With the 8th annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly steadily approaching, we would like to highlight some of the amazing vendors who will be returning this year.
Since our first annual Indigenous People’s Day Celebration in 2017, vendors have been essential to IPD Philly’s annual celebrations. We have been featuring skilled Native artists from across Turtle Island (North American continent) and South America. Centuries of settler-colonialism across the Americas and ongoing Indigenous interactions have shaped present-day Lenapehoking (northeast Turtle Island) into a home for numerous Indigenous communities.
The IPD Philly 2024 vendor line-up reflects these diverse geographic histories–Kungi Sapa Moccasins & Crafts is from the Lakhota territory, or central regions of Turtle Island. Nocheztli and Tenangos Philly are vendors from Mexico or Southern regions Turtle Island. Richie Olivera Flutes and Native Crafts are vendors from South America. Project Antelope includes Indigenous artists from all over the world.
Project Antelope
Project Antelope is an unique online marketplace created by several Indigenous entrepreneurs. It provides “Indigenous artists [from North America] and around the world a sophisticated online platform on which to sell their work and build generational wealth, and where customers can trust that the art comes from the source” (Colleen Farwell, CEO Project Antelope – Crow Nation).
Project Antelope sells traditional and contemporary visual art, jewelry, music, fashion, and home goods. They set up pop-up shops at public events to connect with Indigenous communities, and educate the general public on Native art and artists. The opportunity to connect with different tribal nations and the Philadelphia community is the highlight of Project Antelope’s vending experience at IPD Philly’s annual celebration.
You can find Project Antelope’s services and more information at projectantelope.com | Podcast: On Being Indigenous | Article: Project Antelope is a Bold New Era in Native Arts
Kungi Sapa Moccasins & Crafts
Kungi Sapa Moccasins & Crafts is owned by Eugene Black Crow, an Oglala Lakhota–citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Fed. Reg.). Eugene primarily sells leather moccasins, medicine pouches, and chokers. Eugene’s leather work knowledge had been passed down through his parents. He noted how, “…before the white man came–we wore moccasins. Everything we [Lakhotas] had was made out of [buffalo and deer] leather.”
Eugene has been vending at the annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly event since 2019. He sees the event as a vital way to correct the colonial narratives around Columbus Day and recenter Indigenous histories and present communities.
Additionally, Eugene serves as a board member for IPD Philly, and is a fluent Lakhota speaker and language teacher. Eugene is the founder and director of the Lakhota Woglakapo Project, a Lakhota language revitalization and education project sponsored by IPD Philly.
You can contact Eugene through his facebook page @LakhotaWoglakapoProject
Tenangos Philly
In 2024 we are honored to welcome back Tenangos Philly–a Philadelphia based business that educates others about Otomi-Tepehua (Native Mexican) embroidery, culture, and lifeways. Tania M. Leon Lucas started Tenangos Philly in April 2019. Tenangos Philly refers to a hand-drawn and hand-stitched Mexican embroidery style from Otomi-Tepehua. Tania uses naturally dyed threads and 100% cotton materials to make interior decoration, accessories, and clothing.
Tania says Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an important way to “raise awareness about the existence of our Indigenous groups, honor our ancestors, make it known that we still exist and educate about our cultures and never forget where you come from and the gifts your ancestors gave to you.”
You can find more information on Tenangos Philly and their embroidery work on their website tenangosphilly.shop/
Nocheztli.
Another Indigenous vendor from Mexico that will be at IPD Philly 2024 is Nocheztli. Adniel Avendano (Native Mexican / Zapotec) founded Nocheztli in 2019. Nocheztli is a clothing and accessory brand showcasing Indigenous art and imagery from Mexico and Central America. Nocheztli is the Nahuatl word for the red dye obtained from dried and crushed female cochineal beetle. Indigenous Mexicans use the red color to dye fabric.
The idea for Nocheztli was born when Adniel taught himself screen-printing to connect with the punk music scene in the United States,creating clothing and patches for bands. While attending Indigenous events and powwows for Aztec dance performances, Adniel realized he could combine his talent for screen-printing and commitment to elevating Indigenous art from Mexico and Central America by vending at events.
Adniel’s favorite part of vending and IPD Philly is making new connections, particularly with the younger Indigenous generation. Adniel tries “to give them a little background about the indigeneity of Mexico–sparking a light in them about being Indigenous and their culture.”
You can find more information about Adniel and Nocheztli at nocheztliclothing.storenvy.com | Instagram @adnielavendano
Richie Olivera Flutes
Felix Ataucusi (Inca Nation, Quechua; Native Peruvian) is the owner of Richie Olivera Flutes. Richie Olivera Flutes sells Native American and South American style bamboo and wood flutes, as well as handmade items, including bracelets, necklaces, and dreamcatchers. Felix also plays and performs the flutes in different festivals.
Felix started selling his flutes in 2015, prompted by audience members who witnessed his performances and encouraged him to make and sell his own flutes. Felix has been performing and vending at IPD Philly’s since 2017. His favorite thing about vending is that “it is not always about the money; it is all about the customers and all the interactions.”
Felix hopes IPD Philly continues for many more years. He sees the space as an important way to connect with people from other Indigenous communities and continue learning from each other.
More information on Richie Olivera Flutes and Felix’s music can be found on Facebook @Richie Olivera | Instagram @richie_0livera.
Native Crafts
Another wonderful vendor returning for IPD Philly 2024 is Vincent Cruz and Gladys Farinango of Native Crafts. Vincent and Gladys are from the Kichwa Nation (Native Ecuadorian). Native Crafts sells jewelry, clothing, and art made by their Kichwa community. Vincent has been traveling North America with music and vending for over twenty years.
For Vincent, Native Crafts is deeply grounded in Kichwa tradition and culture, explaining that, “Way before Spanish or English people came to this land, we always had trading routes between north, central, and south so what we’re doing right now is just a continuation of what our ancestors were doing.” Vincent genuinely enjoys meeting new people and building connections through Native Crafts.
Native Crafts has been vending at IPD Philly since 2019. Vincent’s highlights from IPD Philly are the stories shared by Indigenous elders and supporting the growing Indigenous Peoples’ Day movement.
The Native Crafts store is located at the Philadelphia Mills Mall and is open Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm and Sundays 12pm-7pm.
We look forward to seeing all of the wonderful vendors in the fall for #IPDPHILLY2024! THANK YOU! We truly appreciate everyone who attends, volunteers, performs, works, spreads the word, and donates to the event.
We are deeply honored that you take the time to stand in solidarity with us to help celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philadelphia. We are so excited to continue increasing awareness about all Indigenous Peoples of the Americas and our diverse histories and cultures in the city.
To continue supporting IPD Philly and our ongoing educational projects in addition to the annual event, you can donate on our website!
