For the fifth year, Atlanta is excited to welcome back the First Voices Festival, a massive celebration of Indigenous culture, art, and activism right here in the heart of Atlanta.
With tons of traditional food, activities, storytelling, and more, you don’t want to miss out on this multifaceted and important festival. Keep scrolling to find out all about the First Voices Festival hosted in Little 5 Points!
The First Voices’ Art of Activism
To kick off the First Voices Festival in Little 5 Points, get ready for ‘Art of Activism’ at 7Stages in L5P.
During this opening event, guests can expect dynamic storytelling and music by William Harjo, an honored Muscogee (Creek) elder who has shared stories, music, and his fine flute-crafting techniques nationwide.
Singer-songwriter Mitch Walking Elk (Southern Cheyenne & Arapaho) will join Mr. Harjo in conversation and music-making on the 7Stages main stage for a special connection among elders.
According to First Voices Festival,
Participants will share a meal and vital conversations about the Doctrine of Discovery & the role of Christianity in the colonization of the original people of this land. A pre-show reception in the lobby, provided by food vendor and chef Tina Reyes (Apache) of Rez Juice, brings us authentic sweet and savory Fry Bread and RezBerry Juice made with Indigenous berries from across the Southeast. The mainstage will then be filled with stories and songs, connecting all through art, history, and everyday life.
The First Voices PowWow
The main event of the First Voices Festival is the 2-day, free-to-enter PowWow on Saturday & Sunday in Little 5 Points.
Here’s how the PowWow days break down:
- 10am Gates Open
- 10:30 Flute & Storytelling with William Harjo, Muscogee (Creek) Elder
- 11:20am Danza Azteca Acitlalmichitli
- Noon Grand Entry
- 12:30pm Exhibition & Intertribal dancing
- 2pm Danza Azteca Acitlalmichitli
- 2:30pm Flute & Storytelling with William Harjo
- 3pm Exhibition & Intertribal dancing
- 4:45pm Closing and Raffle drawing
- 5pm End of day / Gates Close
‘The Doctrine’ film screening at the Plaza
And then on November 27th, head to the Plaza for a screening of ‘The Doctrine’, a film by Gwendolen Cates with an original soundtrack by Pura Fé.
According to the festival’s website,
‘The Doctrine of Discovery’ is the term for 15th-century decrees issued by the Vatican that authorized conquest and colonization, codified racism and slavery, became international law, and were enshrined in U.S. law in 1823.
This film follows a group of Indigenous teenagers from Minneapolis/St. Paul who travel to Rome to meet with Vatican officials and advocate for the repudiation of the Doctrine.
Also featured are Indigenous activists in Aotearoa New Zealand, Guatemala, New Caledonia, and Puerto Rico. The film exposes how the Doctrine of Discovery has targeted communities of color, was the origin of the transatlantic slave trade, and enables corporate forces driving the climate crisis.
If you’re interested in learning more about ‘The Doctrine’, you can visit the film’s website, here.
Okay, I’ve gotta check this out! Details, please!
If you’d like to check out one (or all!) of these amazing festival happenings, here are all the details you need:
When:
- Art of Activism: November 20th
- PowWow: November 21st – 22nd
- Film screening: November 27th
Where:
- 7 Stages (Art of Activism)
- 1136 Austin Ave. Atlanta, GA (PowWow)
- Plaza Theatre (film screening)
Both the Art of Activism event & the two-day First Voices Festival are free, and tickets for the screening of THE DOCTRINE at the Plaza will be available soon!
You can learn more about the First Voices Festival on 7Stages’ website, here!
Don’t miss out on this incredible festival, Atlanta!