The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) will host its annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day sunrise gathering on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, honoring Indigenous resistance, cultural resilience and the historic occupation of Alcatraz Island by Indians of All Tribes.
The annual gathering began as an alternative to Columbus Day celebrations and honors the 1969–1971 occupation of Alcatraz by Indians of All Tribes. The occupation protested the forced assimilation of Indigenous peoples, displacement, and the loss of Native lands, languages and cultures.
The IITC’s promotional flyer describes the gathering as a commemoration of “534 years of Indigenous Peoples’ resistance, cultural resiliency, and survival in the Americas,” while honoring Alcatraz as “a sacred historical place for Indigenous peoples in California and around the world.”
Event Information
The gathering will take place on Alcatraz Island, with departures from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing in San Francisco.
- Ticket office opens: 4 a.m.
- Departure times: 4:15 a.m., 4:30 a.m., 5 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. All boats will return to San Francisco by 9:00 a.m.
- Ticket price: $12; children under age 5 are admitted free.
Visitors should dress in layers and bring a light jacket or sweater because weather conditions on Alcatraz Island can change unexpectedly.
Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and the Alcatraz Cruises vessels have accessible boarding areas and restrooms. However, wheelchairs are not available to borrow at the landing or on the island.
For tickets and additional information, visit the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering event page.
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