Highlighting Speakers from Philadelphia’s 8th Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration
A recap on the speakers acknowledging accurate Native American history and cultures at the 8th Indigenous Peoples Day Philly.
Thank you, Everyone, for making
INdigneous Peoples' Day Philly 2024 spectacular!
If you missed the event, Watch IT via OUR youtube
ABOUT IPDphilly2024
Welcome to Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly 2024 that aired from Shackamaxon (Penn Treaty Park), Monday October 14th!
This past October, Indigenous peoples and allies gathered in Philadelphia to celebrate Indigenous communities across Turtle Island and Abya Yala. This dynamic event brought together traditional and contemporary Indigenous art, music, dance, and food. It has also been designed to elevate awareness of pressing Indigenous issues.
The event featured Lenape elders Curtis Zunigha and John Thomas from the Delaware Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma. We also had grandma and Indigenous activist Sandi Cianciulli of Lakhota descent who was instrumental in the development of the Carlisle Indian School Project. We welcomed back outstanding Indigenous artists, performers, and vendors: Tchin (author, flutemaker, educator, lecturer, folklorist, musician, entertainer, and clothes maker); Marcus “Quese” Frejo (Pawnee and Seminole); Vaughnda Hilton (founder of the The Native Nations Dance Theater); Inkarayku (fusion Andean band from New York City); Canpatlaneci (Philadelphia-based Aztec dance troupe); Kungi Sapa Moccasins & Crafts (traditional Lakota leatherwork); Tenangos Philly (Otomi-Tepehua embroidery); Nocheztli (silkscreen apparel with Indigenous motifs from Mexico and Central America); Richie Olivera Flutes (Native American and South American-style flutes); Native Crafts (Kichwa Nation jewelry, clothing, and art).
Additionally, we welcomed two new artists this year: Angela Gladue (Miss Chief Rocka; Cree Nation) and Ra Jikotea Niaku’no Ruiz León (Taíno-Borikua).
You can learn more here: Press Release | Article at BillyPenn
Highlight Series
In the coming months we are writing about our event. Here is our first recap highlighting the speakers.
WANISHI / THANK YOU...
About the Location
The event location, Shackamaxon, also known as Penn Treaty Park, is within the ancestral territory of the Lenni-Lenape (Delaware) peoples. They are the original inhabitants of Delaware, New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania. The name Shackamaxon, derived from “sakimauchheen ing,” means “place to make a chief”. This was where the community would recognize family and clan chiefs. The Great Elm Tree once stood in the park. It was a significant gathering place for the Lenni-Lenape and other tribes. Today, a third-generation descendant of the tree grows in Shackamaxon.
