This Saturday, June 12, 2021, the City of Montgomery Department of Cultural Affairs and the Alabama Indigenous Coalition will co-host the 2nd Saturday to be held at Riverwalk Amphitheater. The event will start at 11 am and conclude at 3 pm.
The City of Montgomery Cultural Affairs Department plans to continue this series of 2nd Saturday Multicultural Festival Series through August 2021. This is an initiative to increase inclusivity and bring awareness regarding the diversity of communities that exist in Montgomery.
The Alabama Indigenous Coalition is a native-led nonprofit focused on equity, accountability and building a global awareness regarding Indigenous education and culture. “We are honored and excited to co-host with the City of Montgomery Department of Cultural Affairs on this event. We are excited to not only bring awareness of Native culture, songs, dances, art, and vendors but also a panel of Native leaders to share their vision and voices with the Capital City,” states Valerie Adams, co-founder and President.
The Multicultural Festival Series is a free, family friendly event that will incorporate Native Americans from Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and South Dakota.
WHO: There will be performances by the following groups.
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Southern Pine Drum Group and the Mystic Wind Choctaw Social Dancers of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
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Hoop Dancing presentation by Lyndon Alec of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe
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Native Flute presentation by Allen Winters of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
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Storytelling and Stickball presentation by Harold “Doc” Comby of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
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A special Round Dance performance by Audrey Lemley, Northeast Cherokee Tribe of Alabama
Additionally, there will be a panel discussion facilitated by Dr. Brooke Burks, Interim Chief Diversity Officer of Auburn University Montgomery with six Native American panelists. Topic discussions will range from understanding Choctaw history, Blood quantum, Afro-Indigenous in Alabama, Representation in Politics Matters, Indigenous Movements using Social Media to Make Change and the Resurgence of Native Identity in the South.
Panel Includes:
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Candace Fayard, Member at Large of the Poarch Creek Tribal Council, Poarch Creek Band of Indians
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Harold ‘Doc’ Comby, an elder and historian with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
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Virginia Applebaum, attorney and candidate for Senate District 14, Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
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Michelle Browder, owner of “More than Tours” and a Choctaw/Cherokee Descendent
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Dr. Cindy Tekobbe, Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
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Audrey Lemley, Tribal Council Member, Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
For more information, contact Valerie Adams at vadams@alabamaindigenouscoalition.org or 334-296-0474.
