July 12, 2013

First SOARRING Indian Arts & Craft Market

Midwest SOARRING Foundation sponsored its first Indian Arts and Craft Market on the third weekend in June, on their Native American Cultural Center grounds.

Midwest SOARRING Foundation Indian Arts & Crafts vendor tents

The public had an opportunity to visit with a variety of vendors and purchase beautiful and handmade Indian and natural arts and craft items they sold.

These included Ruthann’s Southwest Treasures (Ruthann & Darrel Motley) selling hand signed silver and turquoise jewelry from Native artists in the Southwest; Sweetgrass (Fred and Annie Harris) selling beadwork, ledger art, birch bark baskets; Spiritsong (Fran Brousil) who sells hand beaded regalia, shawls, sweetgrass and sage among other various items; Lorraine Aebi who sells soy candles and walking sticks, and Chiro One that keeps your spine in tune.

Also participating was Butter Duck Farms (Kim Biske) located in Bolingbrook, IL who formulates handmade natural and organic skin care products. Their “from scratch” product line includes soap, body butters, salves, lotions, bug spray, baby products, and lice treatment –good for people and good for the earth. And, returning was Otomi Moon (Lolly Aguilar) who displayed captivating necklaces and earrings made from colorful hand grown Indian corn. Her hand beaded bracelets were a favorite of many shoppers.

Art Shegonee, well known Native American dancer and MC at Indian Summer and other events, provided the exhibition dancing throughout both days of the fair.

If you missed this first fair Midwest SOARRING Foundation will sponsor it’s next Indian Arts and Craft Market the first weekend in October at Lords Park in Elgin, IL in conjunction with the Annual Bison Blessing with the Elgin Museum.

July 5, 2013

FRACKING IN ILLINOIS

Midwest SOARRING Foundation co-sponsored a presentation June 8, 2013 with the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter on Fracking in Illinois. The lecture helped raise awareness among a diverse group of Illinois residents about the environmental costs of fracking.

Sandstone cliff walls of Starved Rock State Park, Utica, IL

Many were unaware that there are two types of mining processes that can occur with fracking. One process extracts sand from the earth which is then sent to fracking sites throughout the world. This process is occurring in Illinois just outside of Starved Rock State Park near Ottawa, Illinois. The actual frack mining involves mixing sand, water, and chemicals at high pressure into a wellbore to create fractures. Drilling a well a mile deep with numerous veins is common to extract gas and petroleum.

The audience was astonished to learn that two to 7 million gallons of fresh water per vein are required, and one frac well alone can have seven or eight veins. It was easy to understand that a tremendous amount of precious, fresh water is wasted in the process, not to mention the toxic slurry of chemicals that is left above ground, and earthquakes that can result from the destabilization of the ground due to the deep drilling.

Joseph Standing Bear Schranz believes it is all of our duty to safeguard the environment for the next seven generations. He states, “We are all accountable to the future.”

June 2013 Bison Photo Shoot & Flea Market

The first Saturday in June afforded many Illinois residents fresh country air at the Bison Photo Shoot and Flea Market in LeRoy, Illinois.

Historic tractors on display

The relaxing event was held on the grounds of the Grand Village of the Kickapoo. Co-sponsored by the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park and Midwest SOARRING Foundation, the event sought to raise funds to bring back the Kickapoo Pow Wow in 2014. Visitors had the opportunity to view an exhibit of over thirty vintage tractors on display, and browse a wide array of craft and flea market vendors.

Food was also available as many visitors choose to picnic and enjoy the peaceful scenery. The event was successful, raising about half of the funds needed to make the Pow Wow a go!

Illinois Unique Bison Photo Op

The highlight of the day was a hay rack wagon ride into the hilly bison pasture. Many with cameras in hand, expectantly watched for any signs of the bison as the tractor pulled wagon crossed a small ravine, and entered a wooded field with tall grass.

Lounging in the distance was the herd of fifteen bison, which included two calves and a new born calf, just borne the day before.

Hayrack wagon ride for bison photo shoot

On some of the rides the curious bison came close to the hay wagon, other times they grazed and rested at a distance of 100 to 150 feet. Riders snapped photos excitedly at the herd of bison who watched the visitors, and herded their young thru the brush.

Everyone was in awe at the magnificent animals, and hoped their photos would capture the strength and wild nature of America’s great four legged, so vital to Native people for thousands of years. Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, Founder/President of Midwest SOARRING Foundation said he was given a vision to create a herd of bison as a spirit herd, as a way of honoring all that the bison had done for native people. Tours of the bison pasture continued for the rest of the day and the sponsors were pleased with the turn out for the event.

