The Sanctuary City Project podcast series has so far explored Sergio de la Torre’s work, The Sanctuary City Project, in collaboration with Galería at 2205 Mission Street by discussing the concept of sanctuary, archiving first hand experiences through art and practice, and looking at migration through a non homogenous lens. In this second installation of the series we will be speaking to two guests that are leading the way in honoring the history, culture and contribution of the American Indian community in the Mission District of San Francisco. There are constant reminders that colonization is ongoing and continues to adversely affect Indigenous people of the Bay Area. The inequities and erasure have led to organizing efforts in the San Francisco community to establish “a recognized home base for the American Indian community”, one that “ensures that American Indian history and contributions will not be forgotten or overwritten.” Speaking on these efforts on establishing sanctuary for the American Indian community, the importance of solidarity, and maintaining cultural practices are the Executive Director of the American Indian Cultural District, Sharaya Souza, and the Executive Director of the American Indian Cultural Center, April McGill.

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Hasta ahora, el podcast Sanctuary City Project Series ha explorado el trabajo de Sergio de la Torre, llamado The Sanctuary City Project, en colaboración con Galería en el edificio 2205 Mission Street. Hemos discutido el concepto de santuario, la importancia de archivar experiencias de primera mano a través del arte, y el significado de entender la migración a través de un lente no homogéneo. En esta segunda instalación de la serie, hablaremos con dos invitadas que luchan por honrar y reclamar la historia, la cultura y la contribución de la comunidad Indígena Americana en el Distrito de la Misión de San Francisco. Tenemos constantes recordatorios que la colonización sigue en curso y continúa afectando negativamente a los pueblos indígenas, incluyendo aqui en el Área de la Bahía. Las desigualdades y la historia borrada han llevado a organizar esfuerzos en la comunidad de San Francisco para establecer "una base de operaciones reconocida para la comunidad indígena americana", una que "garantice que la historia y las contribuciones de los pueblos indígenas americanos no serán olvidadas o sobrescritas". Nos acompañan la Directora Ejecutiva del Distrito Cultural Indígena Americano, Sharaya Souza, y la Directora Ejecutiva del Centro Cultural Indígena Americano, April McGill. Ellas hablaran sobre sus esfuerzos para establecer un santuario para la comunidad y pueblos indígena americana, la importancia de la solidaridad comunitaria y su esfuerzo para protejer y mantener prácticas culturales de sus pueblos.

From its inception, Sanctuary City Project has aimed to engage audiences in creating and spreading stories of migration deeply informed by the community’s participation and contributions in direct relation to their lived experiences. Through interactive installations, mobile print shops, and public art interventions, artists Sergio de la Torre and Chris Treggiari have collected and archived over 700 responses to questions that reflect on the notion of sanctuary. Responses to these questions have been collected and turned into posters, banners and public art projects.

Galería de la Raza is thrilled to partner with Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) to temporarily activate the 2205 Mission Street façade with The Sanctuary City Project. Installed on a site used by the local Mission community as a vending hub, as well as a site earmarked for future affordable housing, this public art intervention will center community dialogue around the politics of sanctuary and who gets counted in this country.

As we enter a contentious election season on top of a global pandemic that has disproportionately affected Brown, Black, and Indigenous communities, and the ongoing calls for racial justice and police defunding, The Sanctuary City Project highlights the importance of public space as instrumental for mobilization and essential to our community’s mental and physical well being during abnormal times. Through this public art intervention we aim to provide a moment of respite while also joining local and national conversations that concern our communities.

Taken from the October 16th livestream, Opportunity for All! - Vote Nov. 3rd, hosted by Galería de la Raza & Chicana Latina Foundation!

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The time is now! Voting has begun and we must mobilize our communities. Galería de la Raza & Chicana Latina Foundation have partnered to host “Opportunity for All”, a conversation to discuss the upcoming election and the impact of Prop 16 on our communities. We will hear from a panel of leaders committed to change in the fight for social justice. Together let us amplify our voices, needs and dreams! Let our vote echo through the government chambers and be counted.

Moderator:
Olga Talamante, Board Member & Executive Director Emeritus, Chicana Latina Foundation

Speakers:
Sandra R. Hernández, M.D., Public Health Leader

Debra Gore-Mann, President and CEO, Greenlining Institute

Vincent Pan, Co-Executive Director, Chinese for Affirmative Action

Christina Fletes-Romo, Civil Rights Attorney, ACLU