Native American artists, musicians and vendors converge on Oakland for day of Native culture and entertainment
OAKLAND, Calif., June 17, 2022 –– Next Saturday, June 25, La Escuelita Elementary School near Downtown Oakland will be the site of the first-ever “Many Nations on One Land: Native American Summer Music and Cultural Festival,” which will feature Native American musicians, food vendors, artisans, dancers, and other performers from across the nation. The all-ages event, which is free to attend, starts on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. This community event is open to all members of the public and is both entertaining and educational.
Performers who have already been confirmed for the festival include Oakland’s own All Nations Singers, which is one of the oldest pow wow singing groups in northern California; the blues band the Bobby Young Project; singer-songwriter Calina Lawrence; Oakland-based Native American rapper C-Log, who will be making his stage debut at the festival; Oakland resident Doug Duncan and the Sonoma County Pomo Dance Group, which will share tribal dances and songs of the Pomo tribe; and Native American drag performers Landa Lakes In the intervening time between sets, DJ Interval will be behind the booth spinning some tracks. Jackie Kelliaa, an Oakland-based comedian who is also performing, and Manny Lieras, the OUSD Title VI Indian Education Coordinator at the American Indian Child Resource Center, are the two hosts of the evening.
In addition to the performances and the exhibitors, the festival will also feature various cultural arts workshops. During these workshops, local Native American artists will instruct attendees on how to make corn husk dolls, feather hair sticks, and beaded earrings. The following businesses have committed to selling their goods during the event: RedGear, E14 Gallery, Kirbear Yurok Designs, Where the Land Meets the Sky Studio, and Turquoise Hogan Creationz.
“We’re all excited for this opportunity to share each of our arts as well as Native American
culture generally with the wider community and to celebrate the start of summer in beautiful Oakland, California,” said Jackie Kelliaa, who is helping to organize the event. “Putting on an event like this is a true community effort, so it’s incredible to see how it’s all come together. Whether you’re a member of the Native community or just looking for an engaging way to spend an early summer afternoon, I’m certain you’ll have a great time at ‘Many Nations.’” “Many Nations on One Land: Native American Summer Music and Cultural Festival” is being generously sponsored by the City of Oakland’s Neighborhood Voices for Festivals grant program, the American Indian Child Resource Center, the Sogorea Te Land Trust and Oakland Unified School District.
What: “Many Nations on One Land: Native American Summer Music and Cultural Festival”
When: Saturday, June 25, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: La Escuelita Elementary School, 1050 2nd Ave, Oakland, CA 94606
Cost: Free to enter (cash/card payment required for food and arts/crafts vendors)
Who should attend?: Everyone! All members of the community are welcome at this all-ages
event.
About “Many Nations on One Land: Native AmericanSummer Music and Cultural Festival”
“Many Nations on One Land” is a cultural festival featuring Native American musicians, dancers,
cultural activities, food vendors, and a Native artisan market. This community gathering is free,
all-ages and open to the public. It is sponsored by the City of Oakland Neighborhood Voices for
Festivals grant program, which amplifies the cultural expressions, stories, and heritage within
Oakland’s neighborhoods; the American Indian Child Resource Center; Sogorea Te Land Trust;
and Oakland Unified School District.
Contact
For additional questions, please contact festival organizer Jackie Keliiaa by phone at 510-936-
1770 or email her at keliiaa@gmail.com.
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