en.Wedoany.com Reported - California Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom recently announced the groundbreaking of the first phase of the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC). The project is advancing with a $100 million state investment from the Governor's 2018-2019 budget, with the state commissioning Fentress Architects and Amaktoolik Studios for design and construction, and plans to raise an additional $100 million for subsequent phases.
Newsom met with tribal leaders at a tribal summit, after which Siebel Newsom joined over 50 tribal, state, and local leaders for the groundbreaking ceremony. Newsom stated that over the past nearly eight years, he has had the privilege of working with and learning from California Native American tribes across the state, acknowledging past mistakes, correcting them where possible, and building new systems, resources, and programs to help Indigenous communities thrive. The California Indian Heritage Center will be a long-term part of this effort, educating future generations about a fundamental component of the state's heritage.
The center is located on a 51-acre site at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers in West Sacramento. The first phase, expected to be completed by fall 2026, will create an outdoor welcome area featuring cultural and educational information, amphitheater-style seating, restrooms, and parking, open to both tribal and non-tribal communities. This area provides a space for everyone to enjoy the outdoors while reflecting on the diversity, stewardship, expertise, and culture of California's tribes—the original and earliest stewards of this land.
Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari said that 175 years after California's statehood, it can finally be said that the state is fulfilling its commitment to honor the first inhabitants of this land. It is worth the time and effort to ensure that all California Native people see themselves truly respected and as foundational members of this state.
Once completed, the center will invite visitors from around the world to engage with and celebrate the living cultures of California's Native American tribes. Through ongoing consultation and community outreach, tribes have shaped the center's design and future plans, creating a statewide hub for cultural preservation, learning, and land management rooted in Native American values.
