The Mural

Dedication and Unveiling of the Native American Mural "We Are Still Here"

The Native American Mural was commissioned by the Cesar Chavez Student Center Governing Board and was dedicated on November 20, 2009. The mural depicts community activism, self determination, resistance and survivance of Native American peoples.

Native American Mural on Campus titled We Are Still Here

Artists: Marc Nicely and Larry Sillaway (2009)

The mural themes include:

  • The connection between the SF State Strike of 1968-69 and the occupation of Alcatraz.
  • Self-determination and political struggle
  • Ohlone tribal nation and other nations indigenous to the Bay Area
  • Intertribal council of male and female leadership
  • Genocide and Holocaust
  • Exploitation and destruction of the land
  • Survivance

Speakers

  • MCs: Dianna Baldwin, (Osage/Kaw/Cherokee) President, S.K.I.N.S
  • & Philip M. Klasky, Department of American Indian Studies (AIS)
  • Opening Blessing by Ann Marie Sayers (Ohlone)
  • Dr. Kenneth Monteiro, Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies
  • Dr. Jake Perea, Dean of the College of Education
  • Dr. Melissa Nelson (Anishinaabe/Métis [Turtle Mountain Chippewa])(AIS)
  • Dr. Andrew Jolivette (Creole/Opelousa/Atakapa)(AIS)
  • Dr. Elizabeth Parent (Athabascan)
  • Aimée Zenzele Barnes, Richard Oakes Multi-Cultural Center
  • Jackie Mendez, Chair, Native American Mural Committee
  • Mike Preston (Winnemum Wintu)
  • Frank Kellum (Choctaw/Chickasaw)
  • Hector Heredia (Apache/Dine’/Yaqui)
  • April McGill (Yuki/Wappo/Wailaki/Little Lake)(AIS/S.K.I.N.S)
  • Michele Maas (Anishinaabe)(Native American Health Center)
  • Mural Artists, Marc Nicely and Larry Sillaway (Yurok)

Mural Committee

  • Jackie Mendez, Committee Chair (M.A. student)
  • April McGill (B.A. student)
  • Diana Baldwin (B.A. student)
  • Melissa K. Nelson (American Indian Studies)
  • Phil Klasky (American Indian Studies)
  • Rebecca Louise Toporek (Department of Counseling)
  • Paul Mendez (College of Education)
  • Alberto Olivares (Student Life)
  • Mario Flores (Project Connect)
  • Frank Kellum
  • Aimee Zenzele Burns (Student Center)
  • Ann Marie Sayers (Indian Canyon)
  • Guy Dalpe (Student Center)
  • Gabriela Segovia-McGahan (American Indian Studies)

Cultural Presentations

  • Dr. John Carlos Perea (Mescalero Apache)(AIS)
  • Kanyon Sayers Roods (Ohlone)
  • Pomo Dancers
  • Eddie Madril (Pascua Yaqui)

Special Guests

  • The Richard Oakes Family

Articles and Resources