We had another successful celebration this year thanks to our speakers, performers, dignitaries, volunteers, sponsors, donors, allies, and everyone who showed up to celebrate with us!
If you couldn’t make it in person, you can watch the event on our YouTube channel and #IPDphilly2023 webpage!
EVENT OVERVIEW
Through a celebration of art and culture, Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philadelphia provides space for different Indigenous communities in the city to shed light on the history and strength of our people from 530 years of resistance.
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.
The event location, Shackamaxon, also known as Penn Treaty Park, is within the ancestral territory of the Lenni-Lenape peoples. They 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 Shackamaxon 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. A third-generation descendant of that tree is growing in Shackamaxon today.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
In this first recap, IPD Philly would like to take a moment to recognize all the amazing speakers and those who attended the 7th Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration at Shackamaxon. Some came all the way from Canada and Oklahoma to be with us on this historic day. In addition, we’re so fortunate to have had many excellent artists, musicians, and storytellers from across Turtle Island.
Then to start, IPD Philly would like to give a special shout-out to Janice Stacy (Lakota & Dakota), Andy Jacobs (Delaware Nation of Moraviantown, Ontario, Canada), Eugene Blackcrow (Oglala Sioux Tribe), and Romana Lee-Akiyama (Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement). They had some powerful words to share with the press and the public before the event.
“Philadelphia cannot thrive unless every community feels that they are seen, heard, and included in a meaningful way.”
—>Watch Romana on our Livestream here.
Following the opening remarks, Charles Under Baggage (Oglala Lakota Nation) officially opened the event with a land acknowledgment and served as the emcee for the remainder of the event. “Lenape from Lenapehoking would meet [here] for council and with that historical fact and despite centuries of targeted genocide by colonial forces across Turtle Island and Abya Yala, the heartbeat of our communities are still here.
—>Watch Charles on our Livestream here.
Marcus “Quese IMC“ Frejo (Pawnee, Seminole Multi-Talented Artist) talked and expressed through music the power of Indigenous connections to the land and with one another after experiencing colonization. “Indigenous Peoples’ Day is to acknowledge that yes we’re still here. We’re still here because of that spiritual resilience, because of that historical love and spirit.”
—> Watch Marcus on our Livestream here.
Tonya Anna, the Assistant Chief of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma, shared the childhood experiences of her parents and herself to express the importance of Indigenous culture and chasing your dreams. “Coming from a background where I was not taught my traditions and I am now learning my culture at 56 years old. I have to go back and learn what I should have already known.”
—> Watch Tonya Anna on our Livestream here!
Matthew Putnam (Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Wisconsin) accompanied by his son, provided education on the history of Lenape land and answered questions about Indigenous culture from the youth in the audience. “I want to remind everyone that this is Lenapehoking. This is our original homeland. Even at events like this, erasure is taught. There are organizations that tell you they are us. We need to educate. We need to find a common ground. To start over”
—> Watch Matthew Putnam on our Livestream here!
Theresa Johnson opened her speech with a Lenape prayer, then spoke about the history of Lenape leaders and cultural storytelling passed down from her grandparents. “I grew up with my grandparents, I was raised by them, and they passed on these stories and I believe those ones to be true”
—> Watch Theresa Johnson on our Livestream here.
Trinity Guido (Delaware Nation of Anadarko-Oklahoma) was accompanied by her son and nephew, who is a co-founder and representative of the Nitkuxkwihena (We are Sisters) Collective and Lenape Program Working Group of IPD Philly. She talked about the history of tribal leadership in her family and how it drives the work done for her community.
“You heard from other speakers about the federal government’s attempt to wipe us clean, so It is nothing short of a miracle today that myself but also my children, my sister, and all of these people here today are standing before you and we are proud to be here.”
—> Watch Trinity Guido on our Livestream here.
Donna Fann-Boyle, a member of the American Indian Movement of Eastern Woodland Territory and a Choctaw-Cherokee descent, shared her advocacy within the American Indian Movement and the spiritual motivations of the organization. “[The American Indian] Movement brought out of the spiritual which would help strengthen and reverse the devastating policies put in place by the US government and Canada and other colonizing governments of Central and South America.”
—> Watch Donna Fann-Boyle on our Livestream here.
Kelly Dova (Dakota Sioux from Lake Traverse Reservation) discussed her experience as an adoptee and reconnection to her Indigenous culture, and how it impacted her work as a leader at the Coalition of Natives and Allies to bring Indigenous children home from residential boarding schools. “We want these children back but we want it done our way, in our ceremonies, in our traditions. Not how they were telling us. We’re still battling the army.”
—> Watch Kelly Dova on our Livestream here.
Rep. Christopher M. Rabb of the 200th District in Philadelphia County shared a message about solidarity with Indigenous peoples by promoting justice and introducing legislation for Indigenous leadership. “It’s our responsibility to lean into solidarity, not in a performative or virtue signaling way but doing the real work and that work is not always easy. Sometimes you feel really alone when you’re speaking up but you are surrounded by love.”
—> Watch Christopher M. Rabb on our Livestream here.
THANK YOU
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity for Indigenous people to not only celebrate and share our cultures but to also bring attention to the needs of our communities. We thank these community members for speaking on critical issues that impact the Lenape and many other Nations across Turtle Island and Abya Yala. Their powerful words and feelings set the tone for another incredible Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Shackamaxon.
IPD Philly would like to recognize and thank all the amazing people and organizations who helped make Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philly, 2023 possible.
We truly appreciate everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, worked, spread the word, and donated to this year’s event. We are deeply honored that you took the time to stand in solidarity with us to help celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philadelphia.
We are so excited to continue increasing awareness of the Lenape/Delaware peoples and our diverse histories and cultures in the city.
This is one of a series of articles, we plan to wrote about the event, to check on what is comin up, click here and bookmaker.
Also, to continue supporting IPD Philly and all of our ongoing educational projects in addition to the annual event, you can donate here!
