https://eventsinestes.com/first-peoples-festival/

First Peoples Festival, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park, CO (2026)

10/13/2026

Meet Nico Strange Owl, Our First Peoples Festival Consultant

We are honored to introduce Nico Strange Owl, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, cultural advocate, and owner of the historic Eagle Plume Trading in Allenspark, Colorado.

Nico brings decades of experience in Native art and culture to the First Peoples Festival. Her knowledge, relationships, and dedication have been invaluable as she and Becky Gruhl work behind the scenes to bring this festival to life.

This festival has truly been a labor of love. Nico's lifelong connection to Indigenous art runs deep, and through Eagle Plume’s, she continues a remarkable legacy of sharing Native art, history, and culture with visitors from around the world.

We often say, “The right people keep showing up.” Nico is one of those people, and we are incredibly grateful for her friendship, guidance, and commitment to the festival.

If you are joining us for the 2027 First Peoples Festival, be sure to visit Eagle Plume Trading in nearby Allenspark. Established in 1917, it is a unique and historic destination for Native art and culture.

10/12/2026

Join us for “We Are Still Here: Building a Welcoming Community for Native Americans,” a free cultural training presented by First Peoples Festival in partnership with Visit Estes Park, Estes Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Estes Park Colorado.

Featuring Steven LaPointe and Erlidawn Roy of 1st Tribal Consulting, this training will explore Native history, contemporary experiences, and practical ways to help Native guests feel welcomed, respected, and valued in our community.

This January, Estes Park will celebrate the fourth annual First Peoples Festival and launch the inaugural First Peoples Film Festival. This is a great opportunity for local businesses, volunteers, and community leaders to learn how we can better welcome Native guests, artists, filmmakers, and visitors from across the country.

Friday, October 30, 2026
Estes Park Events Complex
8:30 AM: Check-in and breakfast
9 AM–12 PM: Cultural training

Register here:
[https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-are-still-here-building-a-welcoming-community-for-native-americans-tickets-2002819060725]

Let’s work together to make Estes Park a community where everyone feels welcome.

10/12/2026

We are excited to announce that Carlin Bear Don’t Walk will be joining us for the 2027 First Peoples Festival in Estes Park, Colorado. We welcome him back.

Carlin is a Crow and Northern Cheyenne artist whose work reflects his cultural heritage, personal experiences, and connection to Indigenous storytelling. His contemporary paintings are vibrant, expressive, and deeply rooted in the people, places, and traditions that have shaped his life.

His artwork has been featured in exhibitions and collected by galleries, museums, universities, businesses, and private collectors. Carlin has also brought his artistic talents to children’s literature, including illustrating Wolf Cub’s Song by Native author Joseph Bruchac.

We are honored to have Carlin Bear Don’t Walk as part of the 2027 First Peoples Festival. His unique artistic voice and commitment to Indigenous storytelling will be a wonderful addition to our celebration of Native film, art, culture, and community.

Please join us in welcoming Carlin to Estes Park.

More details about Carlin’s participation will be announced soon.

10/11/2026

Angelo McHorse Joins the 2027 First Peoples Festival

We are excited to announce that Angelo McHorse will be joining us for the 2027 First Peoples Festival in Estes Park, Colorado.

Angelo McHorse is a member of the Red Willow People of Taos Pueblo, an Indigenous entrepreneur, community advocate, and co-founder of Bison Star Naturals, LLC, a Native-owned family business he operates with his wife, Jacquelene.

Angelo is also an inspiring voice through his podcast conversations and social media, where he shares thoughtful messages about Indigenous entrepreneurship, personal growth, resilience, family, community, and honoring ancestral wisdom. His work encourages others to embrace an abundance mindset, learn from those who came before us, and create opportunities for future generations.

Through his business and community work, Angelo has dedicated himself to supporting Native entrepreneurs and strengthening Indigenous communities. His story reflects the power of perseverance, cultural connection, family, and purpose.

We are honored to welcome Angelo McHorse to the 2027 First Peoples Festival and look forward to sharing his stories, experiences, and inspiring perspective with our festival community.

Please join us in welcoming Angelo to Estes Park.

More details about Angelo’s participation and our 2027 program will be announced soon.

10/10/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Gary Farmer will be joining us for the 2027 First Peoples Festival in Estes Park, Colorado.

