Indigenous Arts and Storytelling Festival Slated for Aug. 1-2
Posted on July 15, 2025
The Missoula Public Library and several community partners will host the inaugural IndigiPalooza MT: Indigenous Arts & Storytelling Festival, a vibrant two-day celebration of Indigenous creativity, on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2. Centered on the enduring and evolving power of Indigenous storytelling, the festival will bring together an inspiring array of artists, writers, musicians and makers from across Indigenous communities.
The event will open Friday, Aug. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. with a First Friday Indigenous Art Show at the Missoula Public Library. Curated by the Missoula Art Museum, the exhibit will showcase the work and perspectives of Indigenous artists. Joy Harjo, three-term U.S. Poet Laureate and the first Native person to hold that post, will share her poetry and insights at 6:30 p.m. in the Montana Theatre at the University of Montana.
IndigiPaloozaMT is honored to welcome Harjo as the keynote speaker. Her work — grounded in Native rights, cultural renewal and the strength of memory, community and spiritual connection — reflects a commitment to celebrating the power of voice, language and story in Indigenous communities and to honoring these stories on the lands from which they come. The festival will continue Saturday, Aug. 2, with a full day of presentations from Indigenous artists, writers and musicians, as well as an art market, running from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Level Four of the library. All events are free and open to the public.
Spanning multiple forms of expression — from poetry and literature to visual art, traditional foodways and music — IndigiPalooza MT offers attendees an opportunity to engage with the diverse voices of Indigenous creators, honoring cultural traditions while celebrating contemporary expression.
"At a time when things feel a little dire in the arts community, it’s vital to remember that intertribal and intercommunity efforts are not only possible, but essential to our cultural survival," said Chris La Tray, Montana Poet Laureate (Little Shell Chippewa). "For Native people of Turtle Island, challenges like these are nothing new, and events like this remind us all of the strength and inspiration we draw from one another, and what becomes possible when we gather.”
A collaboration led by Anna East of Chickadee Community Services, Selya Avila of the Missoula Public Library and La Tray, the festival grew out of the landmark James Welch Native Lit Festival held in Missoula in 2022.
"That impactful gathering was embraced wholeheartedly by the community and sparked widespread interest in sustaining this cultural momentum," La Tray said. "While hopes remain high for a future return of the Welch Festival, IndigiPalooza MT carries that spirit forward, expanding its reach across artistic disciplines. Thanks to the generosity of more than 500 individual donors, this vision has become a truly community-powered event."
To view the full schedule and learn more about this celebration of Indigenous arts and storytelling, visit indigipaloozamt.com.
About Missoula Public Library
Missoula Public Library inspires individuals to Spark Curiosity. Make Connections. Thrive Together. As a dynamic community resource, the library offers a wealth of materials, programs and services designed to foster learning, creativity and personal growth. With a commitment to enriching the lives of Missoula County residents, the library creates spaces for discovery, connection and collaboration, helping everyone thrive in a welcoming and inclusive environment. For more information, visit https://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/ or follow us on social media.
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