A gloomy Monday, Oct. 14 was brought to life through the color and culture on display at the 4th annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Ceremonial Celebration at Albemarle Park in Newton, Massachusetts.
The event started with a traditional pipe-blowing ceremony to bless the fairgrounds. Hiawatha Brown, an Indigenous Community Liaison, and Chief Sachem Dean Stanton of the Narragansett Tribe performed this rite.
After the conclusion of the opening ceremony, all in attendance could wander the aisles lined with Indigenous artisans, cooks, activists and more. The Medicine Circle at the center of the grounds hosted a series of performances and speakers.
As the fire in the center of the circle was tended by leaders in the Indigenous Community, attendees heard stories of resilience from spokespeople representing various tribes and organizations.
Attendees were allowed to witness traditions like the coming-of-age dance for a young member of a tribe. Traditions kept up despite centuries of discrimination, symbolizing the strength and unity in Indigenous communities.
Beat Reporter Paige Albright was on the scene to capture those moments.
Opening of the dance of the ancestors. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.The second drummer joining in the dance of the ancestors, signaling their coming of age in the Indigenous Community. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Indigenous women dancing for the ceremonial to honor the strength and power of themselves and women who came before them. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Chants performing to honor the land as the dance for Mother Earth goes. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Dancers circling the drummer and passing a symbolic baton. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.
Indigenous Community member watching the first speaker giving speech. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Dancer starting performance as traditional throat signing goes. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Vendors showcasing indigenous textiles, clothings and more. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Vendors selling various goods, from herbs to instruments. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Sito Zakatki, a musical artist specializing in Indigenous music, makes and sells handmade leather and wood items using traditional Indigenous methods. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Zataktil displaying his conch, an instrument he has performed with around the globe. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.Jewelry sold by ‘Two Souls,’ an Indigenous-owned company specializing in handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces. Photo Courtesy of Paige Albright/BU News Service.
