NATIVE AMERICAN BLESSING CEREMONY HELD SATURDAY OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER GROUNDS

                          "Spirit of the Rainbow" drum Saturday at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria


Photos by William Furry


Native American Blessing Ceremony of the Illinois River Grounds was held Saturday at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria. Christal Dagit, President of the Tazewell County Museum and Education Center now has another title, Regional Director of the War of 1812 Commission. Christal played a vital role in securing a major statewide symposium, the first planned to commemorate the events 200th Anniversary in Tazewell County next year. The 2012 symposium, sponsored by the Illinois State Historical Society, will take place April 26-28, in 2012.

          Tazewell County Museum President Christal Dagit holds a clam shell that was presented to her at the Native American Blessing Ceremony Saturday at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria

       
      East Peoria Dave Mingus welcomes the participants and the blessing of the East Peoria River Bank  Saturday at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria