Dear IPD Philly Community, 

Happy Equinox from Indigenous Peoples’  Day Philly Board of Directors!

Mèchi yukwe sikòn. It is now Spring! 

The past year and beyond has been extraordinarily challenging for all of us with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting  communities, businesses, jobs, health, schools, and more. We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy through the pandemic. In our first newsletter, we wanted to take the opportunity to not only update you with some exciting developments about our organization, but to provide you with some helpful information and resources.  

For our first big news of the new year, we’re proud to announce that we have officially been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, charitable 501(c)(3) organization. Since October 12th 2017, we have organized Indigenous Peoples’ Day in observance of our 500 plus years of resistance and survival. On October 10th & 12th of 2020, we produced our annual awareness Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Philly 2020 event in the city of Philadelphia. It was a virtual celebration that brought Native/Indigenous artists and dignitaries to share their perspectives and stories about the importance of amplifying Native narratives (Lenni-Lenape, Taino, and other relatives).

We truly thank everyone who has supported the organization by attending our events, donating, volunteering, and partnering. With your help, we continue to grow in our role of advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the city, educating greater Philadelphia about Native American/Indigenous Peoples’ history, and providing a supporting platform for those within our communities to share their culture and heritage. For example, this year, we openly shared our stance on why Indigenous Peoples’ Day should be widely recognized instead of the harmful Columbus Day. Though it has been an arduous battle, on Jan. 27,  Mayor Jim Kenney signed Executive Order 2-21 which marked the change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October and we couldn’t be more excited. 

In addition, and provided that the rights of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, Abya Yala,  and Pachamama are guaranteed, we stand unequivocally in allyship and solidarity with all nations, communities, and those demanding for racial, economic, political, migration, and environmental justice. 

We hope you and your families are healthy, safe, and inspired to keep moving forward despite circumstances. We are in this together!  We look forward to seeing all of you again for this year’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly event (more information to be announced). Until then, we will keep you updated on all related news in our quarterly newsletter.  Please share this newsletter and continue to spread the word about our initiatives. Also, feel free to reach out to us with your thoughts, ideas, and feedback. 

Wanishi, (Thank you)
Trinity Norwood
Founding Board and Secretary

Pewkayall, (Until soon / Hasta pronto)
Mabel Negrete (CNS)
Executive Director, Co-founder, Interim Chair