February 28, 2016

2016 SOARRING Winter News

Move To Lockport’s Historic Train Station on I & M Corridor

Midwest SOARRING is in the process of moving to their new Native American Cultural Center at the historic train station in Lockport, IL. The new Cultural Center address is 133 W. 13th St next to the I & M Heritage Canal.

Lockport’s Historic Train Station

The I & M Canal trail runs 77 miles between Chinatown in Chicago to Ottawa, IL. The trail includes the Heritage Village in Lockport, IL. Midwest SOARRING Foundation is elated to be part of this historic town and looks forward to participating in many community events.

Native American Cultural Center Grand Opening

While SOARRING will begin offering programs in March, our grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2016. It will feature music, Native American vendors, cultural demonstrations, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and tours of the new Cultural Center. Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate.

Upcoming spring programs include talks on the Medicine Wheel by Joseph Standing Bear, Native People of the greater Chicago area by Miles Goddard, and a presentation on Native American Jewelry by Janet Smith.

MSF New Native American Cultural Center Location

Check our calendar page for the most up to date information on these and other events. Future plans for the cultural center programs include school and youth group presentations, Native American art exhibitions, and adult cultural talks.

2016 Midwest SOARRING Foundation Native American Scholarship Announcement

Midwest SOARRING Foundation is pleased to announce our 2016 scholarship for all students of native ancestry or an interest in Native American culture, pursuing advanced degrees and trades. The educational degree sought may be in undergraduate or graduate study in any field. While Native ancestry is not required, we are interested in applicants who have been involved with Midwest SOARRING Foundation in some capacity.

Interested applicants must fill out the Scholarship Application form, obtain a letter of recommendation from a teacher/professor, employer, or community service director; submit a 500 word essay as detailed on the application form, and a recent copy of their transcripts by July 15, 2016. Download 2016 Scholarship package.

Sponsors Sought for Harvest Pow Wow, September 24 & 25, 2016

Marketing materials will be distributed soon to promote this year’s festive Harvest Pow Wow, to be held at the Naper Settlement in Naperville, IL., the last weekend of September. We are currently looking for sponsors. Sponsorship applications are available by mail, email, or online. Please call 708.257.4300 for more information.

Pow Wow Photography Exhibit Displays

During the month of January 2016 the Oakbrook Public Library featured a display of SOARRING Pow Wow photographs along with an exhibit of Native American cultural artifacts. In mid March the Lockport Library will showcase a selection of Pow Wow photographs followed by the Naperville Public Library at 95th Street during the month of September. The exhibit offers an enticing and colorful view of Native American culture which still exists in our contemporary world. Plans are underway to exhibit the photographs in other western suburban locations. If your library or facility is interested in hosting this exhibit, please contact Janet at 630.257.4300.

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

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

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.

July 25, 2015

SOARRING 2015 Summer News

Midwest SOARRING Foundation Fundraiser and First Nations Art Exhibit

Pastor Tony Asta of the Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL has graciously offered to sponsor a fundraiser for Midwest SOARRING Foundation. The event will be held September 12, 2015 from 1pm to 5pm at the Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL.

SOARRING Fundraising and First Nations Art Exhibit

The public is welcome to shop at a number of Arts and Crafts vendors, listen to Native flute musicians, and attend the opening artist’s reception for First Nations Art Exhibit to be held at the adjacent Burning Bush Art Gallery. The art gallery is located at 216 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL. next door to the church. Download a flyer for the event.

Call for First Nations Art

Attention artists who create native art. The Burning Bush Art Gallery welcomes art submissions in all mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, and hand made native themed crafts for a First Nations Art Exhibit scheduled for Sept 12 through Sept. 27th. Artists must email the submission form to Tony Asta at tonyasta@ameritech.net by August 30th. If you have questions please contact Tony at 708.705.8669.

Special Guest Moses Brings Plenty at 21st Annual Harvest Pow Wow

Talented Lakota born actor, traditional Native musician, and model Moses Brings Plenty will be the special guest for the Midwest SOARRING Foundation 21st annual 2015 Harvest Pow Wow to be held September 26 & 27, 2015 at the Naper Settlement. Moses Brings Plenty was raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Special Guest Moses Brings Plenty

He was a former member of award winning musical group Brule, and principal television actor in the Cowboys and Aliens movie. Other acting roles include the Hell on Wheels TV show and the movies Pirates of the Caribbean and Wilma Mankiller. He also advocates for the rights of Indian communities, the protection of elders, and the importance of providing opportunities for native youth.

