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November 4, 2015

2015 SOARRING Fall News

21st Annual Midwest SOARRING Harvest Pow Wow

The western suburbs of Chicago featured another successful SOARRING Harvest Pow Wow on September 26 & 27, 2015, organized by Midwest SOARRING Foundation. Thousands of people gathered from the tri-state area and beyond to learn about Native American culture, enjoy Native American dancing and drumming. The spectacular autumn weather encouraged visitors to shop at the many vendor tents, sample the food, and fill the arena seats the entire weekend. The Harvest Pow Wow is Midwest SOARRING Foundation’s main fundraising event. The organization is respected for the community building, good will, and outreach it performs with all people.

Flag Bearers

Flag Bearers

Highlights of the 21st Annual Harvest Pow Wow included drumming and singing by the host drum Medicine Bear, Milwaukee Bucks and Little Thunder. Emcee Mark Denning sought to educate everyone about Native American culture by explaining each dance to the attentive audience.

Special VIP guest Moses Brings Plenty entertained the crowd with traditional Native American stories and song. Moses is also known for his star roles in many movies including The Cherokee Word for Water, and Cowboys and Aliens. He joined a slate of talented performers including flutist Al Jewer, soulful Native American musician and singer Mark Jourdan, Aztec dancers Ocelotl-Cihuacoatl, and Ronnie Preston, well known hoop dancer, San Carlos Apache.

Midwest SOARRING was delighted to show case head male dancer, Evan Logan, from the Ho-Chunk tribe in Wisconsin, as well as head lady dancer Melanie Minafor, from the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. Evan is a fancy feather dancer, while Melanie is well known for her jingle dancing.

Head Male Dancer  Evan Logan

Head Male Dancer
Evan Logan

SOAR, Save Our American Raptors, delighted many during the weekend with the close up demonstrations and educational information about birds of prey they brought to the event. The children’s tent was packed with youngsters eager to complete crafts and try their hand at flintknapping.

Of special note was the military memorial for a long time member veteran Stan HoronzyUSM. He received full military honors at the Harvest Pow Wow including a 21 gun honoring. Pepsi was the new sponsor for this year’s Harvest Pow Wow. They provided a green recycling area filled with free drinks and snacks for all. 95.5 The River radio station promoted the pow wow extensively. Midwest SOARRING appreciated both sponsors for their enthusiasm and support of this popular family friendly event.

Elgin Bison Blessing

On October 17, 2015 Joseph Standing Bear performed the Bison Blessing at Lord’s Park in Elgin, IL, as he has done for many years in October. The event was done in conjunction with the Elgin Museum. It was a beautiful fall day for the ceremony. The blessing was well received and large crowd in attendance appreciated the words. The bison have always been valued throughout Native America for everything they provided the people.

Midwest SOARRING Foundation Cultural Center Move

Midwest SOARRING Foundation volunteers were busy over the summer packing and moving to their new location at a historic train station in Lockport, IL. President Joseph Standing Bear says

“We are in the process of rug cleaning and painting ceilings and walls. Hopefully we will open in the very new future. There will be a grand opening celebration and all will be invited.”

The new address is 133 W. 13th Street. SOARRING members are looking forward to participating in many community events in Lockport, IL.

I&M Canal Museum Pioneer Event

On October 30, 2015 Midwest SOARRING participated in the annual I& M Pioneer event with Native heritage activities that included story telling and fire starting. SOARRING looks forward to participating next year and hopes the event will continue to grow.

Pow Wow Photographs Displayed at Thomas Ford Memorial Library, Western Springs, IL.

Midwest SOARRING’s Pow Wow photography exhibit continues to be popular with Chicago area libraries. In celebration of Native American month, during November, a selection of prints and selected books will be on display in the children’s section of the public library in Western Springs.

December 5, 2015 Members Meeting & Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Holiday Party

The annual Midwest SOARRING members meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Holiday Party will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet, IL. The members meeting will begin promptly at 5pm followed by the holiday party from 6pm to 10pm. Download flyer and read more details about the event.

 

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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