Indigenous Cultures Center
Connectivity
Precinct:
1
Location:
San Marcos
The Indigenous Cultures Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the past and present culture of Texas’s Native American groups, collectively known as Coahuiltecans. Located near the Sacred Springs headwaters of the San Marcos River, the Center will have multi-purpose facilities focused on education, community gathering, and active/passive outdoor recreation.
The Indigenous Cultures Institute (ICI) was founded in 2006 by members of the Miakan-Garza Band, one of the over six-hundred bands that resided in Texas and northeastern Mexico. The Coahuiltecans have consistently occupied this area for over 12,000 years. ICI works to preserve the cultures of the Native Americans indigenous to Texas and northern Mexico while maintaining its covenant with sacred sites. The 83rd Legislature recognized the Miakan-Garza Band as a Texas Indian tribe with “immeasurable contributions to the State of Texas.”
The Institute’s Board of Elders, Dr. Mario Garza says, “Our Indigenous community has received $5 million toward successfully completing this historic $10 million project. The center is vital not only to the Central Texas community but also to the entire state.” To support its design, Hays County Commissioners have contributed $250,000 of the Park Bond Funds. Among the architectural design team is Chris T. Cornelius, a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. His work focuses on creating architecture and artifacts that reflect contemporary Indigenous culture while actively challenging stereotypes associated with Indigenous design.
The design team is currently in the conceptual design phase. The next phase is preliminary design, where they will define design specifics. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and be completed by summer 2027.
The Institute’s representatives have stated that they initially sought land that was close to the Sacred Springs headwaters of the San Marcos River and received support from the City of San Marcos and Texas State University which has identified land near the Meadows Center where ICI has held its annual Sacred Springs Powwow.
The Institute will establish a new facility as a hub among shared greenways, parks, and protected waterways of the San Marcos River. ICI aims to be near the Great Springs Trails, linking Barton Springs, Sacred Springs, Comal Springs, and San Pedro Springs, anchoring the Indigenous Cultures Center to historic trails and sacred waters.
The goal of the Indigenous Cultures Center is to benefit the local communities and attract visitors from all over the country. The Center will have multi-purpose facilities focused on education and active/passive outdoor recreation.
Learn more about the Indigenous Cultures Institute and programs: indigenouscultures.org