The sounds of tribal drumbeats, songs, storytelling and dancing echoed throughout Shiloh Park in Zion over the weekend as the 33rd edition of the Potawatomi Trials Pow Wow attracted an estimated 3,500 visitors for the three-day event.

Those in attendance participated in Native American dancing, while learning crafts taught by tribal elders.

The name of the event is taken from the practice of bending saplings in a certain direction that would take root as a sign post. Activities included walking the fire circle to offer prayers, sampling authentic Native American food like fry bread, and learning about the various tribal heritages.

Robin Jumper, a Cherokee from North Carolina, is termed a “fancy dancer” because of the luminous colors and double bustle of feathers in the back of his garb.(Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Storytelling is a big part of the tribal gathering, serving as oral history passed down through the generations. Traditionally, Shiloh Park is the site of council meetings for tribes, some as far away as Canada, to air grievances and give praise. The event was held on the site, a grove surrounded by a ring of trees containing the main tent.

“Over the last four years, I’ve learned more about our indigenous community here in Lake County,” said David Sandy, the Pow Wow Committee’s vice-president. “One of the things is I had no idea that the park site is the ancient council meeting site for Potawatomi tribes from Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada.”

“There are some trees that are a century old and reflect the trail of the bent sapling,” he said. “I’ve been told by elders that there are remnants and artifacts from the area at Lake County’s Bess Bower Dunn Museum.”

Not only did the event provide a way for guests to experience the Native American heritage, some individuals have found their own roots by attending the weekend.

“I grew up in Chicago, and every November my mother would take me to the International Ampitheater,” said Cruzanne Lewis, a committee member. “This was before my elders told me that part of my heritage is Cherokee and Choctaw. It became a way of life, and I learned all I could. In moving to Lake County, I needed to find the closest Pow Wow, and discovered this one.

“I continued to learn about ‘walking the red road’ and made wonderful friends and lifelong mentors,” Lewis said. “The vendors have authentic native offerings and the drums will take you to another time and place. There are different dance styles. There is a magic in dancing or just walking the circle to Mother Earth’s heartbeat.”

Tribal dancers captivated the crowd with representative garb, such as Robin Jumper, a Cherokee from North Carolina. He is termed a “fancy dancer,” clothed in bright luminous colors, as well as a double bustle of feathers and ribbons seeming to float with each step.

“I’m glad to be here, and showing these traditions,” he said.

Traditional dances were performed as part of the ceremony, moving to the right in a circle. Warriors would occasionally move counter-clockwise, outside the circle, as symbolic protection. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

The ceremonial fire, circled by cedar boughs, opened to the east where guests entered to offer prayer by sprinkling tobacco, sage, white cedar and sweetgrass to be burned.

“The fire can never go out; if it does, the whole thing ends,” said Dominic Pozzi, the firekeeper. “I was exposed to this heritage in grade school. It has changed my life’s direction.”

The flags are placed in standards beside the main activity tent, following the Grand Entry and Veteran’s Walk, at several points during the three-day event. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun_

The Zion Park District helped to sponsor and host the annual event, which continues to grow.

“The Zion Park District is proud to partner with the Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow, and the activities,” said Christine Wertman, the Park District’s community relations manager. “This family-friendly event attracts people from all over the Midwest to celebrate our Native American heritage, right here in Shiloh Park.”

Tobacco, sage, white cedar, and sweetgrass are kept in bowls near the ceremonial fire for prayer offerings to be sprinkled onto the flames. Tradition bars photos of the fire itself, as it contains the prayers of others. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/25/potawatomi-trails-pow-wow/