The weekend of July 15th, 2022 marked the 8th Annual National Gathering of American Indian Veterans in Wheaton, IL. This event welcomes all veterans, families, and members of the public, as well as visitors from across the country.
As part of the festivities, Native American veterans and other guests were invited onto the Field’s marae in a powhiri, or welcome ceremony, led by visiting Maori community members. Speakers and musicians representing several North American and Pacific Islander groups took part in the ceremony, which was attended by nearly 100 guests.
The marae continues to be a place of gathering and cultural exchange for both visitors and residents of Chicago; veterans were previously honored there as part of 2019’s D-Day Warriors exhibition, and at last year’s iteration of the National Gathering powhiri.
Photos by JP Brown