as a home base that provides fun semester events, like the can't-miss Pow Wow.
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3301 E 12th St #133 / (510) 698-4067 / Website
Wahpepah's Kitchen in Oakland is the impeccable restaurant founded by culinary mastermind Crystal Wahpepah, which boasts genuine Native flavors in innovative and sophisticated transformations. Crystal is an enrolled member of Oklahoma's Kickapoo nation, an active Oakland and Ohlone Land community member, and the first Native American chef on Food Network's Chopped. Her Kitchen utilizes traditional Native cooking to educate, reclaim, and highlight its culture and health benefits, particularly in her absolutely irresistable fresh seasonal menus.
Be sure to check into all of these wonderful organizations' calendars to volunteer and become active in their several lovely events, or get involved in the festivities of Indigenous People's Day on October 10th!
See also: Remembering Actress, Activist, And SF Local Sacheen Littlefeather
Photography by: Arun Nevader/Getty Images
