Participate & Follow
Welcome to CIHC Outreach page for the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC)’s hub for online engagement! We believe that all California Native Americans have a voice in the development of the CIHC. Whether it's innovative ideas, personal experiences, or constructive criticism - we invite you to join the conversation and help shape the future of the CIHC.
About the Community Outreach Initiative
In alignment with the CIHC ‘Statement of Vision,’ the CIHC is being developed “Under the guidance of California Indian People.” This guiding principle not only underscores but also celebrates the central role that California Indian communities play in shaping the CIHC. Their voices, perspectives, and needs are not just considered, but are integral to the project’s success, making them invaluable and integral to the project’s success.
The most recent outreach initiative was conducted in 2023-2024 and involved a wide-reaching and extensive engagement. The Findings Reports documenting the results of this outreach are now available as of September 27, 2024--California Native American Day 2024. Input and information gathering is not over though. Throughout the development of CIHC, there will be many more opportunities to provide feedback and participate. Sign up to receive updates about the project.
2023-2024 CIHC Outreach Initiative - Findings Are In!
As of September 27, 2024, on California Native American Day 2024, the CIHC Outreach Initiative is happy to announce the completion of the 2023-2024 outreach initiative reports. Below are some highlights from the CIHC Outreach Initiative Findings including background on the initial strategy, the process of the outreach, and key results from participants and findings. The full report and summary report are available for viewing by clicking the links below.
Comprehensive Findings Report
Summary Findings Report
Comments or Questions About the CIHC Outreach Findings
Do you have a comment or question about the CIHC Outreach Findings? We welcome your input. Please visit our Guest Forum to share your ideas or send your questions by clicking the following link: CIHC Outreach Guest Feedback Forum or scan the QR code below.
Coloring Continues!
#MyCaliAcornArt Coloring remains open! Coloring pages from the "Acorn Coloring Artbook" will remain available for download. Visit our #MyCaliAcornArt page to see many of the beautiful art completed and shared throughout the 2023-2024 Outreach Initiative. The #MyCaliAcornArt page will remain open, and we would love to see more art uploaded and shared. Here are the 7 original acorn art pages created for the CIHC Outreach Initiative by California Indian artists from across the state.
Sample of some of the submitted colored art pages
Behind the Design of the Outreach Brand
The acorn is representative of California Native American cultural landscapes and symbolic of the commonalities and differences of Native American tribes and people. Where acorns grow, how they are picked, the vessels that carry them, and the techniques of processing them for food or adornment, are all part of the distinctive traditions and culture of California Native Americans. Acorns are a symbolic reminder of traditional values. As one of our artists shared, “Acorns are as unique as our traditions … and our traditions are as unique as our acorns,” — Meyo Marrufo. The design of the logo art is meant to represent Outreach throughout the state and its vast regions. The acorns and leaves represent the variety of species found across the state. Artist Eric Wilder’s purposeful design is described this way: “The outreach center starts at the inside circle and follows outward through each acorn, through each leaf and its veins. The inner triangles, or arrowhead points, face outward, representing outreach, while the inward-facing arrowheads represent input from the outreach. These inward and outward facing arrowheads that are common forms of our basketry, here represent collaboration and sharing.”
