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5th National Gathering of American Indian Veterans
The National Gathering of American Indian Veterans is a yearly event held in the summer at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois. This three day event (July 26th – 28th, 2019) honors veterans and military personnel of all cultures, eras, and branches in a Native way. Come to participate in special panels lead by veterans and veterans service providers on topics ranging from traditional health and wellness, working with the VA, jobs and economic development for veterans after service, and more. Watch entertaining performances from cultural groups and participate in powwow-style dancing with our veterans. Purchase art and other items from veteran artists and other traditional vendors. This event is free and open to the public, and anyone who would like to join us in honoring all those in the United States military.
Reminder: veterans eat free at the event! If you are a veteran, it is important to register so that we have an accurate count of attendees.
Friday, July 26th:Welcome dinner for veterans and their families, hosted on Cantigny grounds
- 4:30pm-5pm: Guests arrive
- 5pm: Opening prayer by Pokagon Elder, welcome by Trickster representatives
- 5:10pm: Food lines open and Iron Bear drum play the branches of service songs
- 6pm: Panel discussion from Native leadership in DC
- 6:45pm: Panel discussion from Native leaders in the community; Head Veterans are chosen from younger veterans
- 7:30pm: Talking circle lead by Angel Salas
- 8pm: Closing prayer
Saturday, July 27th
- 6:30am-7am: Breakfast at the hotel at a discounted rate ($10); WWII and Korean veterans eat free
- 7:30am: Shuttle from the hotel to Cantigny Park
- 8am: Sunrise ceremony at Cantigny Park
- 8:45am: Line up for Grand Entry
- 9am: Grand Entry and National Anthem by Jim Conelison
- 9:30am: Prayer by Elder veteran; welcome by emcee Mark Denning
- 10am: Women Eagle Staff Carriers workshop
- 11am: Short break
- 11:15am: Workshop on Head Veteran Roles and Responsibilities
- 12:15am: Lunch (provided free for registered veterans and their spouses)
- 1:30pm: Workshop on ANA “They All Talk To Each Other” cross-generational program
- 2pm: Pinning of Vietnam veterans by the Commemorative Committee from DC
- 3pm: Stories from 75th Anniversary of D-Day delegation
- 3:30pm Maori dancers perform
- 4pm: Aztec dacners perform
- 5pm: Dinner(provided free for registered veterans and their spouses)
- 6:15pm: Taps is played
- 6:30pm: Closing and invite bck to hotel for nighttime concert
- 8pm-11:45pm: Concert at hotel
Sunday, July 28th
- 7:30am: Breakfast at Cantigny grounds (provided free for registered veterans and their spouses)
- 8am: Sunrise ceremony
- 9am: Grand Entry
- 10am: Women of Worth Workshop
- 11:15am: Open discussion
- 11:30pm: Closing and retiring of the colors
- 11:45pm: Invite back to Trickster Gallery for lunch and blues concert after party
Accommodations: Rates are reduced at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle Naperville for veterans as well as guests this year at $89 a night, plus tax. A special breakfast buffet rate is available for veterans at $10, and all WWII and Korean veterans eat free. Book at this link with the code CIV: http://group.doubletree.com/AmericanIndianVeterans
