Newton's sixth annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration drew crowds to Newton North High School on Monday, Oct. 12, filling the first-floor hallways with vendors, artisans, food and dancing.

Rain soaked Albemarle Field the night before, pushing the event indoors for the second straight year. The school had room for everyone, the Newton Beacon reported. The halls were packed with attendees, city and state officials and food vendors.

This year's theme was "Medicines of the Lands: Healing through Ancestral Plants," according to Fig City News. An outdoor opening ceremony featured prayers, dances and short speeches by tribal leaders before the crowd moved inside.

Earl Mills Jr., chief of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, told the gathering that all people are indigenous to the Earth, Fig City News reported. Akuahah Wheaton, a member of the Nipmuc Nation, reminded attendees that Indigenous Peoples Day is every day.

IPD Newton founder Dr. Darlene Flores said she hoped the holiday would one day spread across the state and country, Fig City News reported.

Mayor Marc Laredo, whose remarks were interpreted in American Sign Language by Sharon Mendes, called the celebration an opportunity to honor indigenous histories, cultures and traditions. Laredo said indigenous history is a living history reflected in communities that continue to enrich Newton, according to the Newton Beacon.

State Reps. Amy Sangiolo and Greg Schwartz attended, along with City Councilors Tarik Lucas, Cyrus Dahmubed and Sean Roche.

A drum circle accompanied dancers inside the school. Joel Cruz worked on hand-carved creations at his table. Artist and author Robert Peters signed pictures for visitors. Giancarlo Richardson and Emily Norton staffed an information table.

Newton's City Council voted 22-2 in 2020 to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. The first celebration followed in 2021, and the event has grown each year. In 2024, tribal leaders read a proclamation calling Newton's celebration the must-go-to event in the commonwealth, the Newton Beacon reported.

The IPD Newton planning committee formed in late 2020, right after the council vote.

Aukeeteamitch Brown, a Maine resident and daughter of IPD Newton Indigenous Community Liaison Hiawatha J. Brown, watched attendees move to drum rhythms at the Oct. 12 celebration. "This is what I grew up doing," Brown told Fig City News.

Residents can learn more or donate to support future events at ipdnewton.org.