First Peoples Festival

05/29/2026

Calling All Indigenous Vendors!

We are excited to invite Indigenous artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to apply to be a vendor at the First Peoples Festival!

This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your products, share your culture, connect with the community, and celebrate the rich traditions and creativity of Indigenous Peoples.

New this year: The First Peoples Festival will feature a juried art show, offering an exciting opportunity for Indigenous artists to have their work recognized.

Whether you create artwork, jewelry, clothing, traditional crafts, food products, or other unique items, we encourage you to apply and be part of this special event.

📅 Vendor applications close on August 1, so be sure to submit your application before the deadline! Vendor spaces are limited.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/uW9BWLd3HZVqoJjb7

05/28/2026

Designer call for the First People’s Fashion Show

Designer applications are live!

https://linktr.ee/fpfs.collective


Photographer: Nikki Gonzales

Model: Chett Elliot

Designer: Tisha Thompson

Jeweler: Kay Francis

Blanket: Sackcloth & Ashes

05/13/2026

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE ⚠️

Please be aware that if you receive a suspicious email or a Venmo payment request for a vendor's booth, it is NOT from the Town of Estes Park.

Unfortunately, Becky’s computer was hacked, and fraudulent messages may have been sent out. Please do NOT send any payments or respond to these requests. Delete the message immediately.

Thank you for your attention and caution.

05/11/2026

Enjoy this video of the 2026 First People’s Fashion Show created by Joe Center. Photo credits go to him as well!

We can't wait to see what 2027 will bring!

Enjoy this video and photos created and taken by Joe Center

05/08/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Otakwan Kissling will be returning as the collaborative director and producer of the First Peoples Fashion Show in 2027.

The Indigenous First Peoples Collective of designers, models, artists, hairstylists, and makeup artists will come together once again to honor ancestral traditions while shaping the future of sustainable luxury fashion. This is a powerful celebration of creativity, culture, and innovation.

Otakwan Acahkos Iskwiw, “Evening Star Woman,” is a traditional Métisse woman from St. Louis, Saskatchewan. She is known internationally as a model and cultural advocate, carrying forward teachings rooted in Indigenous stewardship, sacred site protection, healing, and self-love. She also gives back through community work and homeschooling her son.

Stay tuned for the designer lineup—so many beautiful things are coming.


First People’s Fashion Show

05/07/2026

Big news! The First Peoples Festival Film Symposium is officially launching as a full Film Festival in 2027.

Led by Julianna Brannum, an accomplished documentary filmmaker based in Oklahoma, our Film Committee is bringing this exciting vision to life. Julianna has been curating the Symposium for the past two years, building a powerful platform for Indigenous storytelling, and now takes it to the next level.

She is joined by committee members Yvonne Russo, Jeremy Charles, and Ise White, each bringing deep experience and commitment to Indigenous film, storytelling, and creative leadership.

Julianna’s work spans major projects including The American Buffalo with Ken Burns, PBS’s Native America, and films featured at Sundance, MoMA, and SXSW.

Even more exciting, the festival will take place the week before the Sundance Film Festival as it transitions to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027.

More information to come!

05/06/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Jody Naranjo will join us as a guest judge for the 2027 First Peoples Festival juried market.

An Award-Winning Artist
Jody Naranjo is an award-winning Tewa potter from Santa Clara Pueblo, celebrated for her innovative approach to traditional pottery. Drawing from generations of artistic heritage, she blends time-honored techniques with contemporary design, creating work that is both deeply rooted and refreshingly original. Her distinctive sgraffito designs, whimsical motifs, and storytelling have earned her numerous accolades and a prominent place in the world of Native American art. Her work is featured in prestigious collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, the Heard Museum, and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.

We are honored to welcome such an influential and inspiring artist to the festival. More information to come.

05/05/2026

We’re proud to celebrate acclaimed Oglala Lakota chef Sean Sherman—known as “The Sioux Chef”—for his recent appearance as a guest judge on Chopped: Indigenous Inspirations!

Sean continues to lead a powerful movement centered on Indigenous food sovereignty, education, and cultural revitalization. In Minnesota, his award-winning restaurant Owamni in Minneapolis has gained national recognition for its groundbreaking approach—featuring a menu made entirely from Indigenous ingredients and intentionally excluding colonial staples like dairy, wheat, and refined sugar. The restaurant, which opened in 2021 and later earned a James Beard Award, is now part of his nonprofit North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS), helping expand access to Indigenous foods and training opportunities for Native communities.

Beyond the restaurant, Sean’s work continues to grow through initiatives like the Indigenous Food Lab and new culinary projects focused on education, community impact, and restoring traditional foodways.

We are especially honored that Sean was our very first Guest Chef Speaker at the 2025 First Peoples Festival. His vision, leadership, and storytelling helped lay the foundation for what has become an inspiring and meaningful tradition.

It’s always incredible to see his influence recognized on a national stage—congratulations, Sean!

05/04/2026

Mariah Gladstone recently appeared on Food Network’s Chopped: Indigenous Inspirations, showcasing her incredible talent and deep commitment to Indigenous foods and culture on a national stage. What an amazing moment to witness!

We were especially honored to have Mariah as our Guest Chef at the 2026 First Peoples Festival, where she shared her knowledge, creativity, and passion with our community. She also brought her cookbook to the market, giving attendees a chance to connect even more with her work and bring those flavors home.

Seeing her shine like this fills us with so much pride—congratulations, Mariah!

05/03/2026

Join us at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance for Healing Day! First Peoples Festival will be there with information about the Festival on May 23 at 10:00 am.