Hiawatha Week
The Hiawatha Pageant was a grand tradition while it lasted, Elgin’s community ritual par excellence. I’ve wished that we could revive it, but in an era of political correctness run amok where even the most dignified iconography is considered disrespectful and racist, there’s no chance of it.
Maestro Hanson in composing Hiawatha to celebrate this grand tradition, found himself practically apologizing to the Herald:
Hanson said that the Elgin and other similar pageants throughout the Midwest likely did not accurately portray Native American music.
Longfellow’s poem has also been criticized as not correctly interpreting Native Americans’ traditions.
But Hanson said that he was careful  both when he started the symphony in the late 1980s and now  to select the parts of Longfellow’s poems that he has researched and confirmed accurate.
“I very carefully chose parts in the poem that project the image of peace and mankind living together,� Hanson said. (Daily Herald 4/22/07)
“Peace and mankind living together”–there you have it, ladies and gentleman, this is the politically correct view of human history, in which wars or battles never happened, or if they did, they were merely accidents or natural catastrophes, no different than tornadoes or earthquakes. Presumably such a glazed view of history also dispenses with the traditional notions of valor and bravery, self-sacrifice and patriotism. But that is more than I need to say. Robert Hanson’s Hiawatha, a choral work, will debut Friday at the Hemmens
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Interesting and well put post.
I remember seeing the Hiawatha Pagent a few times as a young child, but didn’t really notice when it was no longer around.
I wish I could see the choral union’s performance.
Regarding your reference to the UIUC chief as a dignified icon, I don’t think native americans would have been offended if it was just the image of the chief being used. I belive it’s the fact that they had a kid dressed up as their spiritual leader doing acrobatics and leading the crowd at sporting events in doing the tomahawk chop and indian war cries. So if the people who we claim to be honoring actually feel insulted, then maybe we should stop it or at least listen to them on how we can do it differently if we are really trying to honor anybody.
Excuse me, Anonymous, but the “kid” performing “acrobatics,” was a highly-skilled, physically fit university student who in fact had been carefully trained in and was performing authentic American Indian dances. He did not engage in any “tomahawk chop” or “indian war cries.” The University of I— (can we still say “Illinois” or is that “offensive,” too?) made a far more dignified use of symbols drawn from our American Indian heritage than you’re likely to see at many Wisconsin casinos.
But let’s get to the real problem here -the pernicious PC idea that Americans now have to ask for licenses from “authentic” cultural or “community” leaders before they can enjoy and use the cultural bounty that enriches our country. Chief Illiniwek wasn’t some creation “honoring” so-called “Native Americans.” He was an historical figure symbolizing a great American university and of all of us - no matter what our ethnicity - who were once proud to be its graduates. No group of Americans should “own” or control Illiniwek any more than poor white Kentuckians should control whether Illinois can refer to itself as “The Land of Lincoln.” Of course, under “diversity” culture, the idea that Americans share any symbols or attitudes is itself “offensive.” Nevertheless, it was that bold and explosive idea of a democratic community building a new culture through freedom, exchange and creativity which forms America’s truly revolutionary spirit and separates us from static and controlled models of cultural purity such as those of France or China.
My genealogy is German, Irish, English, Swiss, Polish and on and on, but that’s past history. I’m an American - unhyphenated and as “native” as any Cherokee or Lakota. I like all kinds of real American food - hummous, pizza, sushi, fajitas and baklava. I can take or leave saganaki and chop suey, but it doesn’t bother me one bit if they were invented in the USA and aren’t “authentic.” I don’t need Al Sharpton’s authorization to listen to Duke Ellington, I don’t need David Duke’s approval to listen to the Carter family, and I don’t need any “Native American” telling me where to put up my Navajo weaving in my home. It is absolutely nauseating that an American artist like Bob Hanson has to get down on his knees and assure the media that he’s selected only the “accurate” parts of Longfellow’s genius. Since when has accuracy become the test of art? Do we critique “Romeo and Juliet” on the basis of the accuracy of its portrayal of 16th century Verona? Rubbish! I really feel sorry for Hanson, but at least he can now understand how Jewish artists in Germany felt when they were accused of unauthorized “mongrelization” of the pure Aryan culture of the German “Volk.” Isn’t it ironic that another common “Native American” symbol was the swastika?
