Annual Harvest Pow Wow –September 24 and 25, 2017

The 23^rd Annual Harvest Pow Wow thrived amid the exceptionally hot September weekend temperature which soared to the high 90’s.  Many agreed it was the best Harvest Pow Wow sponsored by Midwest SOARRING Foundation in recent years held at the Naper Settlement.  Both Saturday and Sunday’s schedule included a large array of Native American dancers dressed in full regalia and dancing to the drum beat of Milwaukee Bucks, Little Thunder with the Medicine Bear Singers, and Red Line.

Grand Entry

The audience filled the arena seating three times over the course of the weekend to watch the dramatic Grand Entry led by Veterans carrying the flags, followed by long line of colorful dancers. City of Naperville, Mayor Chirico greeted the audience and helped hand out medals to Veterans.

Throughout the weekend event, both the MC and dancers encouraged onlookers to join in the arena dancing. A crowd pleaser for all was the potato dance where participants balance a potato between their foreheads and step in rhythm with the music. The last couple to keep the potato balanced between their foreheads, without using their hands wins.  Later Polynesian dancing and Aztec drumming and dance performances honored Mother Earth.  A children’s dance featured a quick scramble for candy in the arena circle. Interspersed throughout the day was colorful exhibition dancing  that included the the group Snake Dance, Jingle Dress, Fancy War , Grass Dancing, Fancy Shawl, Traditional Dancing, and other specialty dances.

Jingle Dancers

A new and popular attraction this year was a supervised archery range for children, busy with eager participants both Saturday and Sunday. Exclusive to the Harvest Pow Wow was Apache the Mustang, who was present for families to pet and observe. Flintknapping (making an arrowhead) and Native themed arts and crafts activities as annual activities were family favorites. Imaginations were kindled with visits to the large red Tipi complete with authentic Native American implements and designs. Finally, S.O.A.R., (Save Our American Raptors and Deshka the American Bald Eagle) entertained families with close encounters with Raptor birds.

Special guest and Native American actor William Strongheart represented the non-profit organization CANA at the Harvest Pow Wow. CANA rescues wild horse family groups and places them on Native American tribal lands. Strongheart mingled with pow wow attendees, spoke about his work with CANA, and signed the drum which was auctioned off. Other non profit organizations in attendance included the Nature Conservancy and the Utah Wilderness Alliance.  The Nature Conservancy provided educational information regarding their conservation effort in the Midwest, which encompasses their own Bison herd as well as maps and directions to visit other bison herds in Illinois. The Utah Wilderness Alliance seeks to educate the public about the importance of protecting two wild Utah wilderness areas that include Bear Ears and Escalante Staircase National Monuments. Bear Ears encompasses over 10,000 ancient Native American sites and Escalante Staircase contains historic dinosaur bones important for archaeological study.

Polynesian Dancer swallowing fire

Every year a unique shopping opportunity awaited Pow Wow visitors. Over thirty-five Native American themed vendors offered beautiful hand crafted pottery, jewelry, regalia, music, clothing, herbal salves and lotions and music. Families sat in the shade and feasted on Indian Tacos and hand squeezed lemonade, among other treats. In keeping with the inclusive spirit of the Pow Wow, new friendships were kindled. Pepsico, one of the Harvest Pow Wow sponsors, provided welcome refreshments of chips and cold drinks for all.

Plans are underway for the 24^th Annual Harvest Pow Wow to be held September 23 and 24, 2018 at the Naper Settlement in Naperville. Midwest SOARRING Foundation looks forward to everyone participating in one of the most well- known pow wows in the state of Illinois. Scout groups, history lovers, veterans, families and the public are all welcome.

SOARRING Native American Cultural Center Events: April-July 2016

Spring 2016 ushered in a number of cultural events following the grand opening of the Midwest SOARRING Foundation Native American Cultural Center.   On April 16, 2016, Janet Smith-Petersen, of Hozhoni  Gallery / The Sundance Gallery of Downers Grove shared reservation stories from her personal contacts  selling Native American jewelry over many years. Her talk was informative and entertaining.

