03/27/2026
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The Potawatomi Trails Pow-Wow Committee respectfully submits this request for support for the Potawatomi Trails Annual Pow-Wow, to be held August 21, 22, and 23, 2026, in Zion, Illinois. We kindly request consideration for a monetary donation in your name. If financial support is not possible, we would be grateful for goods or services to contribute to our auction and/or raffle.
Monetary donations directly support the heart of our event—our dancers, MC, arena director, drummers, and our fire keeper, who tends the sacred fire around the clock, ensuring it never goes out. Funds also help cover essential expenses such as insurance requirements, transportation, hotel accommodations for traveling staff, equipment rentals (including tables, chairs, and generators), licensing requirements (such as ServSafe certification), and advertising.
We also hope to grow our event by raising enough funds to bring in larger, well-known drum groups that attract more dancers and elevate the overall experience. Many of these groups travel great distances—from northern regions or as far as the Dakotas—and often bring their families with them. It is not uncommon for a drum group to charge $5,000 or more for a weekend. When shared among a group of ten singers, this compensation reflects the time, travel, and dedication they bring. While this has not been within our reach in past years, it remains an important goal. Above all, we are committed to honoring and properly supporting those who come to share their gifts with the community.
The mission of the Committee is to bring awareness to Native American cultures within surrounding communities, strengthen the Native American community, and provide a welcoming place for Native American people of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin to gather and share their traditions. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 36-4182815). We carry forward the teachings of an elder who reminded us of the importance of showing respect to those who lived on this land before us. In that spirit, the Committee has proudly hosted the Potawatomi Trails Pow-Wow annually for the past 34 years.
Potawatomi Trails Pow-Wow Mission Statement:
• To educate about Native American cultures without the influence of outside organizations and free from political affiliation
• To locate, document, and protect historical Native American sites in and around our communities
• To preserve traditional values and teachings for the youth of our communities
Beyond the event itself, we are deeply committed to giving back. This year, A Safe Place will be present on Saturday with a booth offering resources, support, and an opportunity for donations. Their work is vital, and it is our hope to grow in our ability to support their mission in an even more meaningful way in the future.
We hope you will join us in making this year’s Potawatomi Trails Pow-Wow our most successful yet. Thank you for your time, consideration, and support.
