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| Welcome! Welcome to CIHC Outreach page for the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC)’s hub for online engagement! We believe that all California Indian people 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 CIHC Outreach Commitment 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 CIHC Outreach Initiative took place throughout 2023–2024 and included extensive, statewide engagement with California Indian communities and the public. The resulting CIHC Outreach Findings Reports were released on September 27, 2024, in recognition of California Native American Day. But the conversation doesn’t end here. As the CIHC continues to take shape, there will be ongoing opportunities to share feedback and get involved. Sign up to stay informed and receive future updates about the project. |
Happening Now! |
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Happening Now ...
Phase 1 Welcome Plaza Under Construction!
After Decades of Waiting and Listening...
This moment has been a long time coming. For decades, California Indian peoples and Tribes have shared their voices, stories, and hopes for a place that truly reflects and honors them. Throughout the 2023-2024 18-month statewide outreach initiative, one message was heard again and again: it is finally time for something to happen. Now, that vision is beginning to take shape. While the full California Indian Heritage Center will unfold over future phases, the Welcome Plaza represents an important first step — a place for California Indian peoples to gather, celebrate living cultures, and see themselves reflected in California’s story, past and present.
The voices of California Indian peoples have been heard. The Welcome Plaza is the beginning of a place shaped by that listening and will be open and ready for gathering this Fall 2026!
Here is a link to Governor Newsom's press release about the groundbreaking: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/04/14/california-native-american-tribes-break-ground-for-california-indian-heritage-center/
Information About the Phase 1 Welcome Plaza ...
2023-2024 CIHC Outreach Initiative - Findings Are Complete!
On California Native American Day 2024, September 27, 2024, the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC) Outreach Initiative announced the completion of its 2023–2024 outreach reports. Below are key highlights from the CIHC Outreach Initiative Findings, including background on the outreach strategy, an overview of the process, and key themes and insights shared by participants. Both the full report and a summary version are available at the links below.
[Click Here] to view the"Summary Outreach Findings Report" | [Click Here] to view the"Comprehensive Findings Report" |
Big Picture Summary of Findings
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. 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.”
