18th Annual Harvest Pow Wow 9/22 & 9/23

 Save Our Ancestors Remains & Resources Indigenous Network Group

This was my first experience attending a Pow Wow. I was invited by Ray Piagentini, a counselor at Barrington High school in Barrington, Illinois. He is the Moderator of the "Brother's Keeper" Club of high school students involved in the DAKOTA Outreach Program each summer with 45 students and 12 students each winter. This group of well organized students assists the Dakota Children of the Crow Creek Reservation at FT. Thompson, South Dakota. I am proud to be invited each year as a chaperone and provider of daily hands on jewelry making experiences. Ray and his students set up a booth at the pow wow to promote their program.

The Harvest Pow Wow had lots of "pow" and even more "wow" than I was expecting. During part of the opening ceremony, I found myself dancing in the circle with other veterans. As a Vietnam "Era" Veteran serving in a support group in Texas and Germany; this was the first time I have ever been invited to participate.

This all inclusive event had much to offer. The Indian Tacos were delicious and the booths displayed many beautiful artifacts for sale. The dancers and their costumes were awesome and I was surprised to see some dancers in full regalia who looked like my ancestors from Scandinavia.

"Midwest SOARRING Foundation welcomes everyone to the festivities of their intertribal pow wows. Over many years [the] foundation has sponsored two local pow wows: The Honor the Eagle Pow Wow held each May in Starved Rock State Park, Utica, Illinois, and the Annual Harvest Pow Wow held in September at the Naper Settlement in Naperville, Illinois."

"Pow wows are a time to celebrate life, renew friendships, and share our Native American culture through dance, drumming, art, story telling, and song. The drum, as the heartbeat of Mother Earth, holds a special place beside the arena. Several groups"…"share the honor of singing and drumming at our events"…"The pow wow opens each day with a grand entry lead by veterans carrying flags, and followed by all the dancers dressed in bright regalia characteristic to their specific dance."

        Among many contributions, "S.O.A.R"... "[s]ponsors lectures on the history and
       traditions of the Indigenous cultures, including the pre-Columbian, early historic and
       current eras."

 Save Our Ancestors Remains & Resources Indigenous Network Group

What does a 'Yosemite High Sierra Ranger Guided Loop Hike' have to do with Art Education?

On August 22nd, Anita and I drove from Barrington, Illinois to the Yosemite National Park for a seven day ‘High Sierra Ranger Guided Loop Hike’. We returned yesterday afternoon. 

This was an experience of a lifetime. We are spellbound. Our leader and teacher, Ranger B-Rad was extremely helpful, knowledgable, and personable from day break to sundown providing detailed information about this perfect natural wilderness. 

There were nine of us strangers on this 49 mile hike, and we became good friends, climbing one day three consecutive sequences of 1000ft inclines in one mile each to the camp at “Vogelsang”. Another day included a segment of a 1500ft incline with switchbacks on rocky trails within 1 and 1/2 miles to reach the camp at “Sunrise”. 

Altogether, we hiked 7 to 10 miles each day for 6 days at 7150ft to 10,180ft elevation. After the fourth day was one rest day, then we resumed hiking two more days. However Ranger B-Rad planned a short hike to a nearby lake 3 miles away for R and R for that day and had three volunteers from our group and three more from camp. This eager group is pictured in front of the dining room tent at Merced Lake Camp. 

This was a great achievement for Anita and myself in our retirement. All nine of us were so proud to have completed this endeavor together. My feet were sore and I was physically exhausted after each day. Permanent tents with beds and wood-burning stoves, and wonderful meals prepared for our arrival/departure at each camp, ensured a near complete recovery for the next day’s adventure. This experience allowed us to connect to the earth; and in turn, we were deeply touched by it. 

                        Educational programs at Yosemite and other National Parks
Teacher to Ranger to Teacher Programs

                       Educational programs at Yosemite and other National Parks
Teacher to Ranger to Teacher Programs