Native American Heritage Month in the Bay Area

The Native American Health Center hosts activities and events, including an annual Gala. Photo courtesy of Native American Health Center. 

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every November to acknowledge the rich cultures, traditions and achievements of Indigenous Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and affiliated Island communities. Thankfully, there are many ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in the Bay Area, from enjoying delicious cuisine to creating your own shield or Chimalli with traditional designs. Check out our list of BARTable ways to honor Native Americans this November and all year long. Don’t forget your Clipper card!

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

Enjoy Native American cuisine near BART

Chef Crystal Wahpehpah of Wahpehpah's Kitchen. Photo courtesy of Wahpehpah's Kitchen.

Wahpehpah's Kitchen | Fruitvale

Chef Crystal Wahpehpah, the first Native American to compete on "Chopped," created Wahpehpah's Kitchen in 2021. The menu rotates seasonally, blending local ingredients with traditional Native flavors. Wahpehpah's Kitchen welcomes guests Wednesday through Saturday, sharing a taste of Kickapoo and African American heritage with East Bay flair. Take BART to Fruitvale for unique dishes like berry salmon salad, smoked squash tacos, and acorn crepes, which are only 0.2 miles away at 3301 E 12th St. 

Café Ohlone in Berkeley. Photo courtesy of Café Ohlone. 

Café Ohlone | Downtown Berkeley

Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino created the Café Ohlone in downtown Berkeley, representing the East Bay Ohlone and Rumsen Ohlone communities. Located at the Hearst Museum, this one-of-a-kind café with flavors deeply rooted in Ohlone history and culture educates and honors the Ohlone culinary tradition, focusing on local and sustainable ingredients. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley to enjoy quail eggs with sturgeon caviar, venison backstrap with wild mushrooms and much more 0.8 miles away at Bancroft Way and College Ave.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month at BARTable Libraries

Head to Berkeley Public Library — North Branch to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Photo courtesy of Architectural Resources Group. 

Berkeley Public Library — North Branch | North Berkeley 

The Berkeley Public Library is a great resource for year-round learning about Ohlone and Indigenous Heritage. Plus, they are offering educational and exciting events this November. Check out Chími Nu’am: Indigenous Californian Cooking for Families to learn how to gather and process acorns into acorn flour to make acorn pumpkin muffins 1 mile from North Berkeley. Check out the entire library event schedule here.

The Native American Poetry Celebration at the San Francisco Public Library honors Native and Indigenous Cultures. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite. 

San Francisco Public Library | Civic Center/UN Plaza

To celebrate Native American Heritage Month in the Bay Area this month, check out the Native American Poetry Celebration at the San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita Kim Shuck works closely with the San Francisco Public Library and the San Francisco Arts Commission to launch major citywide initiatives to honor Native American Indigenous Peoples' heritage. Her poetry draws on her multiethnic background, which includes Polish and Cherokee heritage, and her experiences as a lifelong resident of San Francisco. At this event, she invites Linda Noel, Mona Webb, Paul Corman-Roberts and special guests to celebrate Native poets. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza for an afternoon of poetry 0.1 miles away at 100 Larkin St. 

The Walnut Creek branch of the Contra Costa Library has fun family-friendly events to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Photo courtesy of Contra Costa County Library. 

Contra Costa County Library — Walnut Creek Branch | Walnut Creek

Enjoy Native American Heritage Month in the Bay Area at the Contra Costa County Library on Nov. 3 with Café Ohlone for Kids. Spend an afternoon with Cafe Ohlone co-founders Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino and learn about Ohlone culture and how to play their favorite Ohlone game. On Nov. 14, more learning opportunities arise, such as the chance to discover the Native American tribe of the Cheyenne and the Mexica indigenous people of Mexico. At this event, you can create your own shield or Chimalli. Take BART to Walnut Creek Station for multiple cultural events 0.6 miles away at 1644 N Broadway.

Attend Native American cultural events near BART

Explore activities and events at the Native American Health Center. Photo courtesy of Gunkel Architecture. 

Native American Health Center | 12th St/Oakland City Center, 16th St Mission, Fruitvale

The Native American Health Center is a one-of-a-kind non-profit organization serving the Bay Area Native population and underserved communities since 1972. Additionally, they host several activities and events, like sewing groups, beading groups, movie matinees and more. Check out their Indigenous Red Market and their Nov. 14, 2024 Gala Celebration. The Gala is at BLOC 15, 0.8 miles from 12th St/Oakland City Center. At the same time, the San Francisco beading group, coffee drop-ins, Friday morning movie matinees and more are 0.1 miles from 16th St Mission at 160 Capp St at the Native American Health Center. For more locations, take BART to Fruitvale and find services 0.5 miles away at 2950 International Blvd. and 0.4 miles away at 3124 International Blvd.

The American Indian Cultural Center hosts many events throughout the year. Photo courtesy of American Indian Cultural Center.

American Indian Cultural Center | 16th St. Mission

The American Indian Center of San Francisco was established in 1968 to improve and promote the well-being, culture and presence of the city's American Indian cultures. They offer a number of cultural programs and events throughout the year. Don’t miss their American Indian Heritage Night on Nov. 7. Take BART to 16th St Mission to reach the center, 0.1 miles away at 1863 Mission St.

The Intertribal Friendship House celebrates Native traditions in the Bay Area. Photo courtesy of Intertribal Friendship House.

Intertribal Friendship House | Lake Merritt

The Intertribal Friendship House (IFH) was established in 1955 to support Native people who had relocated to the Bay Area. IFH is open to all and serves as an "Urban Reservation," connecting Native individuals from various tribes to their heritage through cultural events, classes and gatherings. It remains a vibrant cultural center and a vital space for preserving and celebrating Native traditions and communities in the Bay Area. Check here for upcoming events. Take BART to Lake Merritt, 0.9 miles away at 523 International Blvd.

Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits. Photo courtesy of Horizons Foundation. 

Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits | 16th St Mission

Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the wellness and cultural expression of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer individuals within Native American and First Nations communities. Not only does it provide a safe, alcohol and drug-free space for LGBT Native Americans, but BAAITS also hosts culturally relevant activities. Check out upcoming programs at BAAITS. Take BART to 16th St Mission for events this Native American Heritage Month, just 0.2 miles away at 415 Valencia St.

What is your favorite way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in the Bay Area near BART?

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