Harvest Pow Wow
Native American culture came alive at Midwest Soarring’s 25th annual Harvest Pow Wow.
“The Pow Wow that we have here is an event that gathers many different peoples, tribal people from around the country,” said Midwest Soarring’s founder Joseph Standing Bear. “And it’s important to have a place to express our cultural, tribal beliefs.”
They expressed those beliefs by praying through the spirit fire, teaching people about the spirit of animals like horses, and more.
Cultural Dances
But the main part of the event was the dancing in the Pow Wow arena.
“My favorite part is the dancing. The spirit that comes out of me when I’m dancing for my family and my relatives and the people that watch,” said head dancer Thorpe Sine.
Even the audience had the chance to take part in the dances, but then all eyes were on Laura Grizzlypaws.
She was a true highlight – the only female Grizzly Bear Dancer in North America.
But not all the dances were about portraying the culture.
ReDress Project
A special red dress dance was also part of the day to bring awareness to the ReDress Project, which brings awareness to missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
“We’re gathering red dresses to draw attention to the women that are missing and to really mark their presence. It’s a very spiritual project and artwork where people are encountering the presence of these women that are no longer with us,” said artist of the project Jamie Black.
Special Dedication
This year’s Pow Wow was dedicated to Joseph’s wife, Janet Standing Bear, who passed away in November.
Naperville News 17’s Aysha Ashley Househ reports.
