About Us
Who We Are
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, Inc (IPD PHILLY) is a newly formed non-profit organization born out of a small community network of Native American / Indigenous groups in the city.
Today our community has grown and is comprised of artists, artisans, activists, healers, thinkers and groups like: Indigenous 215 Collective, Philly Taino Cultural Workshops, We Are the Seeds of CultureTrust, Indigenous Peoples in Philadelphia , Campatlanazi (Danza Azteca del Anahuac), Quechua Program at Penn, Native Nations Dance Theater, and Nocheztli.
In addition we receive support by the Norwood’s family of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe, and logistical support by the Friends of Penn Treaty Park.
Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate an active Native American/Indigenous presence in the city of Philadelphia through cultural, educational and community-building initiatives that uplift our Native traditions, creative economies, and histories.
What we do
Since 2017, we produce an annual cultural festival and awareness campaign for “Indigenous Peoples Day” and since 2019 we celebrate this Native-American social justice movement at Shackamoxon (or known as Penn Treaty Park).
In addition throughout the year, our organization and community network shares relevant resources and informative news articles focused on Indigenous issues through our online platforms. We are at the forefront of conversations regarding Indigenous sovereignty, immigration, and environmental justice. We also have cultivated a substantial presence in Philadelphia and have been successful in connecting with Indigenous people living in other regions throughout the Americas and worldwide.
Since 2017, we produce an annual cultural festival and awareness campaign for “Indigenous Peoples Day” and since 2019 we celebrate this Native-American social justice movement at Shackamoxon (or known as Penn Treaty Park).
In addition throughout the year, our organization and community network shares relevant resources and informative news articles focused on Indigenous issues through our online platforms. We are at the forefront of conversations regarding Indigenous sovereignty, immigration, and environmental justice. We also have cultivated a substantial presence in Philadelphia and have been successful in connecting with Indigenous people living in other regions throughout the Americas and worldwide.
Our Long-term Vision
Our vision is to counter the historical Indigenous erasure—the deliberate and systematic destruction of Native cultures and violent displacement of Native peoples to this day—by organizing powerful and multifaceted initiatives like our annual “Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly at Shackamaxon” (Penn Treaty Park). An initiative that centers the lived, hyper-present experiences of the Lenape (Delawares) today—whose traditional homeland is where Philadelphia now stands—as well as the experiences of the Taino (Indigenous Caribbean) and other Native-American/Indigenous communities living in the region.
Over time, we want to be recognized as a creative Indigenous social justice movement that supports all Indigenous Peoples of the Americas by building stronger communication channels between the City of Philadelphia and our constituents. Our long-term goals include providing a sanctuary space for all Native Americans/Indigenous Americans, creating community support to abolish the city’s harmful and racist practices that continue to suppress Native history over the celebration of white supremacists like Christopher Columbus and George Washington, and educating the Philadelphia community about the untruths and misconceptions that surround holidays like Thanksgiving Day and Columbus Day.
Our vision is to counter the historical Indigenous erasure—the deliberate and systematic destruction of Native cultures and violent displacement of Native peoples to this day—by organizing powerful and multifaceted initiatives like our annual “Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly at Shackamaxon” (Penn Treaty Park). An initiative that centers the lived, hyper-present experiences of the Lenape (Delawares) today—whose traditional homeland is where Philadelphia now stands—as well as the experiences of the Taino (Indigenous Caribbean) and other Native-American/Indigenous communities living in the region.
Over time, we want to be recognized as a creative Indigenous social justice movement that supports all Indigenous Peoples of the Americas by building stronger communication channels between the City of Philadelphia and our constituents. Our long-term goals include providing a sanctuary space for all Native Americans/Indigenous Americans, creating community support to abolish the city’s harmful and racist practices that continue to suppress Native history over the celebration of white supremacists like Christopher Columbus and George Washington, and educating the Philadelphia community about the untruths and misconceptions that surround holidays like Thanksgiving Day and Columbus Day.
Our Story
In 2017, three Indigenous women, Priscilla Bell (Taino), Mabel Negrete (Native Chilean) and Stephanie Mach (Dine), organized an Indigenous Peoples’ Day (IPD) celebration and education event in Philadelphia. They had experienced firsthand the ill effects of the systemic erasure of Indigenous peoples in the United States and were motivated to create change. Particularly in Philadelphia, where 23,000 Native Americans live, but no federally recognized Tribal Nations exist, lack of representation and awareness negatively impacts policy, court decisions, and public support for Native communities, creating a void that is filled with appropriation, toxic stereotypes, and misperceptions. Their Indigenous Peoples’ Day event sought to counter this narrative and honor the history, heritage, and culture of the Lenni-Lenape (the original people of Lenapehoking), the Tiano (Indigenous Carribeans) and all the Native Americans from across the Americas living in the region today.
Following the success of their first Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, they continued in 2018-19 to identify ways to elevate Indigenous history, provide education, and raise awareness of the diversity of Indigenous cultures in Philadelphia. Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly Inc (IPD Philly) was incorporated as a non-profit in May 2019 and today is the quintessential nonprofit in the city that promotes recognition and awareness of Indigenous peoples who have been historically oppressed and silenced.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, IPD Philly was forced to quickly adapt to find a way to continue their work. In partnership with PhillyCAM, they hosted a fully virtual 2-day Indigenous Peoples’ Day event that drew over 1,000 attendees and included 25 Indigenous performers.
The pandemic also served as a catalyst for the organization to build a robust online presence and expand its use of media to promote social change. With funds provided by the Bread & Roses Fund and a dedicated volunteer team, IPD Philly made strides in improving its website, building a 4,000+ person social media following, and publishing a quarterly newsletter and monthly blog. Through their online channels, IPD Philly creates resources and shares informative articles focused on Indigenous issues. They are at the forefront of conversations regarding Indigenous sovereignty, immigration, and environmental justice.
