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Historic Preservation Commission backs American Indian Cultural District, asks supervisors to add historic names and outreach steps
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended the Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance creating an American Indian Cultural District in the northwestern Mission, asking that prior names for the American Indian Cultural Center be recorded and that the CHESS process include broader outreach, oral histories and an educational component.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Dec. 18 recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance establishing an American Indian Cultural District in the northwestern Mission, forwarding three specific recommendations aimed at broadening community involvement.
The commission voted unanimously to transmit the ordinance as recommended by planning staff but asked that the Board of Supervisors (1) identify earlier historic names for the American Indian Cultural Center in the ordinance text, (2) strengthen CHESS (Cultural History, Housing and Economic Sustainability Strategy) process requirements to ensure inclusive, community-led outreach and (3) explicitly incorporate oral histories and an educational component into CHESS materials.
Paul Monke, a legislative aide to Supervisor Ronen, told commissioners the district is intended to "shine light and provide attention and resources on a community that has long been a part of the fabric of this land," and described the district as responding to displacement and gentrification in the Mission. Shelley Caltagrone of preservation staff summarized the draft ordinance and the department—s role: the ordinance would amend the administrative code, set district boundaries and require the Mayor—s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) to submit the CHESS report and recommendations. The CHESS report deadline in the staff report was January 2021.
Alison Verner Slice, who manages the department—s archaeological and cultural resources program, explained how tribal cultural resource consultation is handled under CEQA and AB 52. Verner Slice said the department notifies local Native Americans listed with the state Native American Heritage Commission and that the AB 52 tribal cultural resources process outlines consultation steps and possible mitigation including collaborative interpretation.
Public commenters and cultural-district advocates urged more inclusive outreach. Melba Maldonado of La Raza Community Resource Center said she had strong ties to the Native American Center on Valencia and described the district as an opportunity "to honor the legacy of the American Indian community in San Francisco." Shreya, who identified herself as working with the American Indian Cultural District and with prior experience at the Native American Heritage Commission, listed steps for an inclusive CHESS process, including timelines, targeted outreach to culturally affiliated tribes and coordinated consultation with local organizations. Mario Demira of Soma Filipinas said his district stood in solidarity with the indigenous community.
Commissioners repeatedly pressed staff on who would lead community engagement and whether the ordinance would create landmarks. Staff replied the department lacks a full historical context statement for contemporary Native Americans in San Francisco and recommended resources be dedicated to creating that statement, which would inform any landmark recommendations while leaving the cultural-district community process to nominate potential landmarks.
The commission—s motion asked staff to transmit the ordinance with the suggested clarifications and recommended best practices for the CHESS process. The motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The commission—s action was a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors; it did not by itself create the district.
