Press Release
For Immediate Release
SEPTEMBER 18, 2023
(Updated 9/28)
Media Contact:
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, Inc. (IPD PHILLY)
1500 Chestnut Street, Suite 2 – PMB 1106
Philadelphia PA 19102
https://ipdphilly.org | press@ipdphilly.org | FB & Instagram: @ipdphilly
Seventh Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event to be Held October 9
This is an in-person and livestream event don’t miss it!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Philly 2023 is a celebration of Indigenous communities in Philadelphia and beyond. This event will combine traditional and contemporary indigenous art, music, dance, and food to increase awareness of indigenous issues. The festivities also serve as an opportunity to discuss the strengths and history of the First Peoples of Americas.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 (Philadelphia, PA) — The Seventh Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philly is fast approaching! The event will be at Shackamaxon (Penn Treaty Park) on Monday, October 9, 2023, from 11 AM – 5 PM EDT. The event is hosted by Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, Inc (IPD Philly), an Indigenous-led non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, PA. Through a celebration of art and culture, this annual event provides space for all Indigenous communities in the city to shed light on the strength of our people from 530 years of resistance.
This year in addition to all the amazing artists, artisans, and dignitaries who are returning to share their art, culture, and histories, we are delighted to announce the Sky Dancers. They are an ensemble of performers of different ages from the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario Canada. Their troupe was founded in 1946 by the late Howard Sky and two generations later they continue to share their rich culture and social dancing.
Also we invite you to support the Lenape in-diaspora from the five federal tribes who are coming to Philadelphia from as far as Canada to speak and celebrate this day of resistance on their ancestral territory. We have a fundraiser to help with the costs of their travel expenses. To learn more and donate, visit this link: https://givebutter.com/ipdp-lenape-travel-funds
The event location, Shackamaxon, also known as Penn Treaty Park, is within the ancestral territory of the Lenni-Lenape (Delaware) peoples who are the original inhabitants of Delaware, New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania. Shackamaxon, derived from “sakimauchheen ing,” means “place to make a chief,” and is where the community would formally recognize both family (sakima) and clan (kitakima) chiefs.
The Great Elm Tree that once stood in the park had a significant history as a place of important gatherings. It is where many sachems of the Lenni-Lenape and other tribes from Lenapehoking would meet for council. Today, a third-generation descendant of the tree is growing in Shackamaxon.
2023 marks the third year since Philadelphia Mayor, Jim Kenney, declared Indigenous Peoples’ Day an official holiday in the city. This decision was a part of Philadelphia’s Pathways to Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation initiative to build a more equitable community in the City of Brotherly Love.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philly is a family-friendly event that is open to the public. Don’t miss out on the beauty and excellence that the Indigenous community has to offer! Be sure to bring your blankets and chairs to join the festivities at Shackamaxon (Penn Treaty Park) on Monday, October 9, 2023 from 11 AM – 5 PM EDT. To RSVP, visit our Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/4eVjjiSSh
Lastly, if you cannot attend, you can watch the entire event online. In partnership with PhillyCAM, our event will be livestream on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IPDphilly/ and on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ipdphilly
Spread the word or support us by sending a tax-exempt contribution https://ipdphilly.org/donate/
From the IPD PHILLY Team!
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About Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, Inc
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, Inc (IPD Philly) is an Indigenous-led 501c3 non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, PA, and was established in 2017 in the Lenape Unami territory of Lenapehoking (Southern PA and NJ). IPD Philly’s mission is to cultivate an active Native American/Indigenous presence in the city of Philadelphia through cultural, educational, and community-building initiatives. In order to uplift Native traditions, creative economies, and histories, IPD Philly’s vision is to counter historical Indigenous erasure—the deliberate and systematic destruction of Native cultures and violent displacement of Native peoples to this day. Over time, IPD Philly seeks to build stronger communication channels between the City of Philadelphia and Native constituencies.
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Event Highlights
EVENT NAME: Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly 2023
LOCATION: Shackamaxon (Penn Treaty Park) – 1301 N Beach St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
TIME: 11 AM – 5 PM EDT.
