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Story Subject Category: Native Americana
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Starved Rock State Park is located just south of Utica, Ill. Its 18 canyons were formed by melting waters from glaciers. The erosion created spectacular rock formations in the surrounding sandstone bluffs. Producer Brian Paris and videographer Virginia Steffen visited the park to see for themselves what makes Starved Rock so special.
Segment duration: 8:00
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Producer: Steve Drake and Brian Paris
Editor: Steve Drake and Tristan Riddell
This segment is filed in these categories: Environment • Historical Landmarks • Illinois Culture/History • Native Americana • Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Travel • Utica
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The Cahokia Mounds story grabbed my interest immediately because I had never heard that there was once a prosperous Native American city in the Americas. Growing up, the TV shows and movies I had seen always portrayed Native Americans as loose collections of people who were constantly on the move. I had never considered that the ancient residents of America had built long-standing, sedentary communities with complex social structures, sprawling community squares, and ceremonial earthen mounds.
Once we arrived in Cahokia for the video shoot, I was shocked to see that the highway ran right through the middle of this historic site. I was also saddened to learn that many of the mounds in the area have been leveled because of farming, construction, or landscaping efforts over the decades. I’m glad that the site is now recognized for its cultural importance and hope that continued research at the site helps increase the general public’s understanding and appreciation for this unique bit of America’s past. The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site has a great Web site (http://www.cahokiamounds.com) detailing the history of this ancient city in the middle of Illinois.
Segment duration: 02:56
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Ethnicity/Culture • Historical Landmarks • History • Landscape • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Native Americana • Parks/Outdoor Recreation
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I became interested in doing a story on Midwest SOARRING Foundation in June of 2005, well before I started working for WILL. I attended a Pow-Wow of theirs in Le Roy, and was very moved by the event. At that time, I met Joseph Standing Bear Schranz (President and Founder), who told me about the work of SOARRING. I was really impressed by not only the organization’s very open and welcoming attitude, but also their innovative ways of working for changes. I decided than I wanted to tell their story some day; I just had to find the means.
I started at WILL in January of 2006, and soon realized that Prairie Fire would be the perfect way to tell this kind of story.
Segment duration: 06:34
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Producer: Virginia Steffen
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Ethnicity/Culture • Illinois Culture/History • Native Americana
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Prairie Fire heads to Danvers, west of Bloomington, for a visit with artist D. Bill, who carves “totem” poles out of discarded utility poles. Bill’s brightly painted poles are collected by art dealers in Chicago, but he says he doesn’t see his creations as money-makers. He just likes to have “something to do in the winter.” Bill says he can’t keep up with the demand for his poles.
Segment duration: 07:32
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Illinois Culture/History • Native Americana
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Natalie Belting, U of I associate professor of history emerita, tells viewers about the history of Native Americans in central Illinois. Belting describes how Native Americans lived and worked before coming in contact with Europeans.
Segment duration: 08:44
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: History • Illinois Culture/History • Native Americana
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