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March 28, 2017

Fall 2016 SOARRING News

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

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

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.

May 1, 2016

Thanks For Supporting Our Grand Opening

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

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

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

February 11, 2015

SOARRING 2014 – 2015 Winter Events

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

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.

November 8, 2014

20th Annual Harvest Pow Wow & 2014 Fall Events

Midwest SOARRING 20th Annual Harvest Pow Wow

Celebration of Diversity

Attendees at the 20th Annual Harvest Pow Wow experienced a celebration of diversity the weekend of September 20-21, 2014. Despite the intermittent rain, the festive and colorful event drew over forty-five thousand visitors to the Naper Settlement in Naperville, Illinois. In the main arena, Native American drumming and singing resounded, while Native American dancers – some as far away as northern Wisconsin-danced to the drumbeat throughout the weekend.

Beading of the Woodland Tradition

Beading of the Woodland Tradition

Everyone had the opportunity to order Indian Tacos complete with Fry Bread, or sample other Native foods. A children’s booth with arts and crafts and an honoring of military veterans was included at the pow wow.

A crowd pleasing favorite of the weekend is the opportunity for visitors to shop over thirty-five    vendor booths. The vendors feature a variety of Native American arts and crafts, including one of a kind rings, earrings, and necklaces; hand embroidered clothing with Native designs, colorful sweaters and jackets from the Andes mountains of South America, herbal soaps and body lotions,  artisan made Native flutes and a wide selection of Native music CD’s,  bright beaded earrings and hair ornaments, and hides.

A highlight on Saturday was the stirring performance by Laura Grizzlypaws, the only female Grizzly Bear dancer in North America. Laura resides in British Columbia, Canada, within her tribal community. She spoke to the audience first in her native tongue, and then translated in English, describing the importance of the Grizzly Bear as a teacher to mankind, and the necessity to protect its habitat.

LauraGrizzlypaws_8598

Laura Gizzlypaws

This was followed by a haunting song in her native language. While the drum group played, Laura donned a large Grizzly Bear hide and moved into the arena, becoming one with the Grizzly Bear. Everyone was spellbound by his dance movements which resembled a large bear in the wild. For the Mid-westerners watching, her performance was breathtaking. Laura graciously met with the public later for photo opportunities.

At the dinner break, Hugo Guterriez and Ancestral Roots from Chicago performed authentic Andean music. The group entertained the audience with a wide range and size of Andean flutes.  Their music added to the diversity and festivity of the pow wow as several members from the crowd danced.  This was followed by Mark Jourdan, another favorite Chicago Native Musician, who played his guitar and serenaded the crowd with in song.

Plans are already underway for next year’s Harvest Pow Wow to be held September 26-27, 2015.

Westchester Library Pow Wow Photography Exhibit

During the months of August and September, the Westchester Public Library featured an exhibit of twenty Pow Wow photographs, taken at previous Midwest SOARRING Pow Wows by Colordance Design. The exhibit generated many positive comments and interest by library patrons. A second exhibit is planned for the Westmont Public Library in February, 2015.

Ojibwey Stories, Songs, and Drum Circle with Ron Kanutski

On November 15, 2014 at 2pm, Midwest SOARRING will feature an afternoon of Ojibwey stories,

Ron Kanutski, Little Medicine Wheel Cloud, Bear Clan

Ron Kanutski, Little Medicine Cloud, Bear Clan

songs, and drum circle with Ron Kanutski, Little Medicine Wheel Cloud, Bear Clan, from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Ron actively works in the mental health and addictions field as a consultant, group facilitator, counselor, college professor, trainer, healer, and cultural teacher. He has spent time with the Elders of the Woodland tradition, and enjoys sharing those teachings to people of all cultures. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience Ron’s humor, inspiring stories, and Ojibwey song. Discounted advance tickets are available online at http://www.midwestsoarring.org/calendar.html At the door ticket price are $25 per person.

Midwest SOARRING Annual Members Meeting

The Annual Members meeting will be held Saturday, November 22nd at 4pm at the Midwest SOARRING Foundation Cultural Center, 1 Hickory Lane, Westchester, IL.  This meeting is held to elect board members for the coming year, review the struggles, successes, and celebrations of our organization from October 2013 to October 2014, and discuss future aspirations. Following the meeting, a pot luck dinner will take place. Enjoy fellowship with other members as we catch up on all that has been happening this far. Please RSVP to 708.257.4300 by November 20, 2014. For more information visit http://www.midwestsoarring.org/calendar.html

Volunteer Appreciation & Members Holiday Party

On Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 5pm to 9:30pm, Midwest SOARRING will hold the annual party for volunteers and members at the Pilcher Nature Center,2301 Highland Park Dr., Joliet, IL 60432. This gathering is a celebration of the community we build by the work we do. Please bring a dish/desert to share. Meat, mashed potatoes,rolls, and beverages provided. Candlelight Walk at 5pm. Dinner and fellowship following the walk.

Everyone is asked to bring a gift/ item to share with those in need on local reservations, as well as a handmade ornament to place on the Spirit Tree.  For more information visit  http://www.midwestsoarring.org/calendar.html. This event is open and free to all 2014 MSF SOARRING volunteers and current members. Memberships can be renewed at the event or online at a nominal fee of $8 per person. Please RSVP to 708.257.4300.

We look forward to seeing you at these and future events.

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Aanii Boozhoo

Midwest SOARRING Foundation invites all people to gather into an ever-increasing wider circle that preserves Mother Earth, and the rich traditions of the ancestors. We invite you to learn about the many intertribal Native American lifeways that provide wisdom and direction in our contemporary world. In keeping with this path, Midwest SOARRING Foundation works to maintain the traditions of the ancestors and to conserve and restore to health the natural environment.

We invite you to join our circle. Dance at our pow wows. Attend our cultural events and support the bison herd-our nation's greatest herbivore and symbol of hope and survival for all people. As you listen, you will learn. Together we become the Spirit of the ancestors.

Joseph Standing Bear Schranz


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