Pow wow in Naperville honors Native American culture

If an eagle feather falls to the ground during the Harvest Pow Wow at Naper Settlement this weekend, visitors are advised not to touch it. Instead, a pow wow official should be notified so the proper ceremony can surround the feather's return.

This Pow Wow etiquette guideline is one of several customary, respectful bows to tradition that informs the Native American culture celebrated at the annual event, running Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.

The two-day celebration brings dancing, drumming, storytelling, art and people together for a fall festival presented by the Midwest SOARRING Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on educating the public about Native American culture and issues and building community.

A cornerstone of the Harvest Pow Wow is the Grand Entry, a ceremony set for 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Dancers enter the circle arena in the center of the settlement, dressed in regalia and preceded by American military veterans carrying flags.

“We like to honor three to seven veterans with a medal each time,” said Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, founder and president of Midwest SOARRING.

Schranz said the organization puts a high priority on honoring and recognizing veterans' sacrifices and efforts on behalf of our country with acknowledgments of “the high cost they pay in both their bodies and their spirits.”

“Many vets come back with the 'war shock.' It's in their spirits and they can't get rid of it. A lot of times, this is the first time they are recognized,” he said.

“One of the most heartwarming aspects of the pow wow is they honor our veterans,” said Donna DeFalco, marketing and sales representative at the settlement.

“We're so pleased that Midwest SOARRING chose to hold the pow wow here,” said DeFalco. “It's unique. We really don't have a chance to experience it (elsewhere) in our area. I have (had) so many people tell me through the years how much they've enjoyed it.”

The pow wow will include performances by native flute player Al Jewer, Aztec dancers Ocelotl-Cihuacoatl and hoop dancers from Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Actor Moses Brings Plenty, a Lakota raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, will attend VIP receptions at 2:30 p.m. both days. There is an extra charge for admission to the receptions.

“He's one of our top 10 male Indian stars rising,” Schranz said. “We're going to raffle off a drum that he signs.”

From noon to 5 p.m. both days, visitors will have the chance to see Deshka, an American bald eagle, along with other birds of prey presented by the Save Our American Raptors organization.

Visitors also can observe crafts demonstrations, including the art of flintknapping, or arrowhead-making. Knowledgeable guides will be on hand to take visitors inside a tepee and wigwam.

Children will find crafts in the children's area as well, and vendors will be selling their wares. A new vendor this year is Indian motorcycles, Schranz said.

Harvest Pow Wow

<b>When:</b> 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27

<b>Where:</b> Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville

<b>Admission:</b> $10 for adults, $7 for seniors age 62 and older and children ages 3-12, free for children under 3

<b>Info:</b> <a href="http://www.harvestpowwow.com">harvestpowwow.com</a>, <a href="http://www.napersettlement.org">napersettlement.org</a>, (708) 257-4300 or (630) 420-6010