Happy Indigenous Peoples Day. How to celebrate at Cahokia's festival in downtown Phoenix

Shanti Lerner, Arizona Republic
·3 min read
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Indigenous Peoples Day will be in full celebration in the Roosevelt Row arts district on Monday, Oct. 10, at Cahokia, a SocialTech + ArtSpace that will be hosting the festival to celebrate Indigenous nations.

The free event will feature live music, skate demos and competitions, native foods, a vendor market, Indigenous film screenings with Indie Film Fest, an Indigenous fashion show and other family friendly activities.

Here's your guide to Indigenous Peoples Day Phoenix Fest.

What is Indigenous Peoples Day? Everything to know

Things to do at Indigenous Peoples Day Phoenix Fest 2022

Chadwick Pasqual works on a piece at the new Cahokia art space during First Friday on Dec. 3, 2021, in Phoenix.
Chadwick Pasqual works on a piece at the new Cahokia art space during First Friday on Dec. 3, 2021, in Phoenix.

RezFest Main Stage: Watch and listen to local Indigenous bands and musicians on the RezFest main stage. Performances are from 3 p.m-10 p.m. From rockabilly, rock, blues, and acoustic soul R&B, there will be a variety of musical genres.

Uncontained Cultural Stage: Located at the Roosevelt Row Welcome Center, guests can experience a variety of  cultural performances including dance, written word and song. Visitors can also view several murals on display.

Downtown Showdown Skateboard Competition: Watch skaters compete for prizes in this competition hosted by Indigenous skateboard company Seven Layer Army. There are three categories: 7-10 years old, 11-16 years old and 16 and up. The park opens at 3 p.m. Registration starts at 4 p.m. and the competition starts at 5 p.m. This event will take place at 901 N. Central Ave.

The Desert Bloom Flash Tattoo: The Desert Bloom Tattoo & Salon will be giving pre-drawn flash tattoos to anyone wanting to get special edition ink. Tattoos are 3x3-inches and cost $60.00 with $5.00 extra charge for add-on colors. This flash tattoo event will include a DJ, drinks, light snacks and Halloween candy.  The line starts at 11:00 a.m. and is first-come, first-serve. This event will take place at 901 N. Central Ave.

Indigenous Peoples Day: What's open and closed on the holiday? 

Indigenous Film Screening: Visitors will have the opportunity to watch a selection of screenings from award-winning filmmakers and directors. From Indie Film Fest winners to a Sundance Film Festival jury award winner, view the film lineup at ipdphx.com/indigenous-film-screenings.

Indigenous Pop-Up Market: Check out over 100 artisans and creatives who craft and produce their items in the Southwest.

RISE Mural + Projection Show Unveiling: Guests will have an immersive experience with color, movement, story and light through temporary projected murals. These projected murals were created by a variety of Indigenous designers, artist and creatives.

Cahokia Gallery Exhibit: The exhibition will showcase the works of Indigenous artists curated from two venues: the Gateway Community College Gallery and Cahokia in downtown Phoenix.

The Churchill Experience: This paid portion of the festival will give visitors access to NDN Collective VIP Premier Stage which will include a musical lineup and a fashion show inside the Churchill, beverages and food. VIP tickets range from $25 to $125. For more information VIP ticket tiers visit: eventbrite.com/e/indigenous-peoples-day-phoenix-fest-tickets-391814827697.

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What is Cahokia in downtown Phoenix?

Cahokia is a SocialTech + ArtSpace  located inside the Linx PHX apartment that opened on Oct. 11, 2021. The organization provides gallery and exhibit areas, retail and co-working spaces, workshops, markets and events for underrepresented communities.

Co-founders and partners are Eunique Yazzie of the Navajo Nation and Melody Lewis, who is Hopi, Tewa and Mojave have created the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Phoenix Fest in collaboration with the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation, The Churchill, NDN Collective, Native Guitar Tours, Seven Layer Army skateboards and several others to create a celebration honoring First Nation peoples.

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How to attend Indigenous Peoples Day Phoenix Fest

When: 3-10 p.m, Monday, Oct. 10.

Where: First and Garfield Streets, Phoenix.

Admission: Free. VIP tickets required for The Churchill experience.

Details: ipdphx.com

Indigenous Peoples’ Day map in the Roosevelt Row arts District, 2022.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day map in the Roosevelt Row arts District, 2022.

You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com  or you can also follow her on Twitter. 

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Indigenous Peoples Day 2022: Guide to downtown Phoenix festival