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Commission recommends expanded American Indian Cultural District boundaries after community support
Summary
After public testimony from American Indian community leaders and Supervisor Ronan's office, the Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended the Board of Supervisors approve an expanded boundary for the American Indian Cultural District and directed staff to clarify mapping language and work with community stakeholders.
The Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 4 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve expanded boundaries for the American Indian Cultural District after hearing testimony from community leaders and a representative of Supervisor Ronan's office.
Shelley, Planning Department staff, told the commission the draft ordinance would extend the district roughly from Seventeenth Street to Sanchez to Market to Dubose and over to Folsom and that staff recommends clarifying whether lots on both sides of boundary streets are included. Shelley said the draft reflects the area originally envisioned by the community and would provide opportunities for interpretive programming and city engagement.
Community leaders and residents urged the commission to adopt the expanded boundaries and to include Mission Dolores Park in the mapping. Mary Travis Allen, a longtime resident and American Indian Cultural District board member, said the expansion is "long overdue" and would help correct historical misrepresentation and support elders and youth. Sharaya, the district's executive director, described the map as consistent with the community's intention and emphasized protecting spaces tied to the Ramaytush Ohlone people, including sites with ancestral remains.
Paul Monge of Supervisor Ronan's office told the commission the narrower boundaries approved earlier in the pandemic reflected a pragmatic step to establish the district and allow deployment of emergency resources; returning now with the expanded boundaries fulfills an earlier agreement and allows access to additional tools for response and recovery.
Commissioner Black moved to recommend approval while directing staff to continue working with the community on mapping and to consider Dolores Park; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously with a recorded 4-0 vote.
Staff and community leaders said the expanded boundaries and additional findings in the ordinance will help the district pursue a cultural-heritage, history and economic sustainability strategy (CHESS) and other programs to support American Indian residents and organizations.
