Intertribal Friendship House

The Intertribal Friendship House uses ceremony, cultural traditions, and community connection to promote the ability of American Indian and Alaska Native people to thrive in urban environments. Each year, over 8,000 youth, adults, and elders, residing across five Bay Area counties, participate in the organization’s programs and events. Cultural programs include Native American powwow dance, drumming, beading classes, social events, and ceremonies. This grant to the Intertribal Friendship House aligns with the Performing Arts Program’s Communities strategy.

Intertribal Friendship House is a hub for Bay Area Native Americans of diverse tribal affiliations, providing culturally competent social services, arts and culture programs, and Native American community building and fellowship opportunities. The organization’s arts and culture programs cover a broad array of practices, including drumming classes, regalia making, traditional song and dance instruction, performances, ceremonies, and powwows. In a typical year, the organization offers seven community gatherings, five performances, and 340 classes and workshops that serve 2,600 people. This grant will support Intertribal Friendship House in making organizational adaptations and advance the Performing Arts Program’s Communities strategy.

Intertribal Friendship House is the hub for Native American peoples across the Bay Area, annually engaging more than 10,000 people in a range of social service and cultural programs. Pursuit of inter-generational healing and cultural connection center the organization’s arts and cultural programming through a broad array of practices that include instruction in drum and regalia making, training in traditional song and dance, and offering traditional ceremonies. Renewed support will enable the organization to build on its successful efforts to increase participation in cultural programming, increase staff and board capacity to manage programs and attract donors, and plan for critical capital improvements to its building.