San Francisco responds to demands for positive representation of indigenous communities

The Purpose
The City of San Francisco set out to address the issue of public monuments that depict the painful history of genocide, colonialism and the marginalisation of Indigenous peoples. The City also recognised the demands of Indigenous communities for self-determination and positive representation, as well as the need to address controversial monuments in urban centres.

The Challenge
The city needed to address the challenges surrounding public monuments that depict painful histories. The City’s Arts Commission set out to navigate public opinion and concerns while also preserving San Francisco’s Civic Art Collection.

The removal of the Early Days sculpture, which was part of the 1894 Pioneer Monument in San Francisco, was seen as the beginning of a healing process.

The Solution
The removal of the Early Days sculpture, which was part of the 1894 Pioneer Monument in San Francisco, was seen as the beginning of a healing process. The sculpture had been a source of tension and controversy due to its offensive depiction of the Spanish conquest of California and its impact on Native Americans. The removal was a result of a series of public meetings, discussions, and advocacy efforts by the Bay Area’s Native American community. In 2018, the Arts Commission and Historic Preservation Commission voted to remove the sculpture.

The Impact
The sculpture used dated visual stereotypes of Native Americans that are now universally viewed as disrespectful and racist. The removal was witnessed by around 50 members of the Native American community. It was seen as a healing ceremony, addressing historical injustices and achieving positive representation.

Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022

Images Courtesy © Getty/Canva