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How Our Council Started
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The Indianapolis School system in 1975 was attempting to locate all Native American Indian people with children in the IPS district in order to help the children learn more about their Native American Indian culture. The first meeting was held and three families attended. These three families were Johnson (Ottawa), Falcon (Chippewa) and Malaterre (Chippewa). These three families were soon joined by other Native American Indian people who were not necessarily IPS district. This group of Native American Indian people formed the American Indian Council of Indianapolis, Inc. in 1976. The name was later changed to the American Indian Council Inc., as it is today.
Durning the first few years a Center was located in Indianapolis. The regular monthly meetings were held at the Center, regular craft session's for both children and adults were held, and Native American Indian ways were taught.
The very first Pow Wow was held in the fall of 1977 at Military Park in Indianapolis. When the Longest Walk came through Indiana in 1978 in route to Washington D.C. members helped the people on the walk with food and clothing, and several mebers joined this walk. Again in 1980 the second walk to Washington D.C. came through Indiana, and again members and friends of the Council assisted in the needs of the people Walking for Indian Rights.
The Western Shoshone passed through Indiana in 1985 traveling to Washington D.C. going to the Supreme Court. Council memebers and friends provided food and lodging for the 28 or so Shosone people in this trip. On the return trip to Nevada the Western Shoshone stopped and danced, sang and had meals with members and friends of the Council. The Council again provided food and lodging on their return trip through Indiana.
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History of Our Pow Wow's
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After the first Pow Wow in 1977, the Council did not have another until 1983. The Pow Wow was held in 1983 and 1984 in Indianapolis, Indiana at Eagle Creek Park. The Pow Wow was relocated in 1985 to the Boone County 4-H Grounds in Lebanon, Indiana. This event is always held the third full weekend in August and is located at the Boone County 4-H Grounds, Lebanon, Indiana. During 1992 and 1993 the first two spring Pow Wows were held at the UAW 933 in Indianapolis. The spring Pow Wow was moved in 1994 and continues to be held each year in late April at the Boone County 4-H Community Building in Lebanon, Indiana.
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LeRoy & Nancy
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LeRoy and Nancy Malaterre-December 1999
photo by: Lorraine Phelps
LeRoy is very dedicated to his Native American family and to the American Indian Council, Inc. He has served as Chairman and Co-Chairman for many years and now serves as Chairman Ereritus and Co-Chairman. He has served as the emcee for the American Indian Council Inc. Pow Wow and for many other Pow Wow's throughout the Midwest. He has also served as Head Dancer and Head Veteran Dancer. LeRoy refers to himself as a Cultural Narrator and the King of the Badlands.
Nancy, who passed in September 2000, was very dedicated to her Native American heritage. She served as Council Secretary and Pow Wow Coordinator for many years. She was an extremely creative person, and was always willing to share her expertise in craftwork. Many have learned to make Gods Eyes, dream catchers, beadwork of all types and other crafts under her guidance. She is greatly missed.
LeRoy and Nancy were married on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. They have 3 children and 5 grandchilden.
With the help of LeRoy we are doing our best to continue having a Pow Wow that everyone can look forward to and enjoy just like the one that LeRoy and Nancy started 25 years ago.
We love you LeRoy and Nancy!
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