In 2017, three Indigenous women organized an Indigenous Peoples’ Day (IPD) celebration and education event in Philadelphia. They had experienced firsthand the ill effects of the systemic erasure of Indigenous peoples in the United States and were motivated to create change. Particularly in Philadelphia, where 23,000 Native Americans live, but no federally recognized Tribal Nations exist, lack of representation and awareness negatively impacts policy, court decisions, and public support for Native communities, creating a void that is filled with toxic stereotypes and misperceptions. Their Indigenous Peoples’ Day event sought to counter this narrative and honor the history, heritage, and culture of the Lenni-Lenape people, who are the original inhabitants of Lenapehoking, which today includes Philadelphia, eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware.
Following the success of their first Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, they continued in 2018-19 to identify ways to elevate Indigenous history, provide education, and raise awareness of the diversity of Indigenous cultures in Philadelphia. Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly Inc (IPD Philly) was incorporated as a non-profit in May 2019 and today is the quintessential nonprofit in the city that promotes recognition and awareness of Indigenous peoples who have been historically oppressed and silenced.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, IPD Philly was forced to quickly adapt to find a way to continue their work. In partnership with PhillyCAM, they hosted a fully virtual 2-day Indigenous Peoples' Day event that drew over 1,000 attendees and included 25 Indigenous performers.
The pandemic also served as a catalyst for the organization to build a robust online presence and expand its use of media to promote social change. With funds provided by the Bread & Roses Fund and a dedicated volunteer team, IPD Philly made strides in improving its website, building a 4,000+ person social media following, and publishing a quarterly newsletter and monthly blog. Through their online channels, IPD Philly creates resources and shares informative articles focused on Indigenous issues. They are at the forefront of conversations regarding Indigenous sovereignty, immigration, and environmental justice.
IPD Philly continued to build on this success in 2021, which saw two major victories. The first included the signing of Executive Order 2-21 by Mayor Jim Kenney which marked the change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October. Secondly, IPD Philly started an Educational Awareness Campaign that engages Natives and Allies with our coalition-building activities, social justice, and humanity-based programs. These victories have increased interest in the organization and helped strengthen partnerships across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the East Coast, and across Indian Country.
