Native American Heritage Month in SF
November 4, 2021November is officially recognized as Native American Heritage Month, and San Francisco presents multiple treasured monuments and exhibits dedicated to preserving the culture and heritage of the Native American community. Journey with us around The City as we explore these lovely landmarks available to all!
de Young Museum
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The always informative de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park showcases Native American artwork from diverse peoples and places, including the Pacific Coast, American Southwest, and Arctic regions of Canada and The United States. The installations, which include ceramics, weavings, carvings, and more, span a region of more than eight hundred years!
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
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Another excellent choice for learning the history of Native American life in the San Francisco Bay Area is found within the San Francisco Maritime Museum near Aquatic Park and Ghiradelli Square. Located centrally within the Visitor Center, a large display highlights how the original inhabitants of Northern California may have initially come in contact with the first Europeans to sail into the bay in 1775. Visit this scenic museum today, just a short stroll from the 1000 Chestnut apartments in Russian Hill!
Totem Pole at The Cliff House
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Carved from a 58 ft. tall cedar log by Canadian Squamish Tribe Chief Mathias Joe Capliano, the “Cliff House Totem Pole” came to San Francisco in 1949, the same year Trinity SF first began building beautiful homes across The City. Although once torn down by a treacherous storm, the pole was rebuilt and remains a unique landmark. Originally commissioned as part of Ocean Beach’s famed former Playland Amusement Park, the totem pole has stood the test of time!
Alcatraz Island
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Like the entirety of the San Francisco Bay Area, Alcatraz Island was occupied by native people 10,000 to 20,000 years before European exploration. Similar to its use in more recent times, Alcatraz was initially used as a place of isolation or ostracization for those who had violated tribal law. Additionally, the island’s geography made it a popular gathering spot for bird eggs and sea life. Following its use as a United States Prison, the island was occupied by various native tribes, who left messages across the island that are still visible today.
The Presidio
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Archeological evidence indicates the Ohlone people first settled in the Presidio of San Francisco around 740 A.D. Organized into over fifty societal tribes around the area, natives established villages near today’s Fort Mason, Crissy Field, and the Sutro Baths. These tribes often moved seasonally around the San Francisco Peninsula for ideal hunting, fishing, and gathering conditions. Explore The Presidio to uncover the many monuments and artifacts created by the first inhabitants of the beautiful Bay Area.
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