INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER

PROJECT PRESENTATION

▪ Introduce the concept for the Indian Cultural Center project

▪ Recognize design schedule to meet Congressional commitments

▪ Architectural concepts to be presented at November 2003 DAB

▪ Present the Draft Fundraising Plan

Southern Sierra Miwok Tribe in

Yosemite Valley since at least

800 AD

1851 Mariposa Battalion enters

Yosemite Valley

1864 Yosemite Grant created

by President Lincoln

1906 Yosemite Grant

transferred to Federal

Government

INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER AUGUST 2003

A Morning Council on the Merced 1872

.

1920’s Old Village

Indian Camp organized

at present Clinic site in

Yosemite Valley

Prehistoric and Historic

use prior to Village

Indian Village Yosemite Valley

1928 New hospital

constructed and old

Indian Village removed

New Indian Village

(Wahhoga) constructed

1930’s

Last structure razed at

New Indian Village

1969 - one housing unit

savedNew Indian Village 1932

1972 American Indian Council of

Mariposa County (AICMC) formed by

Southern Sierra Miwok Tribe

1977 AICMC asked for use of last

Village as location for a cultural site

1980 General Management Plan

incorporates concept for ICC

1997 Memorandum of Understanding

executed and specifies ICC

2000 Yosemite Valley Plan reaffirms

Indian Cultural Center concept Johnson Residence 1941

Yosemite Fund grant to

American Indian Council of

Mariposa County in 2001

Contract awarded to landscape

architecture Firm of Royston,

Hanamoto, Alley & Abey in

2001

Site concepts developed in

conjunction with AICMC

2001 - 2002Tribal Planning Meeting at ICC Site

In FY 2002 appropriations bill, Congress

directs NPS to commit Flood Funding to

design of ICC in conjunction with Yosemite

Lodge with completion of design by

December 2003

Site Concept for Indian Cultural Center

finalized May 2002

ICC included in Environmental Assessment

for Yosemite Lodge redevelopment to avoid

segmented planning

Draft EA will be released this month Final Report May 2002

ICC Site is located immediately

west of Camp 4 and Yosemite

Lodge

Site of last occupied Indian

Village in Yosemite Valley

Project site has remained

undeveloped for 34 years

Site Location Map – Site Defined in 1997 MOU

ICC PROJECT AREAS:

Modern area (structures constructed by

general contractor)

▪Community building

▪Last extant cabin relocated to site

▪Shade structures for outdoor

gatherings

▪Entry drive and handicap parking

Traditional ceremony area (structures

constructed by Tribe)

▪Sweat lodge

▪Bark houses (umacha or hangii)

▪Round house

Existing Wilson Cabin to be Relocated to ICC Site

Final ICC Site Concept

Honors commitments stated in

GMP and Yosemite Valley

Plan

Encourages the Yosemite

Indian people to practice their

traditional ceremonies in the

park and to share their

traditions, culture and history

with other park visitors

Draft Fundraising Plan

• Based on the 1997 Agreement with AICMC

– Concept Plan paid for by Yosemite Fund

– NPS is paying for design and compliance

– AICMC will fundraise for construction and operation

• Focuses on funding sources that support Native American projects

• Submit final agreement and plan for signature by December 2003

• Begin construction in FY 2006