About Seven Circles Heritage Center

Seven Circles Heritage Center is located in Edwards, IL and had its beginnings fourteen plus years ago.

A small group of people with Native American heritage decided to volunteer their energies toward the goal of promoting Native American culture – dance, arts, and cultural values - for the purpose of educating the broader community, and providing a forum for Native peoples and other interested persons to share knowledge, learn traditions, and art forms, and form community. Many traditions and cultures have been included.

Through the generosity of Bill and Hazel Rutherford and the Forest Park Foundation a 23-acre land site has been provided for our center.

The center helps gather our community and is a place where all people can come to learn and appreciate our indigenous heritage.

If you would like to support Seven Circles through your tax deductible donation contact one of our staff members by visiting our contact page.

Seven Circles Heritage Foundation - About Our Organization

These are the current projects and programs that Seven Circles Heritage Foundation is developing and expanding.

Projects and Programs

Academic Outreach – immersion classes for university students and professionals in health, education, music and anthropology
Central Illinois Gourd Dance Club – bringing the tradition of the Kiowa/Comanche Gourd dance to our area
Gathering of Veterans Pow Wow – held at the center to honor the protectors of our way of life
Generation-to-Generation – a cultural preservation project which includes documentation of local stories
Interfaith dialogues and ceremonies – including participation of Hindu Heritage Center , Buddhist Zen, Native American Christian, and Muslim communities
Northern Style Drum Class – led by Waylon and Butch McCamy from Spirit of the Rainbow Singers
Red Path Murals – community based mural project depicting an artistic interpretation of native history and spirituality
Stepping Stones – support groups, founded in Native American healing concepts, assisting persons in their emotional and spiritual journeys
Thunder in the Valley – multi-cultural drumming and rhythm festival
Youth Group – fun and learning for the youth of our community
Cultural Classes – exploration of the art, music, language and medicine of many traditions

And numerous land site renovation and landscape projects.

Seven Circles Heritage Center - A gathering place for all cultures
Various groups besides the Native Americans have presented workshops and used the facilities. University students and faculty from Bradley University , Sangamon University , Illinois Wesleyan University, and Northwestern Pre Med have come to explore the healing traditions, art, music, philosophy, religious and spiritual perspectives of indigenous cultures. Recently over 120 German students and their host families came to have an up close experience of Native American culture. This center will also be an asset to school age children.

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