The rhythm of the drums, singing and chanting flowed out of the oak woods of Shiloh Park on Sunday during the 17th annual Potawatomi Trails Pow-wow.

Drummers were set up in the middle of a circle of oaks, trees that are considered sacred by American Indians, to repeat a ceremony that Potawatomi tribes created hundreds of years ago. Dancers then circled the drummers in several dances that honored their past and present, including a special flag tribute to veterans.

"I just enjoy coming down here," said Gary Lloyd, a member of American Legion Post 65 and a veteran of the Vietnam War who participated in the tribute to veterans. Lloyd is part Cherokee.

"Indians appreciate the veterans that have served our country," he said.

Lloyd also enjoys the camaraderie of the event.

"I like the oneness you feel coming here. They are very loving people," he said.

One of the elders, Bill Daniels Jr., of Forest County, Wis., said a prayer after the "grand entry of dancers."

"We're here gathered to do what we used to do years ago," Daniels said. He warned people about living their lives correctly through a story about an eagle whose feathers fell off.

"The reason your feathers are falling off is maybe you are not carrying your life right. We have to stay close to what they told us, the elders," he said. "We pray to all the spirits for strength," he said.

Shawn Krueger, 16, of Zion learned of his ancestry from his father six years ago. Krueger is part Cherokee, Choctaw and Metis, plus French and German. He carried a bow and was dressed in animal skins.

"I just like meeting new people and seeing my heritage gather in a group and have fun," he said.

Steve King of Oneida, Wis., was the head dancer and has been to all the pow-wows in Zion.

"This is a good pow-wow because people come for fun," said, saying it was a social dance and very different than competitions.

His costume, including long, flowing fringes of yarn, helps tell the story of a crippled young man who wants to get up to dance. He crawled into the tall grass and began stuffing grass everywhere as he tried to get up, and finally succeeded.

"It shows the creator's healing success because of their faith," said Bill Brown, organizer of the event.

Irene Bedard, an actress and singer whose voice and likeness were in Disney's successful "Pocahontas," cancelled her scheduled appearance because of family matters. Thirza Defoe of Milwaukee, a hoop dancer, took her place.

Marilyn Princing of Gurnee attended with her husband, Bob, who carried a flag in the ceremony because she has trouble walking. She is part Cherokee and tries to keep awareness of American Indians alive through her position as chairman of the American Indian Committee of the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

"It means a lot," she said of her heritage.

She writes about American Indians for the group's newsletter and discusses the different tribes at every meeting.

Food at the pow-wow included buffalo burgers on fry bread, and booths presented crafts, art and other items. One historical display showed various tools used by the tribes, such as buffalo horn combs, spoons and even a small tobacco box with a brass hinge. Tobacco is used in many sacred ceremonies as an offering to the spirits.

Lake County News Sun