As a partner organization in the Illinois Bicentennial, Moraine Valley Community College is hosting a Native American drum group and dancers from the Midwest Save Our Ancestor’s Remains & Indigenous Network Group (SOARRING) Foundation on Thursday, Sept. 13, 12:30 to 2 p.m., outside Building U, on campus, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. The performance is free and open to all.
The group will be presented by Joseph Standing Bear Schranz and Janet Sevilla, president and vice president of operations (respectively) of the foundation’s executive board. Drummers will hail from the Red Line Singers Drum Group, and cultural dancers are from the Navajo/Ojibwa and Mayan tribes.
They will perform the following dances:
- Men’s Traditional Dance – Ira Francisco (Navajo/Ojibwa)
- Grass Dance – Elias Francisco (Navajo/Ojibwa)
- Jingle Dress Dance – Olivia Francisco (Navajo/Ojibwa)
- Fancy Shawl Dance – Abaigeal Lyons (Mayan)
The Midwest SOARRING Foundation is a Native American not-for-profit organization that educates
the public about various American Indian cultural and environmental issues, and builds community among all people. It also facilitates repatriation, environmental and cultural issues for Indigenous nations.
“When Illinois was founded in 1818, this land was prairie and home to many Native American tribes. The drum group and dancers are a great way to educate our campus community about that heritage. We are very excited to kick off our celebration of the Illinois Bicentennial on our campus with Midwest SOARRING Foundation,” said Jessica Crotty, assistant director of Communications and chair of the Illinois Bicentennial Committee at Moraine Valley.
The college is offering several events in recognition of the state’s 200th birthday throughout the fall 2018 semester, culminating on Dec. 3, the day Illinois became the 21st state in the Union. For a listing of events and an Illinois history timeline, visit morainevalley.edu/Illinois-bicentennial. For more information about Midwest SOARRING, visit midwestsoarring.org.
