On Thursday, Alcatraz Island will once again light up before sunrise for the 50th annual Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Sunrise Gathering, better known as “Unthanksgiving.” The pre-dawn ceremony honors the 1969 occupation of the island and the survival of Native nations, filling the courtyard with drumming, prayers, and dance as the first light returns to Yelamu, Ohlone territory.
According to the International Indian Treaty Council, boats are scheduled to depart from Pier 33 approximately every 15 minutes, from around 4:15 to 6:00 AM, with the ticket booth opening early for limited day-of sales. The council also notes that the ceremony will air live on KPFA 94.1 FM and stream on the council’s Facebook page from 6:00 to 8:00 AM.
Most advanced early-morning sailings are already sold out, and organizers are advising people to arrive well before dawn. SFist reports that heavy crowds are expected and that a limited batch of walk-up tickets, around 500, could be released at the box office the morning of the event. The official concessioner also keeps an event page with the schedule and ticket details for anyone checking plans at the last minute.
The Occupation That Sparked It
The Sunrise Gathering traces its roots to the Indians of All Tribes' occupation of Alcatraz, which lasted from November 20, 1969, to June 11, 1971. That 19-month protest helped galvanize modern Native rights organizing. The National Park Service describes the occupation as a turning point in Indigenous activism, noting the lasting cultural and political legacy it left on the island.
How To Watch If You Can't Go
If you are not making the trip out in the dark, KPFA will carry the program live and later archive the broadcast on its website. Meanwhile, the International Indian Treaty Council will simulcast video on its Facebook page, allowing remote listeners and viewers to hear the songs and speeches still.
