Indigenous People Festival 2019: Celebrating traditional and contemporary Native cultures

On June 8, 2019, Seattle Indian Health Board hosted the Indigenous People Festival as part of Seattle Center’s Festál series. The Festival featured a mix of traditional and contemporary performances at Seattle Center’s Armory Building and Mural Amphitheater stage. Vendors were set up all around the Armory Building selling their jewelry, artwork, and other goods.  

Various Native cultures were showcased throughout the Festival. The event kicked off in a good way with opening songs and prayer, and was then followed by the gifting of a drum to the band Portugal. The Man to show our appreciation for their efforts to bring awareness to Native issues, nationally and internationally.  

This year’s Festival was a huge success, and we are already starting to plan next year’s! Mark your calendars, Indigenous People Festival 2020 will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020.

Thank you to Chief Seattle Club and City of Seattle Human Services Department for their sponsorships, and thank you to all who came out and joined in on the fun. Check out the photo gallery below. 

Esther Lucero, Seattle Indian Health Board’s Chief Executive Officer, gave remarks and introduced performers on the Mural Amphitheater stage.
Abigail Echo-Hawk, Seattle Indian Health Board’s Chief Research Officer and Director of Urban Indian Health Institute, spoke with members of the band, Portugal. The Man.
Alaska Kuteeyaa Dancers performed on the Armory Building stage.

The Tlingit dance group, Haan Dei I Jin, performed on the Mural Amphitheater stage.
Itai Jeffries, Seattle Indian Health Board’s Traditional Health Program Director, led a cultural demonstration.

Hillel Echo-Hawk led a cooking demonstration featuring indigenous foods.

Vendors were spread throughout the Armory Building.
Tracey Lee Nelson performed Native blues on the Mural Amphitheater stage.
Ryan Yellowjohn, Native hoop dancer, performed on the Armory Building stage.

Star Nayea, Native singer-songwriter, performed on the Armory Building stage.
Harvest Moon Howell, Native story teller, performed in the Armory Building.

Peter Ali, Native flutist, performed on the Mural Amphitheater stage.

Cynthia Masterson led a beading demonstration.

Moved by Words performed on the Armory Building stage.

Howie Echo-Hawk performed with the band Ghost Horse on the Mural Amphitheater stage as part of Indigenize Productions.

Hailey Tayathy performed an Indigenous drag set on the Mural Amphitheater stage as part of Indigenize Productions.