Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, a leading Native American activist and President of the Midwest SOARRING Foundation, will share his journey of cultural rediscovery, activism, and advocacy. His talk will explore Midwest SOARRING’s ongoing work to repatriate Native remains, protect sacred sites, and revitalize Indigenous traditions, emphasizing the importance of honoring Native heritage and preserving ancestral connections to the land.

Based in Lockport, the Midwest SOARRING Foundation operates a Cultural Center and leads regional initiatives promoting Indigenous heritage, education, and environmental stewardship, including the annual Harvest Pow Wow, one of the Midwest’s largest intertribal gatherings.

Currently, the organization is working to establish the Native American Cultural & Environmental Center at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn. This ambitious project will restore the historic McKee House into a vibrant cultural center featuring a museum, library, longhouse, and sacred plant gardens, all dedicated to celebrating Native history, traditions, and the enduring bond between people and the land. Learn more at fundthecenter.org.

This is a free event. Registration encouraged to gauge audience size. Register here.