PAY-AS-YOU-WISH: Suggested donation for adults $10, elders and youth 12+ $5
RSVP FB EVENT PAGE: https://fb.me/e/4eVjjiSSh
TO DONATE: https://ipdphilly.org/donate
EVENT PROGRAM: coming soon!
MEDIA KIT ONLINE: https://ipdphilly.org/mediakit2023/
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Speakers (Confirmed)
- Tonya Anna, Assistant Chief of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma
- Matthew Putnam, citizen of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Wisconsin
- Trinity Guido, a citizen of the Delaware Nation of Anadarko-Oklahoma, co-founder of the Nitkuxkwihena (We are Sisters) Collective, and co-leader of the Lenape Program Working Group of IPD Philly
- Theresa Johnson, a citizen of the Delaware Nation of Moraviantown Ontario-Canada, owner of Rez Crafts, and co-leader of the Lenape Program Working Group of IPD Philly
- Perry Jacobs, a citizen of the Munsee-Delaware Nation Ontario-Canada
- Eugene Black Crow, a citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, director of the Lakhota Woglakapo Project, and advisor of IPD Philly
- Kelly Dova, Dakota Sioux from Lake Traverse Reservation, and leader of the Coalition of Natives and Allies.
- Pauline Hilton, member of the non-profit Native Nations Dance Theater and a Seminole-Creek descent
- Donna Fann-Boyle, member of the American Indian Movement of Eastern Woodland Territory and a Choctaw-Cherokee descent
- Rep. Christopher M. Rabb, 200th District / Philadelphia County
- Romana Lee-Akiyama, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement | City of Philadelphia
Performers (Confirmed)
- Sky Dancers (Dance Troupe from the Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario Canada)
- Tchin (Indigenous Storyteller)
- Canpatlaneci (Aztec Dance Troupe)
- Inkarayku (Quechua Fusion Band)
- Native Nations Dance Theater (Pow-Wow Style Dancers)
- Marcus “Quese IMC“ Frejo (Pawnee, Seminole Multi-Talented Artist)
- Richie Olivera (Andean Flute Music)
Activities
- “Sweetgrass Braiding” info-booth by Rez Crafts
- “Free Leonard Peltier & MMIW” info-booth by AIM – American Indian Movement
- “Not Your Mascot” info-booth by Coalition of Native and Allies
Vendors (Confirmed)
- Project Antelope – (Various Indigenous Artists)
- Rez Crafts – (Lenape/Delaware)
- Kungi Sapa Moccasins & Crafts – (Oglala Lakota)
- Claudette Bryant – (Shinnecoke)
- Sky Danzers Crafts – (Six Nations)
- Nocheztli – (Native Mexican / Zapotec)
- Tenangos Philly – (Native Mexican / Otomi)
- Kichwas Arts – (Native Ecuadorian)
- Richie Olivera Flutes – (Native Peruvian)
- Native Crafts – (Native Ecuadorian / Kichwa)
- Canpatlaneci Merchandise – (Native Mexican, Central and South American)
- Maki Arts – (Native Ecuadorian)
Event Sponsors
- Philadelphia Parks & Recreations
- Mayor’s Office Of Public Engagement
- Totem App
- Natives at Penn
- Quechua Program at Penn
- Penn Language Center
- Philadelphia Orchard Project
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia
- cinéSPEAK
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
Media Partner
Community Partners
Event Funding
- Bread & Roses Community Funds
- Samuels Fels Fund
- The Philadelphia Cultural Funds
- Cultural Survival
- Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures (A regional effort of the larger national initiative from the Ford Foundation funded by the William Penn Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, The Barra Foundation, The Neubauer Family Foundation, and The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage)
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Featured in these image-posts:
1st row left-to-right: Birdview of the IPDphilly2022, Audience, and Marcus “Quese” Frejo
2nd row left-to-right: Sky Dancers, Tchin, Canpatlaneci
3rd row: Inkarayku, Marcus “Quese” Frejo, Native Nations Dance Theater
4th row: Richie Olivera, Vaughnda Hilton, Peter Brooks
