Trickster Art Gallery
190 South Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
847-301-2090
www.trickstergallery.com
Creating the Road map to: National Gathering of American Indian Veterans at Cantigny Park
Trickster Art Gallery, Inc., 501(c)(3) (TAG), established in 2005, is the only Native American owned and operated art
institution in Illinois. Located in Schaumburg, IL, TAG features contemporary Native arts, Veteran programs, library, and
research area through cultural education post 1960s. Each exhibit augments Native veterans, culture & education, art exhibits
and workshops, fatherhood programming, panel discussions, school tours, and workshops. Our mission is to increase the
visibility and impact of contemporary cultural arts and education through all arts media, music, veterans programs,
fatherhood and social justice issues to advance these programs. Our vision is to provide first voice cultural education and
awareness to the general public and schools.
American Indian Veterans and Native Hawaiians: the Untold Story: Event will take place on August 29th and 30th at
Cantigny Army First Division Museum and facility in Wheaton, IL. We need your participation and support!
It is estimated that 22% of Native Americans ages 18 and older are veterans, higher percentage than any other race of
people, supported by the Veteran Administration special report on American Indians. Past to present, there are many different
Native American languages used in military communications and during various wars. American Indians have a proud
history of honoring veterans that have served in the armed forces; cultural events are always led in by American Indian
Veterans and this land’s first flag: an “Eagle Feather Staff.” These are just a few examples of American Indian Veteran
stories that Trickster Art Gallery will be expanded upon through research and gathering of stories from American Indian
Veterans across the USA. The project will showcase Native American’s contribution to the armed forces and expand on our
current 1200 square foot permanent exhibition entitled “Wall of Honor” – a popular multimedia exhibit featuring the stories,
art and artifacts of American Indian Veterans.
American Indian Veterans from various tribal reservations and off-reservation communities across the country are invited and
will be interviewed for the creation of a documentary that tells their story in their words. The pre-event documentary will
premiere at the National Gathering of American Indian Veterans in Wheaton IL: August 29 and 30th, 2015 at the Col. Robert
McCormick Cantigny Army 1st Division Museum. The gathering will be comprised of tribal and off reservation Indian
veterans who will also share their stories, needs and participate in discussions on cultural wellness, views on healing and
spirituality, wounded warriors and outreach, and other issues relevant to American Indian veterans. Following the event, the
documentary and educational components will be reported out to Native organizations/Tribes, NCAI and Federal and
foundation to create a support process for our veterans, while connecting resources.
American Indian Veterans: The Untold Story, will utilize our cultural tradition of storytelling to bridge the past with the
present and the future by recording the stories of living American Indian Veterans. The project will include the following:
 Connecting the resources for those working so hard to support and tell the story of our Native Veterans nationally.
 30-40 minute documentary of the personal and group interviews of veterans gathered pre-event and during event
 Creating the “Road map” to National gathering of American Indian Veterans: A day of honoring and public
celebration with a goal of 200 American Indian Veterans, 400 additional veterans, 2000 from the general
public/educational institutions and invited leaders from our Tribes, urban Indian communities, the White House, the
Pentagon and military bases, followed by Sunday morning half day conference 9 am to 11 am
 Full 1.5 days of video and stories recorded during a special honoring to be used in our physical exhibit and virtually
 An electronic database where one can search for American Indian Veterans by Tribe, conflict or branch of the
service. This will start in the fall 2015 or during 2016.
 Philanthropic report of event and key points to be shared for policy change to support our men and women.
Trickster Art Gallery believes that we will bridge lost friendships and connections for the men and women who served
together both Native and all others, lived together, and witnessed the death of many of their fellow soldiers. How do you
recover from this experience culturally, where are the policies and resources to support the needs? Veteran voices will be
heard, their stories of commitment and service. Creating and sharing these stories together is the first step of healing.
Thanks to the Robert McCormick Foundation for making this possible!