Purchase tickets for special VIP sessions with Moses Brings Plenty at the 21st Annual Harvest Pow Wow on Saturday or Sunday at 2:30pm. Cost is $35 per participant and $25 for Midwest SOARRING members. Each participant will receive an autographed photo of Moses Brings Plenty. Photos and autographs are exclusive to the VIP reception. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets online at www.harvestpowwow.com/tickets

Aurora Public Library Eola Branch Features Midwest SOARRING Foundation Pow Wow Photography Exhibit

During the months of July and August the Aurora Public Library Eola Branch will feature over twenty pow wow photographs from the Midwest SOARRING Foundation annual intertribal pow wows. This exhibit has been popular with library patrons in the western Chicago suburbs. Also on display are Native American cultural items. The public is invited to stop by and view the exhibit and learn more about Native American culture.

July 10, 2015

Midwest SOARRING Foundation 2015 Scholarship

Midwest SOARRING Foundation is pleased to announce our 2015 scholarship for all students with an interest or background in Native American culture. Applicants can be any student pursuing advanced degrees and trades in undergraduate or graduate education in any field. While Native American ancestry is not required, we are interested in applicants who have been involved with Midwest SOARRING Foundation in some capacity.

Our organization assists in repatriation, protection of sacred sites, environmental issues, as well as educating the public about Native American culture, important to our history and identity. The scholarship amount is $1,000 and will be awarded to the most eligible recipient, based on evaluation by the scholarship committee. The scholarship award will be announced at the 21st Harvest Pow Wow on Sunday, September 27, 2015. The Harvest Pow Wow takes place at the Naper Settlement, 523 Webster St., Naperville, IL.

Interested applicants must fill out the Scholarship Application form, obtain a letter of recommendation from a teacher/professor, employer, or community service director; complete a 500 word essay as detailed on the application form, and submit a recent copy of their school transcripts. Scholarship applications must be postmarked by August 31, 2015. Download a copy of the Scholarship letter with these listed requirements. Mail the above materials to:

Midwest SOARRING Foundation
P.O. Box 275
Lyons, IL. 60534

We encourage all interested applicants to apply.

June 1, 2015

SOARRING 2015 Spring Events

April 2015 Comcast Cares Day

Comcast Cares day held on the grounds of the Midwest SOARRING Native American Cultural Center on Saturday, April 25, 2015 was a great success, despite the intermittent rain. Everyone worked hard to clean up, cut, and burn brush and fallen limbs. All enjoyed a hearty lunch which Comcast supplied all volunteers. Many Comcast employees participated for the first time in a Native American talking circle and were amazed to experience the spiritual context of the talk. Midwest SOARRING Foundation is indebted to Comcast for their continued interest and support.

Black Ash Basket Making with Kelly Church

Black Ash Baskets by Kelly Church

On May 3rd, participants enjoyed a fascinating Black Ash basket making class led by Kelly Church of Odawa heritage. Kelly hails from generations of Black Ash basket makers from Michigan, and is a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Nations. As an artist and activist she shares her knowledge of working with Black Ash trees as well as educating the public on the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer on cultural traditions. In the workshop Kelly discussed what is being done to save seeds which will sustain the traditions for future generations. Each participant helped weave a group Black Ash basket.

Naperville Elementary School Around the World Celebration

Midwest SOARRING Foundation participated in the Around The World celebration at May Watts Elementary School in Naperville on May 12, 2015. SOARRING brought their artifacts table with hides, dream catchers, and Native tools which generated much interest and curiosity for the children. Two high school age Native dance performers danced in full regalia on stage to tribal drum music. Their performance was received.

Midwest SOARRING Foundation Photography Exhibit

The Midwest SOARRING Foundation Pow Wow photography exhibit has been on display for the months of April and May at the Wheaton Public Library. It will move to the Eola Branch of the Aurora Public Library for July and August. Librarians are happy to sponsor the exhibit and say library patrons respond positively to the display.

Your Membership Matters

Midwest SOARRING Foundation welcomes your involvement and membership in our organization. To become a member sign up online. Anyone who wants to volunteer at the 2015 Harvest Pow Wow, to be held September 26 & 27, 2015 at the Naper Settlement, please contact 708.257.4300.

Pepsico as New Sponsor at Harvest Pow Wow

Pepsico will be a brand new sponsor at the Midwest SOARRING Harvest Pow Wow this year. Their participation will bring a focus to the green movement with a bottle recycling machine and handbags made from recycled bottles. Learn more about the 2015 Harvest Pow Wow.

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