Seeds Philly Celebration: A Tribute to Indigenous Culture
The 7th Annual Seeds Philly Celebration recently took place at Cherry Street Pier, becoming a heartfelt tribute to Indigenous arts and culture. This year’s event, held on Sept. 19 and 20, featured powwow dancing, Flag songs, tipi raisings, frybread, corn husk dolls, and an array of art booths showcasing the diversity of Native traditions.
Significance of the Event
This year’s celebration carried added importance, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It included a special artist installation addressing the hate language within the founding document. However, this may be the last Seeds Philly Celebration for the foreseeable future due to financial constraints, despite having received city funding this year.
Tailinh Agoyo, co-founder and executive director of We Are The Seeds, expressed the need for recognition of the event’s significance in highlighting the histories and present-day realities of Indigenous people on Lenape Land.
The Birth of Seeds Philly
Agoyo founded We Are The Seeds in 2016 to revitalize Indigenous heritage and culture in Philadelphia, where many Native cultural organizations were fading. She recalls the searching for community and conversation among Native people in the area.
The nonprofit has since expanded, introducing initiatives like Indigenous Listening Gardens and an Indigenous-led theatre project. Their podcast, From Here, With a View, features Indigenous artists and activists.
Despite the festival’s popularity, financial challenges loom as grants expire and expenses grow. Agoyo noted the bittersweet reality of potentially pausing the festival, which draws over 4,000 attendees yearly with a pay-what-you-can ticket policy.
The Celebration Goes On
This year’s festival proceeded with fervor, featuring traditional dancers and musicians. Vaughnda Hilton, executive director of the Native Nations Dance Group, emphasized the importance of the celebration to keep Indigenous culture alive.
Along the pier, Roger Sosakete Perkins prepared a fire-working kiln, meant to symbolize rebirth. He used clay bricks inscribed with “merciless Indian savages” — a phrase from the Declaration of Independence. His installation serves as a prompt for a necessary conversation about the country’s history.
As the celebration unfolded, it became clear that, regardless of future uncertainties, the Seeds Philly Celebration remains a vital occasion for connection, culture, and hope within the Indigenous community of Philadelphia.
