CULTURE: THOUSANDS MAY GATHER FOR 'TECUMSEH'S DREAM'

As many as 50,000 Native Americans may gather in the Shawnee National Forest next fall.

Planners for "Tecumseh's Dream -- An Historic Event" have requested permission to conduct a four-day meeting in a 700-acre area of the 277,000-acre forest in Southern Illinois.

Shawnee officials hope to have a decision regarding the request in January, said John Taylor, a Shawnee forester who works with special-use permits for the forest.

The Shawnee Forest was chosen because of its central location in the continental United States, and because Tecumseh was a member of the Shawnee tribe.

"This would be one of the largest gatherings ever in the forest," said Taylor.

The event is scheduled for Oct. 11-14, 2001.

"This is something I would be interesting in attending," said Mike Seabaugh of Cape Girardeau, a member of the Northern Nations Cherokee group.

Public comments

Part of the approval process involves public comments concerning the proposal, Taylor said.

"We've received many comments," said Taylor. "And although the official comment period is over, we'll still accept them this week."

Most of the comments have been positive, he said.

Dave Davis of Sikeston, also a member of the Northern Cherokee Nations, said he would attend the session.

Sue Paxton, a member of the West Cherokee Nations, is looking for more information concerning the meeting. "My great-great grandmother walked the Trail of Tears," she said.

Some have expressed concern about the number of people and what 50,000 people over four days would to the environment. Some were concerned about traffic.

Organizers of the event emphasize that Tecumseh's Dream is not open to tourists. There will be no vendors, no formal dances.

Taylor said organizers, including leaders from the Ute tribe in Colorado and the Cherokee tribe in Alabama, toured several potential sites in the Shawnee National Forest a few weeks ago.

"They favor the Lake of Egypt Recreation area," said Taylor. Located at the south end of Lake of Egypt, the recreation areas are relatively isolated and seldom used.

"Our facilities aren't designed to handle 50,000 people at one time," Taylor said. "They'll have to bring in portable toilets and tanks of drinking water. And I don't know what we're going to do about parking."

Items for discussion

The focus of the gathering is to discuss matters that affect Native Americans.

One of the topics is how to achieve economic independence for all Native Americans.

Other discussions will address historical inaccuracies in current textbooks; the possibility of establishing a national holiday to honor Native American leaders, both past and present; civil and constitutional rights of Native Americans; and pros and cons of various forms of tribal governments.

"It's not a commercial event," Taylor said.

In recent years, Southern Illinois has played host to a number of Native American events which charge admission for visitors to view costumed dancers and eat Native American food.

Tecumseh's dream

"Tecumseh was a visionary," said Seabaugh. "He predicted the New Madrid earthquake several years before it occurred."

Tecumseh made his earthquake prophecy Aug. 11, 1802. His prediction:

"The earth will tremble and roar for a long time. Great trees will fall, although the air will be windless. Streams will change their courses to run backwards and lakes will be swallowed in the earth."

According to the organizers' Web page, the event was will be the fulfillment of "Tecumseh's Dream" to establish an alliance of 50,000 Indians of different tribes.

"It is time to make that dream come true," said a spokesman, who wants to remain anonymous until a location has been established.