The Second Annual Meshanticut Confestival

July 30, 2024

The Federation of Aboriginal Nations of the Americas will be hosting its second Annual International Meshanticut Con-Festival in Providence, Rhode Island on August 21-25, 2024. I will be attending the event and it is open to the public.

Its Mission is “To advance the cultural placemaking sector and stimulate interest and Investment in cultural placemaking as a premier strategy for promoting tourism and equitable economic development.”

 

Here is a brief background as to how such an international celebration came into being.

​

Over the past ten years, FANA has been cultivating relationships with a multitude of Indigenous Ambassadors and Diplomats representing their Country’s Indigenous people. They are Ambassadors to the United Nations and/or sit on the many different United Nations Committees addressing the needs of the Indigenous Populations of the World.

As a result of the relationships formed over the years, it was decided amongst the many Ambassadors that an international event should be held. The leadership of FANA agreed to Co-host such a gathering in Providence, Rhode Island. It was agreed that the City of Providence was the perfect setting and would be the location for future Annual Con-Festivals. Click here to read the Daily Kos article dated 8/14/23.

Therefore, as we are still confirming the attendance and participation of the many sponsors for the second annual Meshanticut event, I would like to share some of the upcoming events.

One of the Guest Speakers will be SandHill Tribal Member Kevin Inglesby. “…He is a PhD candidate in the Applied Anthropology & Cultural Heritage program at the University of Montana. With a focus on political anthropology and semiotics, or the study of signs, symbols, and meaning, he seeks to study the relationships between language, culture, and political landscapes. In doing so, he aims to contribute to conversations regarding heritage and economy, language revitalization, and the broader implications of political agency and status."

"His presentation at the Meshanticut Placemaking Con-festival will cover an array of material with regard to the relationship between language and culture. From theoretically informed dispositions, a proposed educational program, to interfacing with the United Nations Kevin will talk about the complexity inherent in language and culture. Kevin will be doing a 45-minute presentation on Friday, August 23, 2024.” To learn more about Kevin, please click here.

FANA’s Ambassador to Mexico and Cultural Attaché for Outreach and Repatriations of Antiquities and Artifacts, SandHill Tribal Member Mr. Guadalupe Casas Acosta, Mazatzin D. H. C, will be a guest speaker on Friday.

He will present an Introduction to the Aztec Calendar, explaining its influence and relevance in these modern times. Click here to see the event flyer for more details.

One of the most interesting developments that has occurred is that the Meshanticut Con-Festival will be hosting a premier of the film - Mountain Lion. This film was directed by Brooklyn Demme and produced by SandHill Tribal Member, Norris War Turtle Branham. Also appearing in the film is SandHill Tribal Member, Obadiah Berry. It will be shown on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 1:45 – 4 PM. There will be a question-and-answer session after the viewing.

Here is a brief description of the film. “Mountain Lion is an intense drama about personal relationships, mental health, and family dynamics, which uses magical realism to express mindfulness in intimate relationships and seriousness in prayer. Directed by Brooklyn Demme and led in prayer by producer Norris War Turtle Branham Mountain Lion earned official selection status in the 2024 Hip Hop Film Fest and carries the honor of the Tribal Seal of the SandHill Band of Lenape & Cherokee Indians of NJ. We thank the Creator for bringing us together for the healing of all nations.”

The Director, Brooklyn Demme “…learned the heartbeat of filmmaking from his dad, the deeply loving, academy award winner Jonathan Demme. He is humble before the power of film, which he uses to bring people together at the intersection of community, education, and film through an organization he co-founded called Truth 2 Power. Their range of offerings includes public library programs, documentary and fictional film production, and even a credit-bearing film course Honoring African Cultural Continuity in Film made possible by College Unbound. He is learning in the field thanks to the generosity and friendship he has received from many individuals and communities including the Ramapough Lenape Nation, the SandHill Band of Lenape & Cherokee Indians of NJ, and the Haverstraw African American Connection.” Click here to view the event flyer.

Returning for this upcoming Festival will be Peter Rogina, Founder of Peace Lights. He will be one of the keynote speakers addressing “Peace Education Acceleration Across Ethnic and Tribal Boundaries.”

“The talk will describe the critical efforts aimed at accelerating the timelines for peace education in the African Union, emphasizing the necessity of securing buy-in from all ethnic groups involved. The discussion will highlight the strategies and programs designed to promote peace education swiftly and effectively, ensuring that it reaches and is embraced by diverse communities across regions. The talk will underline the importance of culturally sensitive approaches and the active participation of all ethnic groups to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of peace education initiatives.

Furthermore, the talk will explore the potential for expanding the scope of these peace education efforts to indigenous populations around the world. Recognizing the unique challenges and perspectives of indigenous communities, the discussion will explore what would be required to integrate the rich cultural heritage and traditional conflict resolution methods into the broader peace education framework. By doing so, the initiatives not only become more inclusive but also enrich the global narrative of peace with diverse insights and practices. The talk will emphasize that achieving peace is a collective endeavor, and the involvement of indigenous populations is crucial for creating a more harmonious and understanding global society.”

Another attendee, H. E. Ambassador Dr. Stephen Kojo Sackey will be a keynote speaker on Thursday. He is the United Nations Eminent Peace Ambassador/Africa Focal Point, United Nations – IAWPA. He is “dedicated to promoting global peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development.”