Black Hawk Performance Company

Description

The Black Hawk Performance Company seeks to honor the ground we dance on, Mother Earth and  the many tribes who have made Illinois their home. Many tribes like the Ojibwe have been here for thousands of years. The most famous American Indian leader of historic times was the great Sauk Chief Black Hawk. His name comes from the great black hawks that we see all over the state. We honor both his name and our brother the hawk when we say these words. The performance company has performed for thousands of Illinois children and families since it was founded in the 1984, by the incredible Zuni/Isleta singer, dancer and award winning artist, the late Carlos Peynetsa. Today his daughter, an original member of the dance company, and our ambassador, Kelly Summers carries on his legacy.  It is sponsored by the American Indian Association of Illinois, in Chicago.. The artistic director is Dr. Dorene Wiese, White Wing Woman, who is an enrolled Ojibwe in the Minnesota Chippewa tribe. For more information, please email [email protected].

Work Sample

This video presents the Black Hawk Performance Company at a natiional conference in 2011 at the University of Chicago. Dorene Wiese is speaking and explaining the dances and songs to the audience. Most of these dancers are still with the company along with their children and grandchildren.

Black Hawk Performance Company in  St. Charles, 2014. About 1 minute in length.

This video is 1.25 minutes long and shows the Black Hawk Performance Company in Oregon Illinois with audience participation in the dancing. 2016

It demonstrates the many venues American Indian dance can take place in within and outside of classrooms.

History

The Black Hawk Performance Company seeks to honor the ground we dance on, Mother Earth and  the many tribes who have made Illinois their home. Many tribes like the Ojibwe have been here for thousands of years. The most famous American Indian leader of historic times was the great Chief Black Hawk. His name comes from the great black hawks that we see all over the state. We honor both his name and our brother the hawk when we say these words. The performance company has performed for thousands of Illinois children and families since it was founded in the 1984, by the incredible Zuni/Isleta singer, dancer and award winning artist, the late Carlos Peynetsa. Today his daughter, an original member of the dance company, and our ambassador, Kelly Summers carries on his legacy. It is sponsored by the American Indian Association of Illinois, in Chicago.. The artistic director is Dr. Dorene Wiese, White Wing Woman, who is an enrolled Ojibwe in the Minnesota Chippewa tribe. For more information, please email [email protected]. 

Artistic Vision

To inspire an excitement in learning about American Indian people through music and dance.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

The Black Hawk Performance Company loves to perform for children, youth and senior citizens. The company features dancers from these ages, as well as adults.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

American Indian dance is the oldest form of dance in America. For thousands of years hundreds of  tribal nations  developed and shared their music and dance with each other and others who came to this continent. We continue that legacy by sharing the oldest traditions of our Nation.