Who we are
We are Native artists, organizers, culture bearers, and community members building something bold in Portland.
PDX N8V FST is a growing celebration of Indigenous creativity that is rooted in music, dance, and art, and guided by Native values. We believe Indigenous artists belong at the center of Portland’s vibrant festival scene, not just as guests on someone else’s stage, but as the heart of something new.
This movement began with Advancing Indigenous Performance (AIP), a program of Western Arts Alliance (WAA), based here in Portland. Since 2018, AIP has supported over 60 Native artists directly and connected more than 150 Indigenous performers with audiences and touring opportunities across Turtle Island. That work helped spark the vision for PDX N8V FST — a Native-led festival rooted in community, culture, and connection.
With support from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, WAA is launching a 2025 pilot series to build momentum for a new Native-led music and arts festival rooted in Portland.
PDX N8V FST is more than a series of events. It’s a statement of presence. It’s a shift in who gets seen and heard. And it’s just the beginning.
OUR PARTNERS
The 2025 Series features performances hosted by four local presenting partners who already champion Indigenous artists in their seasons:
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Clark College Foundation
Clark College Foundation (CCF) is an independent, self-governed nonprofit that partners with Clark College to improve higher education access, student success, and community engagement.
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Portland Institute for Contemporary Art
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art acknowledges and advances new developments in contemporary art while fostering the creative explorations of artists and audiences.
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The Reser (Patricia Reser Center)
The mission of Patricia Reser Center for the Arts is to foster joy, imagination, connection, and understanding in a diverse community by presenting artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for all.
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Boom Arts
Imagining new social and political possibilities through performance. Boom Arts is a boutique performing arts presenter and producer based in Portland, Oregon.