22nd Annual Harvest Pow Wow-September 24 & 25, 2016

A wonderful celebratory mood enveloped the 22^nd Annual Midwest SOARRING Foundation Harvest Pow Wow the weekend of Sept. 24 & 25^th,  at the Naper Settlement.

Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico

During the Grand Entry processions proud Native American dancers from  many Midwestern  tribes filed into the arena, led by veterans carrying flags. Throughout the weekend these dancers entertained the public in their colorful regalia and dance styles.  Scout troops, families, couples and friends of all nationalities savored the entertaining, educational, and family friendly event.

Over thirty five vendor booths with Native themed arts & crafts filled the settlement grounds providing visitors ample shopping opportunities. Vendors sold jewelry and handcrafts from the Southwest and indigenous Mexico,  skillfully made wooden Native flutes,  indigenous herbal remedies,  and sweaters and bags from the high Andes mountains.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about several non-profit organizations with booths at the Pow Wow which included the CANA Foundation,  S.O.A.R. (Save Our American Raptors), and veteran’s services.  Many waited in lines to taste the popular Indian Tacos made with fry bread as well as grilled bison burgers, and sample an assortment of other tasty offerings.

Families and friends rested in the shade with lawn chairs while the arena was filled with the brilliantly dressed Native American dancers, moving to the beat of the

Petting Horse

drums.  Dance demonstrations highlighting the different Native American dance styles were held throughout the day. Other Harvest Pow Wow highlights included two dramatic drumming and dance performances by the Aztec Dancers. Special guest  Native American celebrity Moses Brings Plenty mingled with the crowd, signed autographs and was available for photo shoots and discussions about CANA with pow wow goers.

During the dinner break Moses spoke to the arena audience about the efforts of the CANA Foundation, a non-profit organization with “re-wilding” as it’s reason for being, where wild horse herds as family groups are relocated on to Native American reservations.

He also described the Native American protest against the Dakota Pipeline at the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. Later, a blanket dance and offering was collected as a donation to the Standing Rock Sioux. Over $1,000 was collected.  Midwest SOARRING also sold a number of NO DAPL t-shirts at the pow wow.

Popular activities at the children’s area included flintknapping (making an arrowhead), art projects (beading, sandpainting) and decorating a horse shoe created by a blacksmith. Many families enjoyed visiting and taking photos by the Midwest SOARRING tipi. An all time favorite was petting and observing the live mustang horse, painted in true Native style next to the CANA booth.

Later, in the arena hoop dancer Randy Preston thrilled the packed arena with his athletic and artistic moves. He created animal shapes from six or more large hoops dancing all the while. Audience favorites, talented musicians Al Jourdan sang and played guitar, and Al Jewer played Native Flute.

Hoop Dancer Randy Preston

The joyful pow wow atmosphere was contagious, as the number of dancers and crowd numbers continue to be attracted to the Native American cultural event.  Next year’s Harvest Pow Wow is scheduled for September 23 & 24th, 2017 and promises to bring more cultural education and entertainment to Naperville, Illinois.

America’s first people and Native American culture is alive and vibrant in the Midwest.

What a Saturday April 2nd, 2016 was! We experienced alternating sunshine (for 2 minutes) followed by blizzard, and blustery wind and cold. Yet, we had wall to wall people for our Grand Opening at the new Midwest SOARRING Native American Cultural Center, located at the historic Lockport Train Station in Lockport, IL.

Mayor Streit Ribbon Cutting

It was a fantastic day and included a ribbon cutting ceremony, Native American dancing, Native American drumming, a photography exhibit on Chief Iron Tail, music, vendors, and food and the good company of many friends, members, and supporters.

We want to thank everyone who stopped by and all who supported us with dancing (Francisco family, Katie and Abigeal); those that sang (Mark Jourdan and the Space Goats, Rick Redhorse and Singers; George and Berni Richter of S.O.A.R. (Save Our American Raptors) who brought our longtime friend Deshka, the American Bald Eagle.  Deshka holds a special place in our hearts as she has been an integral part of our events for the past fifteen years. We also thank Bill Buchholtz for playing Native flute, and Myles Goddard for sharing his teachings, as well as all of the SOARRING members who each helped in their special way.

We thank John’s Painting of Lockport, IL for the beautiful paint job he did on the interior of the cultural center, Kevin Ullrich for his handcrafted wooden shelves, Frank Jackowiak for the donation of frames and printing of photographs for the Iron Tail photo exhibit, Doug and Judy Meier for the use of the stunning painting and for all of your hard work, to all the vendors who showed up and lasted as long as they could through the extreme weather conditions and terrific wind, and to Janet Smith-Peterson and the Cantigny Museum for their donation of display cases.

Native American Drummer

We also thank all of those who helped clean and set up the rooms and displays. Much of this occurred two weeks before the opening. Everyone worked hard to make our Grand Opening a great success.

A thank you also to all of our friends, family, and supporters that always show up to support us in all we do.

And a special thank you to Sandy Vasko of the Will County Historical Society for recommending Midwest SOARRING Foundation to Mayor Streit and the City of Lockport, which has given us an opportunity to be a part of their welcoming community.

In Honor of Our Ancestors,

The Midwest SOARRING Foundation Board

Ron Kanutski, Cultural Teacher and Musician from Thunder Bay, Ontario led a traditional drum circle to a packed audience at the Midwest SOARRING Foundation Native American Cultural Center on November 15, 2014. Ron is tribal member of the Lake Helen Reserve/Red Rock Band (Obijiwanong) and continues to be a crowd favorite In Chicago. He was warmly greeted by all in attendance as he shared stories and songs from his Ojibway (Anishinaabe) heritage.

Pilcher Nature Center in
Joliet, IL

The year 2014 closed with a heart- warming Midwest SOARRING Foundation holiday party at the Pilcher ParkNature Center in Joliet, IL. The feast table was laden with a variety of holiday fare, and the room was filled with celebrants eager to enjoy the festivities. The nature center offers a warm atmosphere for the party and affords all the opportunity to participate in a candlelit walk and prayer circle. After the meal, one by one each individual placed their handmade ornaments on the SOARRING Spirit Tree, sharing the meaning of their craft with the audience.

Planning begins anew for the 2015 Harvest Pow Wow to be held the last weekend of September at the Naper Settlement, in Naperville. Volunteer coordinators are needed to oversee specific areas of the Pow Wow which include admissions, the raffle table, fundraising, cultural demonstrations, hospitality, groups, volunteer coordinator, camping, kids crafts, the Bison table, SOARRING table, and security. All interested are invited to attend the Feb. 22nd Pow Wow planning meeting from 2:30 to 4:30. Light refreshments will be served.

Midwest SOARRING Pow Wow photography is currently on display at the Westmont Public Library for the month of February. If you are in the area, make sure to check it out.

Please check our calendar page for additional events.