Potawatomi artist photo exhibit at Des Plaines History Center
The public is invited to immerse themselves in Potawatomi art and culture at the Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St. Six stunning, almost-life-size photographs of several Potawatomi men, women, and children in their colorful regalia are on exhibit from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays, now until the end of June.
Potawatomi artist Sharon Hoogstraten began taking formal pictures of various members of the Potawatomi tribe in 2010 and is thrilled that there is now a permanent photographic record of the Citizen Potawatomis. Each portrait at the History Center is accompanied by a handwritten personal story.
Hoogstraten enjoys sharing her work and educating the public. She is on a mission to dispel stereotypes about widespread poverty and addiction on the reservation and inform others about the Potawatomis, who are engineers, academics, lawyers and National Honor Society members. Another one of her objectives is to teach the current population of the Great Lakes Region about the previous inhabitants.
Hoogstraten's exhibit includes these words: "For all the general information we think we have on Native American history, I have been amazed at how few people know that here in Chicago we stand on the former Anishnaabe Empire! The Anishnaabe (People of the Fire) include, broadly speaking, the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Ottawa tribes which covered Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and nearby parts of Canada. There are still seven federally recognized Potawatomi reservations in the area: five in Michigan, the Forest County Potawatomi in Wisconsin, and the Walpole Island - First Nation, Canada. The Prairie Band Potawatomi in Kansas and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Shawnee, Oklahoma, are the result of the 1838 roundup and forced march of Potawatomis from Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan to Kansas (Trail of Death) ordered by President Andrew Jackson."
Hoogstraten will discuss her photographs and Potawatomi traditions at the children's program Afternoon Adventures from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, at the History Center. The program is designed for kids, ages 5-12, with an adult. Each child will also make a dream catcher to take home. The fee is $3 per child, $2 with a member.
For information please call (847) 391-5399 or visit desplaineshistory.org. When online, visitors are invited to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and become a member to receive updates, bulletins, and newsletters.
The Des Plaines History Center is supported by the City of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Park District, its members, and other local business and community contributors.
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