Standing Bear Council January Meeting
The Standing Bear Council will hold its January membership meeting on Sunday, January 6, at 1:00 p.m. at the Hawkeye Restaurant, 105 N. Park Drive, Keokuk. Those wishing to eat are encouraged to come at noon.
Standing Bear Council meetings are open to all people ~ Native and non-Native. Please bring one canned or dry good for storage. The Council will coordinate the Winter Gathering, scheduled for January 26-27, 2019, at the Oakley-Lindsay Center in Quincy, Illinois.
Brian Hammill and his son, Steve, will be performing both days this year! Brian is a world-class hoop dancer who is consistently ranked among the top 10 hoop dancers in the world. He was World Champion in 2009, 2011, and 2012. The Council will also address ongoing requests for programs and events in the Tri-State area.
Standing Bear Council Hosts Winter Gathering
The Standing Bear Council is hosting their Winter Gathering this weekend, January 26-27, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, at the Oakley-Lindsay Center in Quincy. Admission is $5 for people 10 and older and $3 for those over 60.
This event celebrates the return of the Bald Eagle, the “King of Birds,” and coincides with Great River Eagle Days in Quincy. It honors Native American culture through sacred ceremonies and various types of entertainment. The Black Fox Singers of Abingdon, Illinois, will accompany the American Indian dancers and the ceremonies.
Five-time World Champion Hoop Dancer, Brian Hammill, and his son, Nedallas, will perform Saturday from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. He is a member of the Ho-Chuck Nation from southern Wisconsin; Nedallas is a member of the Dine’ (Navajo) Nation and the Ho-Chuck Nation.
Brian was born and reared in Benton, Wisconsin. He earned the Eagle Scout Badge at the age of 14. After enlisting in the U.S. Army at the age of 17, he was stationed in Uijong-bu, South Korea, for approximately three years, and was asked to assist with Native American recognition events. Upon his release from Active Duty in July 1994, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona. He attended the Grand Canyon University on a full Nursing scholarship.
Brian was introduced to hoop dancing on July 10, 1994, a “turning point” in his life which has taken him all over the world and allowed him to meet and interact with many influential people.
These influences are evident in his work as a recording artist – he plays the Native American flute – who has just released his fifth CD and his third educational video and performs around the world. He has released five albums of Native American music, and is a six-time Nammy Nominee.
Brian resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where he is an officer with the Avondale Police Department, and an assistant scout leader with two troops.
Nedallas Hammill ventured into the Pow Wow arena at the age of one and has been performing since he was three. A sophomore at Boulder Creek High School, he is 15 years of age and maintains a 4.17 grade point average. Following in his father’s footsteps, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout in December 2018.
Like his father, Nedallas is a hoop dancer who competes in world championships; he has been ranked second in the world among his peers. He is a men’s fancy dancer, is learning to sing traditional songs, and plays the Native American Flute.
Native American vendors and food booths will be available both days. Authentic “Fry Bread” is on the menu! Children’s educational activities will be available.
As Standing Bear Council Treasurer, Dona Herr noted, the Council has “been able to grow our event each year with renowned performers and educational opportunities for all ages.”
The Council is a non-profit organization. For more information about the meeting and/or about Standing Bear Council’s educational programs, please call Larry Cooper at 319-795-6718, Dona Herr at 319-520-5919, or Debbie Callaghan at 217-219-1188.