THE 2008 CARNIVAL THEME: “INDIGENOUS”
In 1636, after being banished from the Puritan colony of Massachusetts, Roger Williams traveled south, crossing the Seekonk River in search of a refuge for persecuted religious dissenters. According to the legend, he eventually landed on a large slate rock in present day Providence where he was greeted by local Narragansetts, one of whom uttered the historic greeting: “What Cheer, netop.”
Today, native Rhode Islanders take pride in recounting this tale, touting Rhode Island history’s as a haven for artists, an incubator for environmental action, and quite literally a sanctuary for refugees fleeing persecution, poverty and violence. But in the retelling, we often forget to acknowledge that this land was once—and still is—the home to hundreds of Native Americans.
Sound Session dedicates the 2009 Carnival Parade in honor the Native American Tribal Nations of New England. The tradition of Carnival brings opposing elements from diverse communities together in public celebration and allows participants to connect on a local, regional, and international level. Since 2004, Sound Session has worked to achieve these goals, establishing itself as a city-wide event that attracts an audience of over 50,000 people, as well as an extraordinary lineup of professional artists and musicians whose cultural background reflect Providence’s diversity.
Download Carnival Parade Backgrounder (PDF 382KB)
Download Carnival Parade Application and Guidelines (PDF 105kb)