Gary Farmer is a celebrated Cayuga actor, musician, director, and storyteller whose remarkable career has helped shape the landscape of Indigenous film and television for more than five decades. A citizen of the Cayuga Nation and a member of the Wolf Clan of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Gary has brought depth, humor, and authenticity to generations of audiences.

His acclaimed film work includes Powwow Highway, Dead Man, and Smoke Signals, with performances that earned him multiple Independent Spirit Award nominations. More recently, audiences have enjoyed his work as Uncle Brownie in the award-winning series Reservation Dogs, as well as his appearances in Resident Alien and other film and television productions.

Beyond acting, Gary has worked as a director, producer, journalist, and musician. Through his career, he has been a strong and influential voice for Indigenous storytelling and representation in the entertainment industry.

We are honored to welcome Gary Farmer to the First Peoples Festival. His extraordinary career and commitment to Indigenous storytelling embody the spirit of what we hope to celebrate through this festival: powerful stories, talented artists, cultural connection, and community. Please join us in welcoming Gary Farmer to Estes Park for the 2027 First Peoples Festival.

January 14–17, 2027
Estes Park, Colorado

More details about Gary's participation and our 2027 program will be announced soon.

We are building something very special, and we cannot wait to share it with you.

10/09/2026

Meet Our First Peoples Festival Dinner Chairs

We are pleased to introduce Sandra Huerta and Thad Eggen, owners of Twin Owls Steakhouse and Taharaa Mountain Lodge, and Chairs of the 2027 First Peoples Festival Dinner.

Sandra and Thad have supported the First Peoples Festival since its first year. Over the years, they have become valued partners and wonderful friends, generously sharing their hospitality and helping make our festival a welcoming experience for our guests.

Sandra, a Colorado native and Estes Park resident since 1999, has played an important role in establishing Twin Owls as a premier destination for fine dining, weddings, and special events. She is also actively involved in the Estes Park community and supports numerous local organizations and charitable efforts.

Thad has lived and worked in Estes Park since 1997. Since becoming General Manager of Twin Owls in 2009, he has helped build its reputation as one of the Estes Valley’s most respected fine-dining destinations while being actively involved in the local community.

Together, Sandra and Thad have created a hospitality experience at Twin Owls Steakhouse and Taharaa Mountain Lodge that reflects their love for Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains.

For the First Peoples Festival, they generously provide lodging for our VIP guests at Taharaa Mountain Lodge and host the First Peoples Festival Dinner at Twin Owls Steakhouse. This special gathering brings together filmmakers, artists, guests, and community members to share a meal, connect, and celebrate the beginning of the First Peoples Festival.

We are deeply grateful for Sandra and Thad’s continued support, generosity, and friendship. Their commitment has been an important part of the First Peoples Festival from the very beginning.

Please join us in welcoming Sandra Huerta and Thad Eggen as our 2027 First Peoples Festival Dinner Chairs.

First Peoples Festival
January 15–17, 2027
Estes Park, Colorado

Thank you, Sandra and Thad, for being part of our festival family from Day One.

10/08/2026

Meet Our Powwow Committee Chairs — Steve LaPointe and Erlidawn Roy

We are pleased to recognize Steve LaPointe and Erlidawn Roy of 1st Tribal Consulting, who are returning for their third year as Chairs of the First Peoples Festival Powwow Committee.
For three years, Steve and Erlidawn have provided leadership, knowledge, and dedication to help bring the Powwow to life as an important part of the First Peoples Festival.

Their work helps create a gathering that celebrates Indigenous culture, music, dance, tradition, family, community, and connection. We are grateful for their continued commitment and for the experience and care they bring to the planning of this special event. Through 1st Tribal Consulting, Steve and Erlidawn continue to play an important role in helping make the First Peoples Festival Powwow a meaningful and welcoming experience for participants, families, visitors, and the Estes Park community.

We are proud to have Steve LaPointe and Erlidawn Roy returning for their third year as Chairs of the Powwow Committee, and we look forward to another memorable celebration in 2027.

First Peoples Festival
January 15–17, 2027
Estes Park, Colorado

Please join us in welcoming back Steve and Erlidawn as we prepare for the 2027 First Peoples Festival Powwow.

More details coming soon.

