Native American Celebration of Spring

The Great Hall of Starved Rock Lodge will be the setting for an afternoon of Native American ceremonies led by Gerald “Chief White Winnebago” Savage. The three-part ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. This event is free and the public is invited. Donations will be gratefully accepted. A Grand Entry will be followed by a naming ceremony for the niece of Gerald Savage. The last time a ceremony like this took place at the Lodge was in the mid-1950’s when Aurelia “Weha” Sine was named. A smudging ceremony will be done in honor of the Spring Equinox. This will be followed by tribute to Sam “Chief Walks with the Wind” Sine of the Ho Chunk Nation by the Chief’s grandson, Gerald “White Winnebago” Savage (Ho Chunk Ska Gah). Members of the Sine family will share stories about Native American history and the many contributions made by their elder Chief Walks with the Wind. The event will end with a closing dance. Jerry Savage grew up performing American Indian dances at Starved Rock Lodge with his grandfather and other family members. Sam and Ruth Sine first came to Starved Rock State Park in 1935 to share stories and programs at the Lodge and continued for nearly 50 years. The Sine family also ran an archery range and souvenir stand in the park.