May 8, 2013

Phase I – SOARRING Native American Village

On Saturday, May 4, Midwest SOARRING Foundation organized another work day on the grounds of the Native American Center. More work days are scheduled, as the organization prepares for the construction of the Native American longhouse. On April 27, 2013 a combined force of forty-three volunteers- – including Comcast employees and Midwest SOARRING Foundation members– finished phase I of the grounds preparation for the Native American village concept.

Volunteer Work day at MSF Culutural Center

Volunteer work day for Native American village grounds clean up.

Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, Founder and President of Midwest SOARRING Foundation, was elated with the success and generosity of Comcast. In addition to their time and committed work effort for Comcast Cares Day, Comcast donated volunteer t-shirts, breakfast, lunch, juice, water, soft drinks, trash bags, work gloves, dirt and grass seed.

The day began with a traditional Native American blessing for our Mother Earth and for all who attended. The volunteer efforts included

moving of a very large hardwood mulch pile to the village area,
transporting cinder blocks and other materials away from the work area,
filling in several large holes from trees that had fallen,
and cleanup of the parking area, five acres of land, and gardens surrounding the cultural center.

Midwest SOARRING Foundation was honored to have Sharisse Sheridan of Comcast light the village fire for the day. The foundation was also privileged to host a raffle for all of the volunteers who participated. Schranz said,

“I am happy that we have formed this relationship between Comcast and Midwest SOARRING Foundation in our efforts to promote awareness of Native American culture. We all need to work together to protect and conserve our environment, for now and for future generations.”

On Saturday, May 4, MSF had another work day on the grounds of our Native American Center. More work days are scheduled, as we prepare for the construction of our longhouse.

Future Work Days

Additional MAY work days are as follows:

Sat. May 11th, 10am-2pm
Thurs. May 16th, 10am-2pm
Sat. May 18th, 10am-2pm
Thurs. May 23 10am-2pm

For further information call (773) 585-8613.

April 12, 2013

SOARRING Native American Village Progress

Brothers Keeper Club Contribution

Surveying the progress of the recently cleared grounds for the MSF Native American village, Joseph Standing Bear Schranz expressed his deep appreciation to Ray Piagentini and the Brothers Keeper Club of the Barrington Community High School.

Old cabin debris on MSF Cultural Center grounds

Last year the club began the first efforts to dismantle the old cabin which once stood on the grounds where the Native American village will be built. The group also returned several times to split logs from the trees that had fallen on the cabin.

Schranz is also proud of 25 sturdy benches built by a SOARRING member with the redwood planks from the dismantled cabin. These moveable recycled benches will be used for school groups and visitors who gather around the fire pit in the village.

Eagle Scout Project

Midwest SOARRING Foundation is also indebted to Chris Zurowski, his family, Boy Scout Troop 216, and other volunteers for their dedicated hard work to clear the caved in cabin, wood shed, and considerable debris last fall. Over a year ago Chris had inquired about the possibility of an Eagle Scout project at the MSF Cultural Center. He had met with Joseph Standing Bear Schranz to survey the land and determine a plan. “His sustained interest in the project resulted in very meaningful, long term results,” said Joseph Standing Bear Schranz.

Chris and his family raised $1,700 for hardwood mulch which was spread over the grounds in a layer of 4” deep. Chris also donated landscaping stones from his yard for the fire pit circle. In the foundations’ estimation Chris exceeded his own

Joseph Standing Bear Schranz surveying Native American village grounds.

expectations, as well as the organizations. In appreciation for his efforts, and the combined work of Troop 216, Midwest SOARRING Foundation designed a plaque which was awarded to this future Eagle Scout on March 23, 2013. Chris was also given the honor of starting the first fire in the opening of the fire pit ceremony at the Midwest SOARRING Cultural Center. His Eagle Scout badge will be awarded in the near future.

Comcast Employee Involvement on Volunteer Work Day – April 27, 2013

A volunteer work day has been scheduled for April 27, 2013 to complete phase 1 of the grounds improvement. Founder/director Joseph Standing Bear Schranz is excited about the participation of 50 Comcast employees who will finish preparing the mulch area of the Native village charrette. He encourages all who plan to volunteer to bring Wheel barrows, shovels, and rakes as they are needed to spread the remaining mulch, pick up debris, and expand the outdoor patio near the cook hut. Comcast has graciously offered to provide a lunch and t-shirt to anyone else who volunteers by April 21, 2013. Call Janet at 708-257-4300 to reserve your spot.

Phase II Plans

Illustration by Sue Van Horn

Under consideration are plans regarding the size and materials that will be used to erect the Long House in May. The structure, along with the tipi and authentic Woodland Indian hunting lodge will become a destination site for school groups, scouting troops, and the public interested in learning about Native American culture. There is much excitement and interest by all involved. Stay tuned for further progress reports.

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