LeRoy, IL – June 14th-15th, 2003 – Native American are again preparing to gather at the original site of the Kickapoo Grand Village as the Grand Village Park Association, along with the McLean Country Arts Center, host the 6th annual Kickapoo Pow Wow near LeRoy, IL. This traditional Native American gathering has become an annual ritual inviting the public to share their rich heritage for the unity of all people. It is a basic Native belief that we are all related. 

Grand entry will be at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and again at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

A special flag will be flown called the ‘Golden Star Flag’, which has not been flown for approximately 60 years and was made for the women who lost children in the wars.

We will also have 15-20 flags at Grand Entry and color guards in full uniform for Grand Entry. 

This year’s pop wow features host drums Tiyospaye and Eagle Ridge. Our Head dancers will be Glenn ‘Red Knife’ Barnhills and Beverly Levier. Award-winning storyteller, John ‘Red Blanket’ Gartland will bring his theatrical experience together with his Native American heritage to present intriguing, educational and thought-provoking stories as Emcee. Special demonstrations in traditional Native crafts will be featured throughout the weekend, along with the display of the many silent auction items that will culminate at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

Plan to attend as the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park Pow Wow has become the largest historical event in McLean Country and one of the largest Native American cultural events in the state of Illinois. For additional information and directions to the park visit our website at www.grandvillage.org or contact Bill Emmett at 309/962-2700 or Dixie Thomas at 309/962-4106.