On Friday, August 14, 2026, the IndigenousWays Festival returns to the Santa Fe Railyard Water Tower with a free evening of live music led by Keith Secola, Levi Platero, and Sage Bond.
Presented by IndigenousWays and Lensic360, the event brings together artists whose work spans decades of Indigenous music, from songs like “NDN Kars” to newer voices shaping current sound.
It takes place outdoors at the Railyard Water Tower, where the public gathers for an evening program of multiple performances, centered on cultural exchange, shared experience, and the idea that music can carry knowledge across generations.
Event Details at a Glance
- Event: IndigenousWays Festival 2026
- Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
- Time: 6–10 p.m.
- Location: Santa Fe Railyard Water Tower
- Admission: Free and open to the public
- Accessibility: ASL interpretation and full wheelchair access
What is the IndigenousWays Festival?
The IndigenousWays Festival is a free public gathering in Santa Fe focused on Indigenous music, arts, and community connection.
Founded in 2007, IndigenousWays is a Native-led nonprofit based in O’ga P’ogeh Owingeh (Santa Fe). Its work spans film, music, media arts, and education, with programming shaped around cultural exchange, community outreach, and supporting Indigenous artists at every stage of their careers.
The festival brings that work into a shared public setting for one evening. Elders, youth, and families gather alongside visitors, with performances that move between contemporary sound and long-held knowledge. The event reflects a broader approach grounded in connection, reciprocity, and the understanding that music and storytelling carry culture forward across generations.
IndigenousWays Festival 2026: Event Details
The August 14 program at the Railyard Water Tower is built around a three-artist lineup, with Keith Secola, Levi Platero, and Sage Bond performing across a single evening schedule.
When and where is the IndigenousWays Festival 2026?
The IndigenousWays Festival takes place on Friday, August 14, 2026 from 6-10 p.m., as an evening event at the Santa Fe Railyard Water Tower in the Railyard District.
The outdoor venue allows for an open, walkable setting where attendees can move through the space as performances continue throughout the night. A full performance schedule is typically released closer to the event date.
Who is performing at IndigenousWays Festival 2026?
The 2026 lineup spans rock, blues, and contemporary Indigenous music, with artists whose work has circulated across tribal radio, touring stages, and community venues.
Keith Secola
Secola’s song “NDN Kars” has held a long-standing place on tribal radio since the early 1990s and is often considered a contemporary Native anthem. An Anishinaabe musician with decades of touring and recording behind him, his work moves between rock, folk, and storytelling. His performances have ranged from grassroots venues to stages like the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and international festivals.
Levi Platero
A Diné guitarist from the Navajo Nation, Platero’s playing draws from Texas blues, classic rock, and modern guitar influences. After more than a decade performing with his family band, he moved into solo work, earning a Native American Music Award for Best Blues. His live sets shift between fast, technical passages and slower, more expressive sections.
Sage Bond
Bond’s vocals move between blues, rock, and heavy metal, with a performance style that can turn from restrained to forceful within a single set. Her songwriting addresses mental health, personal history, and resilience, and she has contributed to youth outreach efforts across the Navajo Nation.
How does the festival connect to America250?
The 2026 IndigenousWays Festival is part of the NEA America250, a nationwide initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
IndigenousWays enters that moment on its own terms. The festival presents Indigenous artists and voices as part of the story of this land, not separate from it. The programming makes clear that Indigenous presence did not begin with the United States and does not end with it.
Live performance sits at the center of that approach. The artists on stage are not framed as historical reference points, but as working musicians whose music speaks to the present.
What does IndigenousWays do beyond the festival?
IndigenousWays operates a range of year-round programs supporting Indigenous artists and public programming in Santa Fe.
These include:
IndigenousWays Film Festival
The IndigenousWays Film Festival is a multi-day program featuring films by Indigenous filmmakers, with scheduled screenings, director Q&As, and panel discussions. The event brings together filmmakers and audiences in a theater setting, with programming that spans short films, documentaries, and narrative work.
IndigenousWays Red Road Pow Wow
The IndigenousWays Red Road Pow Wow takes place at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds as a substance-free gathering centered on dance, drum, and shared presence. The day moves through multiple dance categories, with drum groups performing throughout and vendors set up across the grounds, creating a space shaped by participation, respect, and continuity.
Monthly Wisdom Circles
Monthly IndigenousWays Wisdom Circles are recurring gatherings that bring people together for conversation and knowledge-sharing, often led by speakers, artists, or elders. These sessions focus on lived experience, storytelling, and discussion in a smaller, more conversational setting than the festival.
