The feet of intertribal dancers dressed in colorful regalia will thump the ground, echoing the rhythmic pulse of drumbeats this weekend at Naper Settlement as they make their Grand Entry at the Harvest Pow Wow.
The Native American dance tradition, set for 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, is the heartbeat of a weekend-long cultural festival that includes dancing, music, children’s activities, ceremony and demonstrations.
Presented by the Midwest SOARRING Foundation , the festival is also a way to educate visitors about issues that concern Native Americans, said Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, the group’s president and founder.
Repatriation and protection of sacred sites are among the most cherished goals of the foundation, a Lockport-based Native American nonprofit group. The organization’s name, SOARRING, stands for Save Our Ancestors’ Remains and Resources Indigenous Network Group.
Schranz said information about current issues, along with petition drives, will be available at the pow wow for visitors who want to know more or get involved.
One issue on the group’s radar is the culling of wild horse herds in western states, Schranz said.
“It’s not right. The horses were there first,” he said. To draw attention to the controversy, Schranz said the pow wow will welcome a special visitor.
“I believe we’re going to have a mustang coming,” he said.
Visitors also can learn about the North Dakota Access Pipeline, a crude oil pipeline under construction in North Dakota that has drawn protests and objections from Native American tribes concerned that the construction will disrupt tribal lands.
“We’re trying to stop it. We don’t want it going through the reservation, which is not legal,” Schranz said.
Schranz said a petition drive to protect the Bears Ears region in Utah also will be conducted at the event. The effort, led by five tribes and supported by 26 more, is attempting to protect 1.9 million acres of scenic land that holds religious, cultural and historical significance for Native Americans.
Beyond learning about issues of concern, visitors also
can learn a bit of history as the pow wow celebrates the motorcycle.
“Indian Motorcycles is going to join us Saturday,” Schranz said.
He said the company manufactured military equipment, including a military motorcycles, for U.S. troops during World War I and World War II.
A special ceremony honoring military veterans will begin at 1 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Military veterans also will serve as flag-bearers leading the Grand Entries.
Pow wow entertainment will include Native American flute player Al Jewer, Aztec dancers and movie and television actor Moses Brings Plenty.
“We have the Menominee hoop dancers back this year,” he said.
An American bald eagle named Deshka will be on hand with her handlers, members of Save Our American Raptors.
Craft and food vendors will be available at the pow wow. Visitors may bring lawn chairs, but pets are not allowed.
