Supporting Native People in Urban Communities: Meet the Intertribal Friendship House (IFH)
Intertribal Friendship House (IFH) was established in 1955 by the American Friends Service Committee to serve American Indian people that were relocated from reservations to the San Francisco Bay Area. It is one of the oldest urban Native American community centers in the United States. Today, IFH’s mission is to promote the ability of Native people to thrive in an urban environment through ceremony, traditions, and cultural connection to provide a safe environment to strengthen cultural identity, promote health, inter-generational healing, and support the development of extended family.
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. For urban Native people, IFH serves as an Urban Reservation and Homeland. In many cases, it is one of the few places that keeps them connected to their culture and traditions through pow wow dance, drumming, beading classes, and the many social gatherings, cultural events, and ceremonies that are held there. Intertribal Friendship House is more than an organization, it is the heart of a vibrant intertribal community.
What key moments defined your collective leadership?
IFH looks towards community leaders and members to direct the agency’s approach and delivery of services, not allowing funders and governmental grants to dictate how and what is provided to the community. IFH continues to support and encourage leadership contributions from community members by asking for their input for cultural events, classes, and ceremonies. With the community’s direction, IFH can promote a diverse set of tribal traditions and teachings making IFH a place where many have a sense of belonging and their voice matters.
IFH’s mission and programming foster an environment for collaboration and collective leadership. Community members feel comfortable not just as program participants, but as partners in program enhancement and development. IFH provides a space for our community members to feel liberated from the exploitation of mainstream society, free to embody their indigenous identities, practice their traditions, and reconnect with other Natives. Through this liberation, community members find their role in cultivating IFH’s future, whether they work in our garden, become leaders in our regular drum and dance practices, or organize events to bring more awareness to political issues that threaten the well-being of our communities near or far.
What community-driven projects have your organization spearheaded that you are all proud of?
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What does Indigenous justice look like? How is your work embodied?
Our community has experienced cumulative emotional and psychological wounding caused by historical and intergenerational trauma and its negative consequences across generations. This wounding impacts the spiritual, cultural, physical, and economic health of our IFH community. For Native youth and families, lived trauma compounds historical trauma as they are bombarded by negative stereotypes in media, school, and work. The stress of acculturation and experiences of racial discrimination contributes to physical and mental health disparities among Native youth.
Research on Native youth mental health and suicide prevention tells us that connection to culture and community are two major protective factors against suicide. Resilience studies have also found that protective factors for young people also include positive, sustained relationships with friends and family, a strong belief in the effectiveness of their own actions, and high self-esteem. The work that IFH does with the community directly contributes to Native resilience by fostering a positive self-image and pride in being Native American. IFH is a great proponent of Native American culture. Certain ceremonies and gatherings can bring healing to a whole community. Healing is one of the end results of Indigenous Justice. When a community feels heard, seen, and cared for that is when justice has been restored. The work we do is social justice.
How does your community motivate each other to move forward in adversity?
The Bay Area Native community takes action when helping other community members overcome challenges and hurdles. Just as a large family function, the community in the Bay Area is the same with added consistency. Agencies and local leaders host consistent cultural ceremonies, memorials, events, and classes. Folks come together to share meals, resources, and necessities. Families open their homes to those passing through or needing a place to sleep. Prayers and medicines are in abundance if needed. The Bay Area Native community creates a sense of belonging and genuine care for one another. IFH holds a Wiping of The Tears ceremony to heal from loss and grief. IFH has been a touchstone for the Bay Area Native American community for 68 years, IFH’s continued existence and growth are a testament to the tenacity of the community.
What are your future inclusive goals?
Through our programs, we reach back to our indigenous ways to respond to the problems of today – creating innovative models of community wellness. Our primary objective is to grow and sustain our cultural and intergenerational healing programs. These programs provide a cultural connection through pow wow dancing, drumming, beading, cultural workshops, traditional foods, ceremonies, targeted youth leadership development, and gatherings for elders, families, and youth. Focusing on cultural ceremonies, events, teachings, and offerings to the community near and far. Holding in-person events as well as virtual events, so one can stay connected no matter where they may be in the world. IFH always has culture at the forefront of our goals. Native American traditions and customs have always been and will always be inclusive to those that share indigenous roots. Inclusiveness is not a new concept for our communities. From time in memorial, we have always encouraged, supported, created, and respected human roles and mother earth’s role within our world. From the roles of the babies to the elders; from animals to plants, our traditions make room for each person, animal, living creature, place, and object to hold a role in the community.
We plan to grow our existing programs and develop new ones that target historical trauma. Indigenous cultural practices, access to traditional ceremonies, and overall access to Native American programs are critical for healing from trauma and for improving the health of our community. A stronger ethnic identity increases a sense of purpose in life and psychological well-being for Indigenous people. For Native youth, having access to a safe space to seek support, connect to community, practice cultural traditions, and sustain a strong ethnic identity are known to be protective factors for mental and physical health well into adulthood. All our programs are built around cultural elements, and we have a proven track record of impacting the community with culturally sensitive programs that enhance our members’ well-being and help create a positive cultural environment for themselves and their families. IFH operates under the motto, “Community Is Good Medicine,” recognizing that an individual’s connection to the community is crucial in providing a holistic support system.
"Indigenous cultural practices, access to traditional ceremonies, and overall access to Native American programs are critical for healing from trauma and for improving the health of our community.'' And if I may selfishly add for the healing of the Americas. The picture of the children--our future--is priceless.