AN HISTORIC EVENT ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1996
The National Indian Justice Center will celebrate the establishment of the
California Indian Museum and Cultural Center and the Golden Gate Institute
for Indigenous Cultures at the Presidio of San Francisco. The ceremony will
begin at Pershing Square (on Graham, between Sheridan and Moraga) at noon.
It will include displays of California Indian Art and Crafts as well as
performances by traditional Indian dance groups. For more information,
please call 415/255-4246.
"On May 25, 1996 the National Indian Justice Center officially
established the California Indian Museum and the Golden Gate Institute for
Indigenous Cultures at the Presidio in San Francisco. This former Army Post
is world renowned for its spectacular beauty and historical significance.
What is less well known is that its creation by the Spanish in 1776 came at
a grave cost to the area's indigenous people.
"Contact with Europeans brought disease and cultural destruction to the
native population. The Presidio itself was built on land taken without
compensation and, in large part, by forced Indian labor. Thus, the
establishment of these Native American projects in the Presidio marks an
important turning point in the history of both the Presidio and of
California Indians.
"With the acceptance of the National Indian Justice Center as a Park
Partner, and the establishment of the California Indian Museum and the
Golden Gate Institute, Native Americans have returned to the Presidio as
full partners in the endeavor to create a world class urban park. This
presents an exciting and positive means to begin to heal the wounds of the
past, and to promote greater understanding and appreciation of the richness
of California Indian history and culture." [reprinted from brochure]
The National Indian Justice Center is a non-profit organization, dedicated
to improving the quality of life and justice in Indian country.
The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center and the Golden Gate
Institute for Indigenous Cultures are designated as an Approved
Sesquicentennial Activity by the California Gold Discovery to Statehood