EDWARDS – The 18th Annual Return to Pimiteoui Pow Wow will be held June 13th and 14th, 2009, at W.H. Sommer Park, on Koerner Rd. (off Rt. 150 west of the Shoppes of Grand Prairie) in Edwards, IL. It is a gathering of Native and Non-Native Americans from all over the country to sing, dance, and share each other’s company. This is a wholesome family centered event with free, ample parking and handicap accessibility. Admission cost is $5 per car. Come and experience Native American singers and dancers in full regalia. In the early days of this land pow wows were gatherings of friends and relation who came together to share information, tell stories and to swap goods. There were feasts, dances singing, drumming and games. During a period of more than 160 years following the arrival of the first French explorers in 1673, a large number of tribes are known to have either inhabited or passed through the part of the Illinois River Valley that is now Peoria.
Once called Pimiteoui, this land of abundance included the Peoria Lakes and the immediate surrounding area. We welcome the many descendants of these peoples and all who will join us as we Return to Pimiteoui and give tribute to their ancestors who were the first keepers of this land. This pow wow is intertribal which means that respect is given to the traditions of different tribes and works towards harmony and improved understanding of each other.
The mission of Return to Pimiteoui is to educate the public about the Native American history and cultural heritage of the Peoria area and to provide the descendants of Native Americans once living in this area with a structure for gathering together with one another and for expressing their cultural traditions.
Central Illinois is fortunate to have the dedicated drum groups of Spirit of the Rainbow and Eagle Ridge performing. The Head Man Dancer is Gary Martine and the Head Woman Dancer will be announced soon. The Master of Ceremonies is Leonard Malatere.
There will be a primitive camp with French voyageurs, which represents the first Europeans to meet and live with the Illinois Woodland tribes. Various tents, teepees, and shelters of the time make up the camp. Re-enactors provide a living historical view of the period as they live in the camp during the two day event. They will display the food, clothing, gear, and weapons that depict a living history of the 1600’s including tipis and welcome questions from the public.
The Return to Pimiteoui Pow Wow Committee was formed under the Peoria 1691 Foundation during preparation for the 1991-2 Peoria Tri-Centennial Celebration. It shares the mission of educating the public about the early history and inhabitants of the Peoria area. The cultural center offers hands on activities for children and adults such as corn grinding, beading, pump drills, pottery making, and more. Storytelling and educational exhibits will be featured. Artists from around the country will demonstrate Native American arts such as bowmaking, wood carving, flintknapping, flutes, fingerweaving, Ledger paintings, dance regalia, fiber arts, etc. Lou Aiello’s Traveling Museum will feature Native American reproductions that depict Indian life prior to the Europeans. The goal is to help people recognize the heritage and culture which has enriched our past, but can also enlighten our future.
An Interfaith Worship Service will be led by Pastor Carol Lakota Eastin, who is pastor of the Native American Fellowship Dayspring Church of East Peoria. The service is open to people of all faiths and races. The church’s mission is to share Native American traditions and spirituality and the teachings of Jesus Christ in an intertribal community welcome to all.
For up to date information on the programs and the event’s schedule, please check the website: http://www.peoriapowwow.org/

This program is sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Schedule of Events:

10:00 am – Grounds open to the public-Cultural Center, Traders, Food Vendors, Demonstrators and Primitive camp open
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm & 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Gourd Dancing in the Dance arena
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm & 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Grand Entry of all the dancers followed by intertribal dancing in the dance arena

10:00 am – Grounds open to the public – Cultural Center, Traders, Food Vendors, Demonstrators and Primitive camp open
10:30 am – Interfaith Worship Service – Open to the Public
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Gourd Dancing in the Dance arena
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Grand Entry of all the dancers followed by Intertribal dancing in the Dance arena

Contact Information: Return to Pimiteoui, PO Box 3874 Peoria, IL 61614
http://www.peoriapowwow.org/
Telephone: 309 691-8423