"Illinois, Welcome The Kickapoo Home"
On May 30, 1998, with the sun at its height, 2,500 visitors paid tribute at the Grand Village of the Kickapoo in LeRoy, Illinois. Crowded around the hay-ringed arena, participants gathered from across the Midwest to welcome over 300 Kickapoo tribal members back to Illinois at the opening ceremony of the Homecoming of the Kickapoo Nation Pow Wow and Dedication of the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park. The nation was driven west via the Treaty of Edwardsville, signed in 1819, and the Kickapoo had not resided in the state since 1832. The Grand Village at current LeRoy in central Illinois, had been the major village of the Kickapoo from 1750 to 1832, hosting 2,000-3,000 Kickapoo. At one time, the Kickapoo claimed 10 million acres of land in Illinois, nearly 3/4 of the state.
Introductions
Bill & Doris Emmett, owners of one half of the original square mile village site, introduced themselves and explained their sense of moral obligation to preserve the land and its burials. In 1991, they had purchased the first quarter of the section for their home, then purchased the second
quarter to prevent the construction of a large-scale hog confinement in 1997. Deeply committed to honoring the original inhabitants, the Emmett’s set aside one acre as the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park. As a side benefit, current Illinois law prevents factory farm construction within 1/2 mile of recreational land. Approximately one-quarter of the village site remains in danger of development, however, therefore Joseph Standing Bear, President of the Midwest SOARRING Foundation, had suggested last year that the event be held to both welcome the Kickapoo home and draw attention to the need to purchase an additional 240 acres.
History & Presentations
The Kickapoo traveled from Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Mexico to attend the festival, most of them setting foot on the land of their ancestors for the first time. The high point of the opening ceremony came with the announcement that the oldest living Kickapoo, Marguerita Salazar, had traveled from Texas to be there. At least 104 years old, Marguerita’s grandmother, Kelkowah, and her grandfather, Neepaha, had lived at the Grand Village, making Marguerita the last living link to the land.
Tribal leadership expressed surprise and satisfaction at the large turnout of both tribal members and the general public, with between 6000-7000 participants over the weekend. The Kickapoo responded to the welcome by sharing dances never before seen in public, such as the War Dance and Friendship Dance. To the thrill of all spectators, 104-year-old Marguerita led the Kickapoo-style courting dance. The male dancers honored attendants by appearing in face paint, a practice formerly reserved for private celebrations only.
Summary
The Homecoming event signifies a quantum leap in restoration for the state of Illinois and the US as a whole. In the hope of setting a precedent, Joe Standing Bear stated, "It was wonderful to see the people come back home, but this is not only for one tribe." He sees this as an example of what
other communities throughout the state and the nation can do to restore balance to a land broken by disrespect and disunity.
To expel a nation from its homeland is a grievous wrong, whether by force or treaty. To desecrate the graves left behind is to further disrupt the natural cycle of life and death, and the ongoing survival of the people. On this special weekend, reparation began in the only way possible: through the respect of one group of people for the right to life and prosperity of another.
Only a Beginning
The Kickapoo people who attended were overwhelmingly in favor of repeating the event. At a post-pow wow committee meeting, Kickapoo representatives of Oklahoma and Kansas met with the Emmett’s and Midwest SOARRING Foundation, and the date for the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Pow Wow was set for May 22 & 23, 1999. Plans for an even bigger event are underway, as the Kickapoo again renew their original connection with their homeland in Illinois.