Harvest for All First Nations, an organization based in Boulder that focuses on Indigenous food sovereignty, held its third annual Corn Festival in Longmont this past weekend. The all-day event kicked off with an Aztec ceremony honoring the harvest, and also included a panel discussion on the Indigenous land reclamation movement, a traditional foods cooking demonstration and Native American musical performances.
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Kimberly Dominguez, one of the dancers from Rocky Mountain Indigenous Dancers poses before performing.
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Stella StandingBear, the headliner of the Corn Festival, performed songs from her new album.
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Calvin Standing Bear stands at the Corn Festival in Longmont, Colo.
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During one of several musical performances, Sedona Moreno-Castelan dances along at the Corn Festival. The event featured music, educational talks, a powwow and an Indigenous food court.
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A detail of Calvin Standing Bear's necklace during the Corn Festival.
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Melissa Ivey sings during her performance at the Corn Festival. The festival was held to highlight Indigenous culture and traditions as well as celebrate Indigenous talen.
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Chasing Hawk Standing Bear wears a beaded necklace and poses for a photo at the Corn Festival.
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Part of the Corn Festival was the Corn Mother alter, which was created by the artist Cal Duran. The alter was also used for those who wanted spiritual cleansing.
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Flowers sit at the base of the Corn Mother alter.
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Anthony Martinez, one of the dancers from Rocky Mountain Indigenous Dancers, stands for a photos before performing.
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Prior to the children's dancing competition, young boys line up next to each other.
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Following her performance, festival headliner Jackie Bird smiles.
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Prior to the powwow, Shaheila Holt sits and has her hair braided by Raelene Whiteshield.
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Joslyn Running Wolf, head girl of the festival, performed during the powwow.
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Dancers perform during the competitive portion of the powwow.
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Bad Company Singers performed all of the drum music for the Corn Festival Powwow.
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Bad Company Singers performed all of the drum music for the Corn Festival Powwow.
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The light illuminates a dancer's headdress during the closing ceremony at the Corn Festival Powwow in Longmont, Colo.
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The artful beadwork and creation of a powwow dress is illuminated in the closing ceremony lights at the Corn Festival.
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After performing at the Corn Festival powwow, children walk away from the grounds at sunset. The Corn Festival was hosted by the Harvest of All Nations in Longmont on September 28.
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The photography in this story is funded by the Reflecting Colorado Photo Desk grant. KUNC, with support from the Colorado Media Project, aims to diversify visual storytelling by showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the Centennial State. The Photo Desk project is a step towards embracing digital innovation and fostering inclusivity in storytelling.
