Caption:Upper Left - a special T-shirt made for the Indian Electric Band which played with "Redbone's" Pat Vegas
Right - Fond du Lac Women’s Hand Drum Group
Music, food and good discussion highlighted the Free Democracy Summit on Friday, April 13 through Sunday, April 15.
The College of St. Scholastica Indigenous Student Alliance kicked-off the event in the afternoon at Mitchell Auditorium with performances by the Anishinabe Youth Chorus and the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School Drum Group. Evening performances included a Native American feast and pipe ceremony followed by the Fond du Lac Women’s Hand Drum Group and a performance by Pat Vegas from “Redbone” and the Indian Electric Band. The last event of the day was John Trudell and Quiltman.
During the encore Vegas played his hit “Come and Get Your Love,” which caused the audience to spring from their seats and dance in front of the stage.
Vern “Wiggi” Zacher of Fond du Lac was one of the members of the audience to dance. Zacher said dancing live to Vegas’ hit was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Referring to his youth as the “days of vinyl,” he said, “We danced to him many moons back.”
the visor. He said he has worn the cap at every performance since 1975. Vegas is of Yaqui and Shoshone ancestry and works as a music producer. He currently lives in North Hollywood, CA.
Panel discussions and artwork
Panel discussions and artwork took place on Saturday and Sunday at the Harbor City International School. Titles of discussions included: Global Warming Solutions, Exporting Capitalism: Trickle Down Economics and the Race to the Bottom, Housing, Healthcare, A Living Wage and Moving Your Way Out of Poverty. Events on Sunday included a worship service, more workshops and panel discussion and a presentation by former Minnesota Senator Becky Lourey. Music from locals bands like “Trampled by Turtles” performed at area clubs.
Art of Peace events took place in conjunction with the Free Democracy Summit and included public participation in making a banner and contributing to a Labyrinth.