IPD Philly continued to build on this success in 2021, which saw two major victories. The first included the signing of Executive Order 2-21 by Mayor Jim Kenney which marked the change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October. Secondly, IPD Philly started an Educational Awareness Campaign that engages Natives and Allies with our coalition-building activities, social justice, and humanity-based programs. These victories have increased interest in the organization and helped strengthen partnerships across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the East Coast, and across Indian Country.
In 2017, three Indigenous women, Priscilla Bell (Taino), Mabel Negrete (Native Chilean) and Stephanie Mach (Dine), organized an Indigenous Peoples’ Day (IPD) celebration and education event in Philadelphia. They had experienced firsthand the ill effects of the systemic erasure of Indigenous peoples in the United States and were motivated to create change. Particularly in Philadelphia, where 23,000 Native Americans live, but no federally recognized Tribal Nations exist, lack of representation and awareness negatively impacts policy, court decisions, and public support for Native communities, creating a void that is filled with appropriation, toxic stereotypes, and misperceptions. Their Indigenous Peoples’ Day event sought to counter this narrative and honor the history, heritage, and culture of the Lenni-Lenape (the original people of Lenapehoking), the Tiano (Indigenous Carribeans) and all the Native Americans from across the Americas living in the region today.
Following the success of their first Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, they continued in 2018-19 to identify ways to elevate Indigenous history, provide education, and raise awareness of the diversity of Indigenous cultures in Philadelphia. Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly Inc (IPD Philly) was incorporated as a non-profit in May 2019 and today is the quintessential nonprofit in the city that promotes recognition and awareness of Indigenous peoples who have been historically oppressed and silenced.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, IPD Philly was forced to quickly adapt to find a way to continue their work. In partnership with PhillyCAM, they hosted a fully virtual 2-day Indigenous Peoples’ Day event that drew over 1,000 attendees and included 25 Indigenous performers.
The pandemic also served as a catalyst for the organization to build a robust online presence and expand its use of media to promote social change. With funds provided by the Bread & Roses Fund and a dedicated volunteer team, IPD Philly made strides in improving its website, building a 4,000+ person social media following, and publishing a quarterly newsletter and monthly blog. Through their online channels, IPD Philly creates resources and shares informative articles focused on Indigenous issues. They are at the forefront of conversations regarding Indigenous sovereignty, immigration, and environmental justice.
IPD Philly continued to build on this success in 2021, which saw two major victories. The first included the signing of Executive Order 2-21 by Mayor Jim Kenney which marked the change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October. Secondly, IPD Philly started an Educational Awareness Campaign that engages Natives and Allies with our coalition-building activities, social justice, and humanity-based programs. These victories have increased interest in the organization and helped strengthen partnerships across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the East Coast, and across Indian Countryt
Meet the Team
Sandra Cianciulli
(Lakhota Heritage)
Board Secretary
Eugene Black Crow
(Oglala Lakota) citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Fed. Reg.)
Board Member
& Project Leader of the Lakhota Woglakapo Project
Sonya hough
(Citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the Delaware Tribe of Indians in OK) (Fed. Reg.)
Board Advisor
Mabel Negrete (CNS)
(Chola Ngulumapu mew /
Native Chilean )
Executive Director, Cofounder
& Board Interim Chair
Sonya hough
(Citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the Delaware Tribe of Indians in OK) (Fed. Reg.)
Board Advisor
Eugene Black Crow
(Oglala Lakota) citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Fed. Reg.)
Board Advisor, Speaker &
Project Leader of the Lakhota Woglakapo Project
Lenape Program Working Group's Advisors
Advisors, Consultants & Associates
Tai Pelli
(Taíno / Boriken)
Honored Advisor
Curtis Zunigha
(Lenape / Delaware) Citizen of the Delaware Tribe of Indians (Fed. Reg.)
Advisor & Speaker / Consultant
Vaughnda Hilton
(Seminole-Creek & Blackfeet Descent)
Advisor & Performer
Nikki Kalani Apana
(Native Hawaiian)
Former Board Secretary
Stephanie Mach
(Diné) citizen of the Navajo Nation (Fed. Reg.)
Cofounder & Advisor
Charles Under Baggage
(Oglala Lakota) citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Fed. Reg.)
Speaker / Consultant
Jazmund Walker
(African American)
Ally / Advisor & Former Newsletter Assistant Editor
Talon Bazille
(Crow Creek Dakota & Cheyenne River Lakhota)
Associate Writer & Performer
Cornelia Dimalanta
(Lumbee) member of the Lumbee Tribe of Northern Carolina (State Reg.)
Speaker & Associate
Elsa Khafin
(Jews American)
Ally / ACT Associate
Americo Mendoza-Mori
(Quechua / Peruvian)
Associate Advisor
Mahtowin Munro
(Lakota)
Speaker / Consultant
R.I. P
Chief Mark Peters
(Munsee-Delaware Nation in Ontario, Canada)
Kit Heintzman
(German-Dutch-English descent / Canadian)
Ally / Associate
Kezaih Ridgeway
(African American)
Ally / Consulting Facilitator
& ACT Associate
Thank you Funders
We are thrilled to announce that we’ve been selected to receive a Wingspan grant from PA Humanities! Through this program for BIPOC and rural organizations we’re receiving support for the improvement of our annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day, its live broadcast and archive.
We’re also joining the statewide Wingspan Learning Community where we’ll network with peers, share resources, and learn together.
Funding for this grant is made possible with the generous support from Spring Point Partners, and additional funding from PA Humanities, individual donors and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
#WingspanPA
https://www.pahumanities.org/Wingspan
Thank you Event Sponsors 2023
Thank you Partners
