CIRCLES festival creates a safe space for Indigenous expression

by Bridget Stringer-Holden on August 11th, 2023 at 3:27 PM

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CIRCLES—the biggest Indigenous music festival across Turtle Island—has announced its return to Sunset Beach Park on August 26.

Produced by Land Back Records and Level Up, CIRCLES was created as a platform to amplify the voices of Indigenous youth and highlight the local Indigenous community.

“For too long, Indigenous creativity has lacked safe spaces for expression,” said Dakota Bear, founder of Land Back Records and Decolonial Clothing, in a press release. “CIRCLES is about reclaiming our narratives, empowering our youth, and fostering healing within our community.”

The previous festival had over four thousand attendees, and this year he hopes that even more people will show up to embrace the power of music as a universal language. “Music is a vehicle to drive our messages and amplify our voices,” he added. “As we draw strength from our ancestors, we illuminate our truths and harness our platforms to fight for justice."

Featured in the 2023 lineup are a variety of hip hop artists, musicians, dancers, speakers, and visual artists. This includes MTV Video Music Award-winning hip-hop artist Drezus, JUNO Award winner Fawn Wood, and traditional hoop dancer Notorious Cree—who many may recognize from social media.

Interspersed with the performances are youth workshops, healing circles, a pop-up market, and a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG+) fashion show tribute by Decolonial Clothing and Native by Nature. Funds will also be raised for the #searchthelandfill movement, in honour of the MMIWG+.