Under leafy trees strung with festive lights, spectators at the 3rd annual Land Back Festival, a celebration of Indigenous culture at downtown Portland’s Shemanski Park, joined in a circle with dancers Sunday as drummers and singers set the rhythmic pace.
“Round dance is to come together,” said Harold Paul of the Four Directions drumming and dance group. “You’ll hear a heartbeat and always step to your left. It’s a simple dance.”
Amanda Stubits, whose Ittibani events production company has organized the Land Back Festival since the beginning, smiles at the crowds, a sign of the event’s success, then talks about the future. The festival that spotlights Indigenous traditions is no longer a part of the Portland Parks Foundation’s retiring PASEO program. This year and going forward, the event will be organized by members of Indigenous communities.
“This year is a pivotal year for us,” said Stubits, “Portland Parks Foundation saw the popularity of the event and how much it meant to our community and offered to transfer ownership of the event so it may continue.”
The event expanded beyond the park this year to include stick games and storytellers.
People stood in long lines to buy frybread, salmon and other dishes. Community groups such as the Northwest Portland Indian Health Board and Native Arts and Cultures Foundation passed out information and Jillene Joseph of the Native Wellness Institute and Future Generations Collaborative, spoke about the tiny home community Barbie’s Village for unhoused Indigenous families and the Land Back movement to return property to Indigenous stewardship and ownership.
— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072