Reservation Road Stories
talk by Janet Smith-Petersen

The following week, a beginning beaded earring class was held for teens and adults, led by experienced bead artist Karen Thompson.

The third annual Comcast Cares Volunteer Work Day occurred at the end of April at the Heritage Village near the I & M Canal in Lockport.  SOARRING members worked alongside Comcast employees to create a garden, clean historic buildings, and weed invasive plants from the I & M Canal trail.  A ceremony at the fire pit was held after the work was completed. SOARRING is grateful for the collaborative involvement with Comcast, as both organizations  give back to the Lockport community.

On May 7, 2016, Joseph Standing Bear Schranz gave the Bison Invocation at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in celebration of the arrival of 27 American Bison to the prairie. The event was well attended by the public and was sponsored by the National Park Service.

On Saturday, May 14, 2016 Ojibwe Elder Myles Goddard presented a fascinating talk on Native Peoples from Illinois-from prehistoric to present times.  With over fifty years of teaching and lecture experience in Native Studies, Goddard covered the history and lifestyles of the Illini, Michiganea, Mastbouten, Kickapoo, Chippewa, Ottawa, and Pottawatomie tribes who all lived in the Illinois Valley. Participants at the talk enjoyed seeing his museum quality artifacts from pre-historic peoples that were discovered on his family farm.

SOARRING garden created on Comcast Cares Volunteer Work Day at Heritage Village

In early June, Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, founder and president of Midwest SOARRING Foundation shared the teaching of the medicine wheel which he learned from his elders on the White Earth Ojibwe Reservation in Minnesota. The Medicine Wheel is fundamental for many Native peoples and dates back thousands of years.  June also included SOARRING’s participation in Old Canal Days in Lockport which included craft vendors and the John Days Celebration at the organic farm.

A summer solstice celebration welcoming the season of growth was held on June 20^th  and was followed by a potluck supper.

22nd Annual Harvest Pow Wow

There is much excitement and anticipation in the air with the 22^nd Annual Harvest Pow Wow just around the corner.  On September 24 and 25^th the grounds of the Naper Settlement in Naperville, IL. will once more be filled with the colorful regalia and sounds of Native American dancers and drum groups. The public will be able to experience Native American culture and shop at over 35 vendors selling Indigenous art, crafts, music, and food.

Special guest Moses Brings Plenty will be available throughout the weekend for autographs and photos. Moses is Native American actor, musician, and model with roles in AMC’s The American West & Hell on Wheels, Netflix House of Cards, Cowboys & Aliens, Pirates of the Caribbean, Hidalgo, Thunder Heart, The Cherokee Word for Water, and most recently Reverent.

Other Harvest Pow Wow highlights include:

• Grand entry of all dancers: Saturday 1pm & 7pm, Sunday 1pm
• Presentation by Moses Brings Plenty Sat. 5pm
• Special Veteran’s Honoring Sat. & Sun. 1pm
• Deshka, The American Bald Eagle and other birds of prey with S.O.A.R exhibit
• Aztec Dance performers Ocelotl-Cihuacoatl Sat. & Sunday
• Music by Mark Jourdan and Native Flute Al Jewer
• Hoop Dancing by Little Bear Hoop Dancers, Menominee, WI
• Children’s Crafts – 11am to 5pm
• Craft & Food Vendors
• Tipis & Raffles
• Tour Naper Settlement & Museum with same admission fee

View the complete schedule of events. 

SOARRING gives thanks to all of its sponsors and all they do the organization, with the most recent addition of Indian Motorcycle.

Pow Wow Photography Exhibit at Naperville 95th Street Public Library

During the month of September, the popular Midwest SOARRING Pow Wow photography exhibit is on display at the Naperville 95^th street Public Library.

SOARRING Pow Wow Photo Exhibit at 95th St. Naperville Library

Previously several prints and artifacts were on display at the Lockport Public Library in April. Currently, examples of Native American crafts are also on display at the Cicero City Hall.

Midwest SOARRING Fall Native American Cultural Events

Plans are underway for additional fall classes and lectures. Topics will include moccasin making, beading, leather working, as well as many more.  Be sure to check our calendar for the latest postings.