| Intertribal Friendship House | |
| Type: | Non-profit cultural organization |
| Founded Date: | 1955 |
| Location: | 523 International Boulevard Oakland, CA 94606 |
| Key People: | Sophia Taula-Lieras, Iona Mad Plume, Janet King, Bonney Hartley, Maria Garcia, Vida Castaneda, Mindy Woolbert |
| Area Served: | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Services: | Social services, education, cultural programming |
The Intertribal Friendship House (IFH) of Oakland is one of the oldest Native American-focused urban resource and community organizations in the United States. Founded in 1955, IFH was created by local residents, similarly to American Indian Center in Chicago. Beginning in 1952, the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) supported a plan to relocate Native Americans to urban areas, further encouraged by the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. The IFH continues to offer educational activities, elder and youth programs, holiday meals, counseling for social services, space for community meetings, conferences, receptions, memorials, and family affairs.[1] [2] According to author Ed Vulliamy, 90% of Native Americans in California, "of which the majority are not indigenous California tribes," currently "live in cities."[3]
Organizations and institutions, especially of the San Francisco Bay Area that at some point were or are currently related to or affiliated with IFH include: