First Voices Festival 2025

The fourth annual First Voices Festival is a multifaceted celebration of Indigenous cultures based in Atlanta, Georgia. Events include: Art of Activism, a night of storytelling, music and traditional foods; a two day outdoor Powwow; Say Their Names, a special staged presentation featuring film and live performance, and a screening of the documentary She Cried That Day. These events are brought to you by 7 Stages, Turtle Island Trading, Little 5 Points Cultural District, Zintkala Zi Powwow, Plaza Theatre and Out of Hand.

Event Schedule

Art of Activism – Stories from William Harjo and a shared meal

November 14, 2025 at 7:00pm

7 Stages Theatre – 1105 Euclid Ave NE Atlanta, GA

This event features storytelling and music with honored elder William Harjo, a Muscogee (Creek) elder who shares stories, music, and his fine flute crafting techniques across the country. Participants will engage in a shared meal and vital conversations around food traditions of the original people of this land.

A preshow reception in the lobby provided by food vendor and chef Tina Reyes (Apache) of Rez Juice brings us authentic sweet and savory Fry Bread and lemonade. The mainstage will then be filled with stories and songs around food and childhood connecting all through art and everyday life.

Powwow – outdoor family friendly celebration

November 15 and 16, 2025 from 10am to 5pm

1136 Austin Ave NE Atlanta, GA

This outdoor two day Powwow is presented by Zintkala Zi Powwow, led by Buffalo Yellowbird, a citizen of Oglala Lakota Nation. The Powwow includes traditional drummers and dancers, traditional foods, (fry bread, buffalo burgers, roasted corn, etc.), Indigenous vendors (jewelry, arts and crafts), demonstrations, and storytelling. Family friendly free event. Everyone is welcome! Click here to learn about Powwow etiquette.

Say Their Names – presentation in partnership with Out of Hand Theater

November 21, 2025 at 7:30pm

7 Stages Theatre – 1105 Euclid Ave NE Atlanta, GA

In partnership with Out of Hand Theater, this work in development will be presented as part of 7 Stages’ Home Brew Series. Written by Marcie Rendon (citizen of the White Earth Nation), Say Their Names began as a spoken word piece about the estimated 4,754 missing and murdered Indigenous women across the United States and Canada. It has evolved into a multi-media theater presentation using poetry and prose to document and address the historical, societal invisibilization of Native women and children. Delving into the community concerns that led Native communities to begin a public outcry about the ever increasing numbers, it is written to move people to question and take action on behalf of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (#mmiw).

This presentation features interwoven film and live performances of the script. It will be followed by a community conversation about the lack of media representation for victims in all marginalized communities, and how we can create a collective framework for continued dialogue, healing, and action.

She Cried That Day – Documentary Film Screening

November 28, 2025 at 7:00pm

Plaza Theatre – 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA

This special screening of the documentary She Cried That Day at Plaza Theatre features a post show dialogue with Director Amanda Erickson, who grew up in Peachtree City and earned her film degree at Georgia State University. She is a member of the San Carlos Apache, and her film is about missing and murdered Indigenous women in New Mexico.

Christine Means and her family have spent years questioning the circumstances surrounding her sister’s death. In 2019, a renewed sense of hope for justice places Christine at the center of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives movement in New Mexico. As she becomes a voice for her sister, we get an inside look into how this deadly crisis takes a toll on a family, a community and a state. This is a story of love, spirit, and the unwavering power of Indigenous Women and Allies who refuse to let their loved ones remain invisible in the eyes of the justice system. Click here to watch the trailer!

To learn more about the history of First Voices Festival CLICK HERE

Thanks to our sponsors for making the 2025 First Voices Festival possible:

SPECIAL THANKS TO :

Wrecking Bar, WRFG, Unsolicited Cooking, Atlanta Toolbank, Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson, Atlanta Downtown South at GSU, Java Lords, Inter Atlanta FC, Georgia Works, Emil’ Keme (K’iche’ Maya Nation), Wade Marbaugh with the E-Church, Kristen Manion Taylor, Christopher Escobar, Gary Seputis, Michael Denlinger, Anïsa Lewis, John Reynolds, Gabi Collard, George Kotler-Wallace, Kai Anwuzia, Nicolette Emmanuele, Josef “Wuzii” Anwuzia, Matt Brohammer, Tom Priester, Lucinda Armbrust-Kohler, Edwin Jamison and all of the volunteers who made First Voices Festival possible.