One of the great projects planned for the Parkway, which we were alone in supporting among Parkway groups and even County Parks came out against it, is this center, which promises to become one of the area’s premier cultural attractions.
“As Sacramento is central to the present and future of all Californians, so is the California Heritage Center to the traditions, present and future, of all original people of this land.” - Jack Norton (Hupa/Cherokee)
The California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC) honors the diversity and history of California Indian people by preserving cultural and tribal traditions, nurturing contemporary expressions, and facilitating research and education for California, the nation, and the world.
The CIHC will be world class in both content and design. The design will reflect Indian values in form, materials and the Center’s placement on the land. Plans for the facility include formal exhibit galleries for historic and contemporary exhibitions and programs. The Center will house the State’s extensive collections of California Indian baskets and other cultural treasures and will provide a research center, meeting rooms, shop and food service facilities. The grounds will be restored to their natural state and will accommodate seasonal outdoor programs and ceremonial areas for special events and traditional gatherings.
The CIHC will fill a long standing need in the state, serving Native and non-Native people. It will be a place where Indian people can come together, celebrate and preserve their past, and promote the continuation of their traditions. It will also be a place where all Californians can learn about the history and contemporary life of the state’s indigenous people. The California Indian Heritage Center will be a destination for tourists from around the world to learn about Native American culture in California.
The Future of the CIHC
2006 through 2007 - A Business and Management Plan will be written describing the non-profit organization that will define the partnerships between California Indian people and California State Parks. It will also address governance, staffing, communication and marketing, and fund raising for the development and operation of the Center.
2006 through 2007 – The Site and Facility Master Plan of the future CIHC will be completed. Architectural renderings and site plans will tie the Center to the Sacramento riverfront.
Summer 2007 – The Capital Campaign can begin.