10/07/2026

Meet Jody Naranjo — 2027 First Peoples Festival Art Show Committee

We are honored to introduce Jody Naranjo, an award-winning Native artist and a member of the 2027 First Peoples Festival Art Show Committee.

Jody is a celebrated Santa Clara Pueblo potter whose work carries forward the rich pottery traditions of her community while embracing her own distinctive contemporary style. Her pottery reflects a deep connection to family, culture, tradition, and the natural world.

Jody comes from an extraordinary family of artists. She is the daughter of renowned Santa Clara Pueblo potter Jody Folwell, and she grew up surrounded by the knowledge and traditions of generations of Native artists. Her work has earned numerous honors and is held in museum and private collections throughout the country.

As a respected artist and educator, Jody brings a deep understanding of Native art, cultural traditions, and the importance of supporting Indigenous artists. Her knowledge and perspective will be an important part of creating an Art Show that celebrates both traditional and contemporary Native creativity.

We are grateful to have Jody Naranjo serving on the 2027 First Peoples Film Festival Art Show Committee and look forward to the experience, artistry, and cultural knowledge she brings to this exciting event.

First Peoples Festival
January 15–17, 2027
Estes Park, Colorado

Stay tuned as we introduce more of the talented artists and committee members helping bring this celebration of film, art, culture, and storytelling to Estes Park.

10/06/2026

Meet Dallin Maybee — Chair of the 2027 First Peoples Festival Art Market Committee

We are honored to introduce Dallin Maybee, an accomplished Northern Arapaho and Seneca artist, attorney, educator, public speaker, and performer, who is Chair of the 2027 First Peoples Festival Art Market Committee.

Raised on the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation in Western New York, Dallin comes from a family with a strong tradition of Native arts and beadwork. His own artistic work includes beadwork, ledger-style artwork, and contemporary pieces exploring Native identity, culture, and the connection between tradition and contemporary life.

Dallin’s artwork has received national recognition, including Best of Show at the Santa Fe Indian Market, as well as honors at other prominent Native art markets and exhibitions. His work is in collections at institutions including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Autry Museum, the Heard Museum, and the Portland Art Museum.

Beyond his work as an artist, Dallin has an extensive background in Native arts leadership. He has served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), the organization behind the renowned Santa Fe Indian Market. He has also worked in Native rights and advocacy and brings a strong understanding of the importance of supporting Indigenous artists and cultural expression.

Dallin’s diverse experience and lifelong connection to Native arts make him a tremendous leader for our Art Market Committee. We are excited to have him help to create an Art Market that showcases the creativity, talent, craftsmanship, and cultural richness of Indigenous artists.

Please join us in welcoming Dallin Maybee, Chair of the 2027 First Peoples Film Festival Art Market Committee.

First Peoples Festival
January 15–17, 2027
Estes Park, Colorado

More information about the Art Market and participating artists will be coming soon.

10/05/2026

Meet Yvonne Russo — 2027 First Peoples Film Festival Committee

We are proud to introduce Yvonne Russo, an award-winning director, producer, and writer who is serving on the 2027 First Peoples Film Festival Committee.

A proud member of the Sicangu Lakota Tribal Nation of South Dakota, Yvonne has dedicated much of her distinguished career to film and television, with a strong focus on Indigenous stories, history, culture, and voices that deserve to be heard.

Among her many accomplishments, Yvonne directed and produced the acclaimed documentary series Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae, which explores the life and death of Indigenous activist Annie Mae Aquash. The series received the 2025 Humanitas Prize for documentary work.

She also directed, wrote, and produced VIVA VERDI!, a feature documentary exploring the lives of retired opera singers and musicians living at Casa Verdi in Milan. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

Yvonne’s impressive body of work also includes producing the feature film Naturally Native, co-producing True Whispers: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers, and directing the animated short Minnie’s War Bonnet, honoring Lakota woman warrior Minnie Hollow Wood.

Throughout her career, Yvonne has used film as a powerful way to preserve history, share culture, and bring underrepresented stories to audiences around the world.

We are honored to have Yvonne Russo as a member of the 2027 First Peoples Film Festival Committee. Her experience, vision, and dedication to Indigenous storytelling will be an important part of bringing this exciting festival to Estes Park.

First Peoples Film Festival
January 15–17, 2027
Park Theatre | Estes Park, Colorado

Please join us in welcoming and celebrating Yvonne Russo.

First Peoples Festival

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