On The M List: Essential Programs and Organizations for Native American Youth in the SF Bay Area

In honor of National Indigenous Heritage Month, we're excited to share a community-sourced roundup that's particularly close to our hearts. A member in our community asked about programs for Native American youth in the SF Bay Area, with an emphasis on culture, nature, and traditional medicine. Your generous contributions have helped us compile a list of valuable resources.

Whether you're actively seeking these programs or simply looking to learn more during this important month, we hope this information proves helpful. The resources are listed alphabetically, and for more details, you can click through to their profiles on the M List.

Curious about the whole discussion? Read the original full conversation in The Mamahood’s San Francisco Bay Area forum here.

American Indian Child Resource Center

The American Indian Child Resource Center (AICRC) is an American Indian led, American Indian serving, 501(c)3 non-profit community service organization focusing on American Indian foster care, mental health, education & cultural protective factors. AICRC was founded in 1974 and is an established leading organization in American Indian youth services and delivering best practice programs for positive cultural identity and belonging.

Find full details on the M List

CURYJ

CURYJ (pronounced 'courage') unlocks the leadership of young people to dream beyond bars. We look to young people to lead the way in transforming our communities by investing in their healing, aspirations, and activism.

Find full details on the M List

Friendship House Association of American Indians

Our team is dedicated to stopping the cycle of dysfunction that has been passed down from one generation to the next. As American Indians ourselves, we bring a cultural insight and sensitivity to our work that fosters trust, understanding, and accountability with our clients.  Many of those struggling with substance abuse and other related issues are our friends, neighbors, and tribal members.

Find full details on the M List

International Indian Treaty Council

The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific working for the Sovereignty and Self Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Rights, Treaties, Traditional Cultures and Sacred Lands.

Find full details on the M List

Intertribal Friendship House

Intertribal Friendship House (IFH) located in Oakland, CA was established in 1955 as one of the first urban American Indian community centers in the nation. It was founded by the American Friends Service Committee to serve the needs of American Indian people relocated from reservations to the San Francisco Bay Area. The Bay Area American Indian community is multi-tribal, made of Native people and their descendants—those who originate here and those who have come to the Bay region from all over the United States and from other parts of this hemisphere.

Find full details on the M List

Native American Health Center

Native American Health Center (NAHC) is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center proudly serving California’s Bay Area Native Population and other underserved communities. Caring for the Bay Area since 1972, NAHC has worked at local, state, and federal levels to deliver resources and services for the urban Native community. As an Urban Indian Health Project through our relationship with the Indian Health Service (IHS), we are dedicated to providing high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, community wellness, and social service programs.

Find full details on the M List

SNAG Magazine

SNAG's mission provides Native youth the opportunity to achieve balance and harmony, address historical and modern grievances, and explore and develop leadership and community skills through arts and cultural expression. Through a holistic approach that combines spirituality, tradition and multi-media skills, we aim to shape the next generation of Native leaders.

Find full details on the M List

Sogorea Te' Land Trust

Sogorea Te’ Land Trust cultivates rematriation. Sogorea Te’ calls on us all to heal and transform the legacies of colonization, genocide, and patriarchy and to do the work our ancestors and future generations are calling us to do.

Find full details on the M List

We R Native

We R Native. We Can Change Our World. Help spread positive vibes and create positive change in your communities using #weRnative. -We R Native

“Check out We R Native. It’s a nonprofit based in Portland area but they have phenomenal resources and connections. Great user friendly interactive dashboard to get information and connect with others. I did my research study on inequality in healthcare for native youth and this was one of the best resources I found.” -Shaina Whitney / Mamahood Member

Find full details on the M List

Read the original thread (and more) in The Mamahood’s SF Bay Area forum:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/160635350641172/posts/6845146865523287

Heather Anderson