A special thanks to everyone who showed up to celebrate another amazing Indigenous People’s Day in Philadelphia.
If you couldn’t make it in person, you can watch the event on our YouTube channel and #IPDphilly2024 website!
EVENT OVERVIEW
This year, we proudly celebrated the 8th annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philadelphia at Shackamaxon, also known as Penn Treaty Park. Held on October 14th from 11 am until 5 pm, the event became a vibrant showcase of “history, care, and joy—a surprising mixture,” as described by a Billy Penn journalist. This celebration brought together a diverse audience of children, youth, parents, teachers, and community members, highlighting the importance of unity and understanding. Attendees experienced inspiring performances, thought-provoking speeches, and a variety of vendors, making it an unforgettable day for all.
Our festivity also served as a powerful platform for discussing the rich history and enduring strengths of the First Peoples of the Americas, promoting understanding and respect among all attendees. Our event commemorated the history and legacy of Native tribes in the United States and Indigenous Peoples across the Americas, with a particular focus on the Lenape (or Delaware) tribes. Their ancestral lands named Lenapehoking encompass southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and southern New York. Representatives from various organizations and Native communities educated attendees through performances and speeches, sharing insights on Native experiences from the early days of settlement in the Americas. They also addressed more recent issues, such as Native American residential boarding schools.
IPD Philly would like to acknowledge the incredible speakers featured in this first article. The speakers included allies and Indigenous Peoples from both North America and South America. This overview is part of a series of articles covering our most recent event.
HIGHLIGHTED SPEAKERS
Opening Remarks
Charles Under Baggage, an Oglala Lakota and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, served as the emcee for the event. Eugene Black Crow, Board of IPD Philly, also an Oglala Lakota and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, delivered the opening remarks. Curtis Zunigha, a Lenape/Delaware and co-director of the Lenape Center in New York, spoke about the significance of the Lenape people. Andrew Dobb, the Engagement Partnerships Consulting Manager of the Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunities, participated as a city sponsor. Christopher Rabb, the State Representative for District 200, shared his insights on Native American policies in Pennsylvania. Mabel Negrete, a Native Chilean and Executive Director of IPD Philly, also contributed her thoughts on unity and emphasized the importance of celebrating Indigenous Peoples of the Americas. Everyone present highlighted the growing national momentum surrounding this significant day and stressed the need to acknowledge Indigenous history and the true context of the Lenape people’s experiences and territory.
“This day is to celebrate and recognize all of the Indigenous People who are still on this land who survived forced removal, genocide, land theft. We are here to be recognized not just as survivors of this time period. We have grown and we have flourished. Our cultures are alive and our languages are alive. We have every reason to celebrate being Indigenous“ – Curtis Zunigha
“This is not only a day of celebration, but a day of awareness. It is growing every moment, every year. Not only here in Philadelphia, but across the country” – Mabel Negrete
—>Watch on our Livestream here (00:02:00-00:20:11).
Featured Speakers
After opening remarks and presentations that also included audience participation in some dances, Charles Under Baggage introduced his grandmother, Sandi Cianciulli.
Sandi Cianciulli (Lakota descent) is an advocate and activist for the Circle Legacy Center, in Lancaster, PA. Circle Legacy is an organization of Indigenous People focused on cultural and educational initiatives. The Circle Legacy Center collaborates with the Carlisle Indian School Project to create educational events about Pennsylvania’s boarding school history.
As she shares with the audience about the erasure they have dealt with in Pennsylvania, she encourages them to know that “[they] have events that discuss this history which is not taught in schools.”
Learn more about the Circle Legacy Center events here.
Learn more about the Carlisle Indian School Project here.
—> Watch Sandi Cianciulli on our Livestream here (1:00:00-1:06:14).
John Thomson (Shawnee/Lenape; Delaware Tribe) spoke about the first international treaty conference at Standing Rock, South Dakota in 1974. He discussed the creation of the International Indian Treaty Office. He also talked about his work with the Ancestor’s Project. Thomson’s work with the Ancestor’s Project focuses on recovering remains from ancestors who were stolen from their graves.
He also expressed solidarity. He said, “To all the other Indigenous people fighting for their rights and their homelands, we stand with you. Stand up, fight back, wake up.”
—> Watch John Thomson on our Livestream here (03:18:20-03:26:34).
Curtis Zunigha (Lenape / Delaware; Delaware Tribe of Indians and Cherokee Nation), shared a historical account of William Penn’s first contact with the Lenape. Curtis spoke about the history and impacts of William Penn’s and England’s settler-colonialism. Forced relocation resulted in the establishment of reservations across the Midwest of Lenape people. Curtis sang the Lenape Flag Song. He did this to honor the Lenape that were forced from their land. He also sang to recognize those fighting for their rights as Indigenous People.
“At first they liked William Penn…later, William Penn showed up with all his people from England. And he says, ‘I have a piece of paper here and this piece of paper says all of this land belongs to the King of England’…Over a period of time the good relations that the Lenape had with William Penn were squandered by deceit and land theft.”
—> Watch Curtis Zunigha on our Livestream here (03:30:00-03:40:07).
Nathan Solorio is from the Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation and Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation. He is a seventeen year old Native Youth Advocate. He resides in Pennsylvania. Nathan spoke about the injustices that Native youth still face in various areas. They are marginalized, erased, and stereotyped in schools, media, and broader society. Nathan emphasized the importance of recognizing Indigenous People’s Day. This day serves as a reminder of the responsibility we all have. We need to build a better future for Indigenous generations.
“[Indigenous People’s Day] is a step away from the harmful narratives that erase or misrepresent Native people, our ancestors, and our cultures. On this day, we can shift that narrative. We can take the time to honor the depth and diversity in our cultures, the resilience of our ancestors, and the strength that exists within our communities today. …This day is not just about looking back. It’s about embracing who we are right now and envisioning the future we want to create”
—> Watch Nathan Solorio on our Livestream here (3:50:00-3:56:40).
THANK YOU
The 8th annual Indigenous People’s Day at Shackamaxon was another powerful opportunity for connection, education, and celebration. It honored Indigenous communities, cultures, and histories across Turtle Island and Abya Yala. Indigenous People’s Day Philly is part of a growing movement nation-wide. This movement aims to bring awareness to the histories of settler-colonialism. It also addresses genocide and systemic harm inflicted on Indigenous Peoples.
We want to thank all of our speakers for joining us in celebration and solidarity. They help draw attention to the endurance and depth of Indigenous communities.
We are also so grateful to all of the attendees, volunteers, and vendors. Performers, speakers, sponsors, and donors also helped make Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philly 2024 possible.
We are looking forward to another beautiful, educational, and inspiring day of celebration next year. We hope to see you there on Monday October 13!
This is one of a series of articles we are writing about the event. To stay tuned for future publications, click here! To continue supporting IPD Philly and our ongoing educational projects, in addition to the annual event, you can donate here!
IPD PHILLY TEAM
