The Continuous Thread: Celebrating Our Interwoven Histories, Identities and Contributions

Bay Area's Indigenous Community Takes Center Stage in New Initiative

From October 4 to December 14, the San Francisco Arts Commission’s ambitious American Indian Initiative celebrates the culture and contributions of ocal Indigenous Peoples. "The Continuous Thread: Celebrating Our Interwoven Histories, Identities and Contributions" includes more than 16 public events including exhibitions, a temporary light-art project, community celebrations, concerts, a film festival, a fashion show and more.

The initiative began over the weekend of April 5, 2019, when more than 150 members of the local the American Indian community were photographed by Hulleah Tsinhnahjinnie, Jean Melesaine, and Britt Bradley, centered around the Pioneer Monument, specifically the empty plinth where the Early Days sculptural grouping once stood.

Here's a selection of some of the upcoming events. For more, visit sfartscommission.org

October 4 - December 14

The Continuous Thread: Celebrating Our Interwoven Histories, Identities and Contributions

SFAC Main Gallery

This exhibition features the photographic works of Hulleah Tsinhnahjinnie, Jean Melesaine, and Britt Bradley. The exhibition highlights the local Indigenous Peoples through visual and multi-media formats.

October 4 - October 11

Reclaiming Space: Projected Portraits of the American Indian Community Fulton Street, San Francisco Main Library and Asian Art Museum. Starting at dusk.

Powerful and dignified portraits of the local Indigenous Community by Jean Melesaine, will be projected onto the walls of the San Francisco Main Library and Asian Art Museum, facing the Pioneer Monument. These potent images help reclaim public space for Indigenous Peoples and project hope for a more equitable future.

October 14

Indigenous Peoples Day Music and Arts Festival

Yerba Buena Gardens

This day marks the one-year anniversary of San Francisco’s Indigenous Peoples Day and removal of the Early Days sculpture from Pioneer Monument located in San Francisco’s Civic Center. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival celebrates with Native American art, music and vendors. The event will feature Pura Fe, Jonathan Cordero (Ramaytush Ohlone) and performances by Pamyua (Inuit), Hip Hop and media artist Ronnie Dean Harris aka Ostwelve (Sto:lo) and Raye Zaragoza (Akimel O’otham descent).

October 10 - December 4

Native American Heritage Month at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

An exhibition of portraits from the Early Days photo shoot will be exhibited on the mezzanine level of Terminal 3, while shorts by Native American filmmakers will be presented at SFO Museum’s Video Arts screening room in the International Terminal Departures Lobby. Both exhibitions are located pre-security and are available to all airport visitors.

November 22

Honoring 50 years of Activism, featuring Buffy Sainte-Marie

Herbst Theater

This celebration will feature acclaimed recording artist Buffy Sainte-Marie and will honor activists that have led various Indigenous resistance movements over the last 50 years.

October 26 – November 30

Native American Heritage Month,

San Francisco Public Library

The San Francisco Arts Commission will partner with the Public Library to curate an exhibition and related programming featuring weekly Poetry Jams led by Poet Laureate Kim Shuck.

Full events details at sfartscommission.org