SomArts Cultural Center
934 Brannan Street (between 8th & 9th Streets), in The Bay Gallery, San Francisco

Watch the Youtube Videos of the AIM for Freedom Reception

AIM-WEST, an affiliate of the American Indian Movement, and now officially based in San Francisco, is pleased to present in the Bay Area, AIM for Freedom. A 40 year Photography and Art Retrospective Exhibit.

The AIM ‘40 Year’s Retrospective’ begins Tuesday, July 8, through July 31, 2008.

At the core of the movement is Indian leadership under the direction of NeeGawNwayWeeDun (Clyde H. Bellecourt), Nowa-Cumig (Dennis Banks), and others. The women in the movement like Janet McCloud, Agnes Lamont, and Mary Jean Wilson have had a key role in AIM’s development from the beginning. Indian people were never intended to survive the settlement of Europeans in the Western Hemisphere, our Turtle Island. The liberation of Wounded Knee in 1973 was the catalyst raising the consciousness of the entire world that Indigenous peoples are still alive in the USA, and are willing to die for their right to the land and their way of life. Wounded Knee was the last military challenge by Native Americans with the U.S. Army to this day.

From Alcatraz Island to Washington D.C. future AIM members have left their mark! By asserting their right to self-determination American Indians today can hold their heads up and say they have a place at the table, to include economic independence with the creation of casino enterprises. With the strength of a spiritual base, AIM has been able to clearly articulate the claims of Native Nations and has had the will and intellect to put forth those claims. AIM develops partnerships with an array of allies to address the common needs of the Native Peoples. Its first mandate is to ensure the fulfillment of treaties made with the United States. This is the clear and unwavering vision of The American Indian Movement.

Artists and Photographers include:
Dick Bancroft: Documentary photographer who has chronicled AIM actions since 1971.
Ilka Hartmann: Internationally acclaimed Bay Area photographer.
Michelle Vignes: Long time photo-journalist will feature photographs from her book Indiens d’Amerique.
Dave Cordova: Photographer currently on Longest Walk II.

PHOTO: Columbus Day – a day of mourning. San Francisco, 1969 (© Michelle Vignes)