16th Annual Pow-Wow Potawatomi Trails Social

The heartbeat of Mother Earth echoed through the old Potawatomi council grounds August 29^th and 30^th 2009, in Zion, Illinois.

The 16^th Annual Pow-Wow Potawatomi Trails Social sprang to life with the rhythmic beats of the drums. Our veterans, today's warriors, proudly escorted the flags into the circle followed by an amazing array of dancers adorned in beautiful displays of their traditional outfits (also known as regalia). The sight was nothing short of breath taking.

Thousands of people throughout the weekend came and participated in the festivities, intertribal dances and honoring of our veterans. The Pow-Wow strives to bring communities together and teachings of the Native American Indian heritage to everyone. As Bill Brown Sr. explains, "The elders teach us that we're all related. We are all human beings." This was well apparent for all those in attendance that weekend.

The weather was quite chilling but no one seemed to notice as they danced another intertribal or listened to the music of one of the three tremendously talented and known entertainers. Potawatomi Trails Pow-Wow Committee invited three very unique performers.

Arvel Bird a Southern Paiute and Scottish Native flute player and classically trained violin player graced us with his unbelievable music. He exquisitely combined both of his ancestral roots for a musical sound that is absolutely joyous to your ears.

Irene Bedard and Deni brought us a magnificent blend of Native and American Culture intertwined in contemporary sound. Irene, an Alaskan Native incorporates a message of love for the human nation, with no exclusions. Their unique sound is beyond incredible.

J.J. Kent, representing the Oglala Lakota Nation, is a Native flute player and storyteller honored us with his incredible heartfelt songs and wonderful stories. His resonating melody touched the hearts of many in attendance. The stories taught valuable lessons we can all relate too in our lives. The combination of his talents equals a magnificent display of his roots.

Ten Pow Wow Drum groups were in attendance at the Pow-Wow, bringing their traditional songs and awesome talent. The Bucks, out of Milwaukee Wisconsin was the host drum for the weekend and they brought their best! These drums are the center of the Pow-Wow and kept the dancers dancing and spectators entertained.

A hundred or more dancers in their traditional outfits danced all day Saturday well into the night until the Pow-Wow closed for the night. Come Sunday they were back and dancing in spectacular fashion as the day before.

If that wasn't enough there was a Native Exhibit booth set up with a traditional Potawatomi storyteller. You could sit, visit and learn about traditions and displayed artifacts. Skip Twardosz an exceptional storyteller and historian was a thrill to listen to and learn from, as many did over the weekend.

It was incredible how many vendors set up shop and had many Native American Indian crafts, books, leather, t-shirts and so much more for sale. For anyone who collects or enjoys the arts of this culture would be like a child in a candy store. There was so much to choose from it was almost too hard to decide what to buy.

It was a sensational weekend, many kind words from elders, dancers, drums and spectators poured in about how the Pow-wow made them feel and how much they enjoyed themselves.

Sources
Tina Johansson, "Pow-Wow this weekend in Zion" News Sun.

Kendrick Marshal, "Pow-wow celebrates culture, Mother Earth" News Sun.

Bill Brown, Sr., "Patawatomi Trails Pow-Wow Press Release with Arvel Bird", Working Mom Writes.

Bill Brown, Sr., "Patawatomi Trails Pow-Wow Press Release with Irene Bedard", Working Mom Writes.

"JJ Kent's Fan Club", Our Stage.

The Potawatomi Trails Pow-Wow Committee, "Welcome to GoFLO.com - Lake County, Illinois Portal", Go Flo.