For generations, Native communities in the Bay Area have faced displacement, cultural erasure, and systemic inequities. Today, the American Indian Cultural Center (AICC) is dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing Native culture, history, and art—but we lack a physical home. We call on the City of San Francisco to provide a dedicated building to AICC as a form of reparations and a commitment to honoring Native communities.

The American Indian Cultural Center is currently a virtual organization with a thriving lineup of cultural programming, community events, educational initiatives, and advocacy work. Recently, we have rented a small art space that is currently under construction to showcase the work of local artists. A building for our Cultural Center would enable AICC to expand its youth programming, community events, and educational workshops, while also providing a central hub for Native communities and making Native culture accessible to all San Franciscans.

Why a Physical Space is Essential:

• Cultural Preservation: A dedicated building would allow AICC to display Native art, host workshops, and archive historical materials.
• Community Hub: Native youth, elders, and families would have a safe and permanent space to connect, learn, and celebrate heritage.
• Reparative Action: Providing a building acknowledges the city’s responsibility to address historic injustices against Native communities and supports meaningful reparations.
• Public Access: A physical center increases visibility, awareness, and accessibility of Native culture for all residents and visitors of San Francisco.

We, the undersigned, urge the City of San Francisco to:

• Allocate a building or suitable space to the American Indian Cultural Center.
• Recognize this provision as a meaningful act of reparations and a commitment to supporting Native communities.
• Ensure ongoing support for AICC’s programs, outreach, and sustainability.

San Francisco has the opportunity to stand on the right side of history by providing a permanent home for the AICC. By supporting this petition, you are helping to preserve our Native Urban Rez, the history of Native activism, Native culture, empower community voices, and acknowledge the city’s role in addressing historic inequities.