Thank you so much for this blog. I saw this too when I was a child and looked forward to it each year. Too bad PC overrules telling a beautiful story. It was a very well done pageant. Do you know exactly where it was held and what is there now?
thanks again!
RK, thanks for coming by. The location was Camp Big Timber. I think it’s still owned by the Boy Scouts.
http://www.threefirescouncil.org/
Hiawatha was a wonderful pagent. I came to Elgin at age 21 and went every year I could until it ended. It is sad that “Par” had it in his will to discontinue the pagent after his death. It was a wonderful activity for all involved.
Yes, Mr. Hanson should not have to bow to political correctness. Someone needs to “brave it” and go ahead and be creative.
I was born in Elgin in 1948. As I grew up, and right through high school, the Hiawatha pageant was always something I looked forward to. I moved away to Florida in 1968. I won’t say that I miss the cold or the snow, But I sure miss the pageant. I hope someday it will be resurrected.
I played Hiaiwata in the pagent.May every spirit be blessed!Let none of as make judgement of whatever race we talk about in a negitive way–Till we have walked in the footsteps and path and know the true meaning of life! Greatest show and gathering of young and old that are now related forever! My life in boy scouts and indianlore made my days in the army;Very special protecting our countrys for you to be free! Howard Peitsch-EHS 1955!
I played Hiawatha the last 7 years of the Pageant from 1973 to 1979, several years after Howard. We had a reunion last Saturday, June 20. Former performers and staff came from many states just to see old friends, the old stage and reminisce. One former dancer came from Germany! It was a powerful time in our lives and the lives of many Elgin residents. Randy Baustert LHS 1968
The Song of Hiawatha was last performed on June 16, 1979 but in the hearts and minds of those who were able to once again meet at Camp Big Timber and remember what we helped Mr Par create proved to be a very powerful day. Seeing friends, some who may not have sat at the same table for 20 or 30 years greeted each other as only true family members are able, and began where they left of lo those many years ago. It was a wonderful day to be back together and not just in spirit, as the sun was shining, a lodge had been set, the food was great and plentiful, but it was the members of the cast and staff of the Song of Hiawatha spanning across 5 decades who gathered together and shared their memories. Thank You to all who had the ability to be back at Big Timber to celebrate the pageant and Mr Par.
Craig Hayward Song of Hiawatha member 1954 to present and EHS 1961
Donna hayward Song of Hiawatha member 1973 to present and CHS 1961
I moved to South Elgin in 1959 at age 6 with my family. I had the good fortune to have attended the Hiawatha Pageant as a young lad a number of times out at Camp Big Timber.
It was a tremendous show especially for someone so young as myself. In later years I enjoyed many a camp out at Camp Big Timber as a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout.
I can’t thank enough all the volunteers who performed in the Hiawatha Pageant and the volunteers who gave of their time in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
A special thank you to now departed Cub Scout Den Mother Florence Lake, her husband Bud Lake who was my Cub Scout leader of our pack, Joe Dusell and George Scheinder who were my Boy Scout Troop leaders.
They helped instill some darn good values in me and many others all the while having fun and making memories that will last forever.
My Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout Troop were the ones sponsored by Elgin St. Mary’s Grade School.
For any of those wondering. I am not related to the Hayward’s that have rug cleaning in Elgin. I am asked that a lot and I have not even met them in my 50 years living in the South Elgin and Elgin area.
Common Sense, Independent, Clarence Hayward
Hello, I am Dace Daly. I have been a Scout leader for the last 10 years. Recently I have taking over the maintenance and repair committee at Camp Big Timber. I was wondering if you have any old photos of the place you could share. daly66@hotmail.com
Thank you
HAS ANYONE CHECKED WITH JEANNIE WHIPPLE? SHE DANCED FOR MANY YEARS WITH PAR.