FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 30, 2025  

Press contact:  

Monice Wong, mwong@portlandalliance.com 

Frybread Fest Returns by High Demand to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month — November 8th 

Second year of the free Downtown event filled with frybread, music, and cultural celebration

PORTLAND, OR — Following a packed inaugural event last year, the one-of-a-kind Frybread Fest returns to Director Park in Downtown Portland on Saturday November 8th. Hosted by Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, in partnership with the Portland Indigenous Marketplace, the event will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with indigenous food, music, and culture. 

Why It Matters 

Frybread Fest was created to celebrate and uplift Indigenous voices, creativity, and community. It’s a day to gather, eat, laugh, and honor the brilliance and resilience of our Indigenous community in the heart of downtown Portland during Native American Heritage Month. Members of indigenous communities across the region are expected to attend. 

What is Frybread? When indigenous communities were forced onto barren reservation lands, they were deprived of access to varied, healthy ingredients. Using just flour, lard, and water, they created something sustaining and delicious. Frybread now represents the ingenuity, resilience, and unity of indigenous people. Last year, lines for frybread stretched past Director Park into the surrounding streets. 

Event Highlights: 

All Day | Indigenous Marketplace & Food Vendors 

Enjoy fresh frybread from four vendors, Native coffee, and lemonade from Warm Springs all day long! Explore the Portland Indigenous Marketplace, featuring 20 Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs offering beadwork, regalia, art, jewelry, and more — celebrating creativity, culture, and community. 

All Day | Community Outreach & Resources 

Community partners will have booths onsite to share information, resources, and interactive activities. Tables will include: 

11:10 AM – 12:10 PM | Ed Edmo Storytelling & Meet-and-Greet 

Listen to local legend and Shoshone-Bannock leader Ed Edmo share his captivating poetry and stories of the Pacific Northwest. Edmo is one of the faces of the A Place Called Home mural at the PDX Airport. Afterwards, say hello and have your book of his poetry personally signed by him! 

12:20 PM – 1:20 PM | Wen’ípt (Songs) – Indigenous Contemporary Jazz Combo 

Wen’ípt is an Indigenous-led contemporary jazz group that celebrates Native artistry through music and storytelling, honoring the long tradition of Indigenous musicians in jazz. 

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Cultural Demos with Whitney Jackson  

Traveling from the Warm Springs Reservation, Whitney Jackson (Wílaps Ayat / Sturgeon Woman) will share her deep knowledge of traditional lifeways along the Columbia River — from fishing for salmon and sturgeon to preserving traditional foods. She’ll show her award-winning wind-dried salmon and eel and share about her work teaching and revitalizing the Ichishkíin language at the Warm Springs Language School. 

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Cultural Demos with Becca Lynn 

Becca Lynn, granddaughter of the founder of the Miss Indian Northwest Pageant and current Executive Director of the program, is a dedicated community leader and talented regalia artist. She’ll share about her work with Miss Indian Northwest and showcase her beautiful beadwork and regalia. 

1:20 PM | Kimberly Smart – MMIW Search and Hope Alliance 

Kimberly Smart, founder of the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Search and Hope Alliance and leader of national advocacy efforts, will share about awareness, action, and healing for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement, honoring families and strengthening community action. 

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Turquoise Pride – Local Native Drum Group 

Turquoise Pride will bring the heartbeat of powwows to downtown Portland. This local Native drum group performs at community powwows and cultural gatherings, sharing powerful songs at the heart of Indigenous tradition. 

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Storytelling with Karen Kitchen