Native American veterans to gather at Cantigny in Wheaton
Hundreds of Native American veterans will gather Aug. 29 and 30 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton to celebrate and remember what some say is the "untold story" of American Indians' contributions to the U.S. military.
"On our reservations they're recognized in regular weekly or monthly opportunities, but outside of the reservation there's not a whole lot of people who recognize the contribution that our people have given," event organizer Joseph Podlasek said.
Some of the most notable contributions include the use of Native American languages in military communications during various wars to prevent messages from being deciphered by the enemy.
Podlasek - who also serves as CEO of the Schaumburg-based Trickster Gallery, which displays Native American and cultural art - said the National Gathering of Native Veterans will be the first event of its kind, drawing about 1,000 veterans from across the nation.
"The bottom line is really to say thank you to the native vets and to hear their story and to welcome people in," he said. "We want people to come in and enjoy the day with us, sit down and talk to a vet."
The first day of the event is free to the public. Everyone is invited to attend the opening ceremony at 11 a.m., where all veterans, native and nonnative, will be recognized.
Podlasek stressed that the ceremony is not a pow wow, but will feature many colorful pieces of Native American culture, such as awards for native color guards, an explanation of the Eagle Staff and native music played on the drums by the Pokagon tribe.
"For us, pow wows are a big thing in our culture, but veterans have a lot of responsibilities when we do a pow wow," he said. "That's why we're doing it a little bit different."
Veterans can sit back as several guest speakers make presentations, including World War II and Korean War veteran Charles Norman Shay, who served as a combat medic and advocated for the creation of a Native American Heritage Day.
Native musicians, including Gabriel Ayala and Wade Fernandez, will perform throughout the day and artist and poet Bunky Echo-Hawk will put on a live art performance. Native arts and crafts vendors will have their work on display too. Kids can get their faces painted and walk through an American Indian village with a guide.
Veterans and national leaders will meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 30, to discuss several issues affecting native veterans. Members of the public are invited to the meeting, but must pay $5 to enter.
"It will really be a policy-drive day with people from Washington, D.C., policymakers there to come listen to the veterans' voices," Podlasek said.
Topics that will be covered include cultural wellness, views on healing and spirituality and working with Western methodologies at hospitals, and economic development and job success.
Videographers will be present during the event, recording the activities and veterans' stories in preparation for a documentary. Podlasek has plans to pass the videos along to "as many educational venues as we can," including several area colleges and high schools that he has already been in contact with.
Volunteers are still needed for the event. Podlasek is encouraging Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops to consider coming out to help. For information, contact Podlasek at JoeP@TricksterGallery.com.
If you go
What: National Gathering of Native Veterans
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
When: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, and 9 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Aug. 30
Cost: Free for all veterans; public free Saturday, $5 Sunday
Why: To celebrate contributions by Native American veterans