How to support IndigenousWays and keep the festival free
IndigenousWays operates as a nonprofit organization and relies on community support to keep its programs free and accessible.
Support can take several forms. Sponsorship contributions help fund artist fees, production costs, and accessibility services such as ASL interpretation. Donations also support year-round programming, including youth mentorship, media arts training, and cultural events beyond the festival itself.
Community involvement also plays a role. Attending events, sharing information, and participating in programs all help sustain IndigenousWays’ work in Santa Fe.
IndigenousWays Festival at the Santa Fe Railyard Water Tower on August 14
On August 14, the Santa Fe Railyard Water Tower holds a single evening of live music that moves from Keith Secola’s long-recognized songs into Levi Platero’s guitar-driven sets and Sage Bond’s vocals carrying across the space.
This is the work IndigenousWays has built over time: putting artists on stage, keeping the event free, and making sure the music is heard in a shared, public setting.
To see the full lineup, follow updates, or support future programs, visit IndigenousWays.org.
Frequently Asked Questions About IndigenousWays Festival 2026
What is the IndigenousWays Festival in Santa Fe?
The IndigenousWays Festival is a free public event in Santa Fe that features live Indigenous music, performances, and community gathering at the Railyard Water Tower.
The festival is organized by IndigenousWays, a Native-led nonprofit founded in 2007. It brings together artists from across Turtle Island (North America) to present contemporary Indigenous music alongside cultural expression rooted in language, identity, and lived experience. The event is designed as an open gathering space where multiple generations participate, including elders, youth, and families.
Unlike ticketed concerts, the format allows attendees to move freely through the space, engaging with performances at their own pace. The event also prioritizes access, with ASL interpretation and wheelchair accessibility provided. As part of a broader set of year-round programs, the festival reflects IndigenousWays’ focus on supporting artists and creating public-facing cultural experiences in Santa Fe.
When and where is the IndigenousWays Festival 2026?
The IndigenousWays Festival will take place on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Santa Fe Railyard Water Tower in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The event is scheduled as an evening program, with live performances continuing throughout the night. While exact set times are typically released closer to the event date, attendees can expect a continuous lineup of music in an outdoor setting.
The Railyard Water Tower is located in Santa Fe’s Railyard District, a central area known for public events, galleries, and open gathering spaces. Its layout allows for large crowds while maintaining accessibility and walkability. Visitors can arrive at any time during the event and move between performance areas.
The festival’s open format supports a steady flow of attendees throughout the evening rather than a fixed start-and-end audience structure.
Is the IndigenousWays Festival free to attend?
Yes, the IndigenousWays Festival is free and open to the public, with no tickets or reservations required.
The event is intentionally structured to remove financial barriers and ensure broad access to Indigenous arts programming. Attendees can enter the Railyard space at no cost and stay for as long as they choose during the evening.
Funding for the festival comes from a combination of grants, donations, and community support. These contributions help cover artist fees, production costs, and accessibility services, including ASL interpretation and wheelchair access.
Because there is no ticketing system, early arrival is not required, though attendance may increase as the evening progresses. The open format allows for flexibility, making it possible for attendees to visit briefly or remain for the full program.
This approach reflects IndigenousWays’ broader commitment to keeping all of its public programs free and accessible year-round. BYOC, Bring Your Own Chair!
Who is performing at the IndigenousWays Festival 2026?
The 2026 festival features a lineup of Indigenous musicians, including Keith Secola, Levi Platero, and Sage Bond.
Keith Secola is widely recognized for the song “NDN Kars,” which has circulated across powwow and radio audiences for decades. Levi Platero, a Diné guitarist, is known for high-energy performances rooted in blues and rock traditions. Sage Bond brings a vocal performance style that moves between intimate and expansive, drawing from personal and cultural themes.
The lineup reflects a mix of established and emerging artists working across genres. Each performer contributes a distinct approach to Indigenous music while maintaining a connection to community and identity.
Additional artists or schedule updates may be announced closer to the event date, depending on programming changes.
What is America250 and how is IndigenousWays involved?
America250 is a nationwide initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the IndigenousWays Festival is part of the NEA America250 programming.
The initiative supports cultural events across the country that reflect different perspectives on American history and identity. IndigenousWays participates by presenting Indigenous artists and narratives within that national framework.
At the 2026 festival, this connection emphasizes that Indigenous presence predates the United States and continues into the present. Programming focuses on contemporary music while acknowledging long-standing cultural continuity.
By participating in America250, IndigenousWays contributes a perspective that expands how national milestones are interpreted. The festival does not function as a historical exhibit but as a living presentation of Indigenous creativity and expression in the present day.
This article was posted by Alba Burch
