The year was 1953. A vibrant pulse began to resonate through the streets of Chicago, a rhythm born from the heart of a community seeking connection and preservation. A small but determined group of American Indians organized the first American Indian Center Powwow in Chicago, a gathering that would become a cornerstone of cultural identity and resilience. The air crackled with energy as dancers moved with purpose, their feet pounding the pavement in time with the resonant beat of drums, their voices rising in songs that echoed centuries of tradition. This inaugural event, held near the bustling intersection of Kinzie and LaSalle, was more than just a celebration; it was a declaration of presence, a reaffirmation of heritage in a rapidly changing world.
The impetus for this gathering stemmed from a complex and often painful chapter in American history. The mid-20th century saw the U.S. government enacting policies that led to the systematic dismantling of tribal sovereignty and the displacement of Native American populations. Over 100 tribes were stripped of their official status, forcing many individuals and families to leave their ancestral lands throughout the Midwest and seek new lives in urban centers like Chicago. This forced migration created a sense of fragmentation and loss, as people were separated from their communities, their traditions, and their cultural anchors.
Amidst this upheaval, the American Indian Center of Chicago emerged as a beacon of hope and a vital resource for the growing urban Native American population. Founded in the same year as the first powwow, the center provided a common ground for these transplants, a place where they could reconnect with their heritage, find support, and build a sense of belonging. The powwow, sponsored by the center, became an annual tradition, a powerful symbol of unity and cultural continuity in the face of adversity.
Over the decades, both the powwow and the American Indian community in Chicago continued to flourish. The powwow outgrew its original location and found a new home at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), a testament to its increasing popularity and significance. The population of American Indians in the Chicago metropolitan area also experienced substantial growth, reaching over 31,000 individuals by the 2000 census. This burgeoning community represented a diverse tapestry of tribal affiliations, experiences, and aspirations, all united by a shared heritage and a commitment to preserving their cultural identity.
Now, envisioning the future, a new chapter in the story of the American Indian Center of Chicago was about to unfold. By early the following year, this vibrant community and its rich history would find another home, a dedicated space in the northwest suburbs designed to showcase its cultural treasures and foster greater understanding.
The American Indian Center of Chicago planned to open a museum and art gallery on February 1st, a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to promote Native American culture and heritage. The chosen location was a building in Schaumburg’s Town Square, formerly occupied by the Chicago Athenaeum, an art and architecture museum. This move represented a strategic expansion of the center’s reach, extending its services and programs beyond the city limits and into the surrounding suburban communities.
The Village of Schaumburg demonstrated its commitment to this partnership by offering the property to the American Indian Center under a favorable lease agreement of $1 per year. In exchange, the center would provide a range of educational and cultural programs for the community, including learning opportunities for area youth, a marketplace for Native American art, and engaging exhibits on American Indian culture. This mutually beneficial arrangement promised to enrich the cultural landscape of Schaumburg and provide a valuable platform for the American Indian Center to share its story with a wider audience.
Adding a touch of authenticity and community involvement, elders from a Wisconsin tribe volunteered their time and expertise to construct a traditional wigwam inside the building. This wigwam would serve as a focal point for storytelling sessions, where children could learn about Native American traditions and oral histories from knowledgeable elders. This intergenerational exchange of knowledge was seen as a vital component of the center’s educational mission, ensuring that traditional stories and values were passed down to future generations.
Joe Podlasek, the executive director of the American Indian Center of Chicago, articulated the center’s vision for the new museum and art gallery, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the diversity of Native American cultures and traditions. "We want kids to know there are hundreds of different tribes and different traditions," Podlasek explained. "We’re not just about teepees." This statement underscored the center’s commitment to presenting a nuanced and accurate portrayal of Native American life, moving beyond stereotypical representations and highlighting the unique cultural expressions of various tribal nations.
The inaugural exhibit, titled "50 Years of Powwow," promised to be a captivating journey through the history of the American Indian Center’s annual powwows. Through a carefully curated collection of photographs, the exhibit would trace the evolution of this iconic event, showcasing its growth, its significance, and its enduring appeal to the Native American community and beyond. Prior to its installation in Schaumburg, the "50 Years of Powwow" exhibit was on display at the Field Museum in Chicago, providing a sneak peek of the cultural treasures that the new museum would offer.
The decision to establish a museum and art gallery in Schaumburg was driven by several factors. The American Indian Center, based in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, had long sought a dedicated space to showcase its extensive collection of art and artifacts. The Schaumburg location offered an ideal solution, providing ample space at a reasonable cost. Furthermore, the suburban location would enable the center to expand its reach and engage with a new audience, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of Native American culture in the wider community.
The new museum and art gallery would join a growing network of American Indian cultural resources in the Chicago area, including the Schingoethe Center for Native American Culture at Aurora University. This collaborative environment would allow these institutions to share resources, expertise, and programming, further enhancing their collective impact on the cultural landscape.
Joe Podlasek expressed his enthusiasm for the project, anticipating a surge of interest from artists eager to showcase their work. "I think this will explode for us," Podlasek predicted. "There’s an overwhelming number of artists waiting for space." This anticipation reflected the vibrant artistic talent within the Native American community and the need for greater opportunities to exhibit and celebrate their creative expressions.
The American Indian Center of Chicago was poised to take possession of the Schaumburg property, setting the stage for the realization of this ambitious project. The opening of the museum and art gallery would mark a significant milestone in the center’s history, providing a permanent home for its cultural treasures and a dynamic platform for engaging with the community. The center’s commitment to education, cultural preservation, and community outreach promised to make the new museum and art gallery a valuable asset to the Chicago area and a beacon of cultural pride for the Native American community.