Head Staff Bios
John Richmond, Head Man Dancer
Penny Richmond, Head Woman Dancer
John was born in Clinton, Iowa, he is part Cherokee and was adopted by the, Mesquaki Tribe. He started dancing when he was very young, first he was a 'Fancy Dancer' and then began to do the 'Traditional' style. Penny was born in Chicago, Illinois and was told of her Native American heritage by her parents and she is glad they told her. Her Grandmother was a full blood Sax Indian, both grandparents had Native American blood. They are both High School Graduates and Penny attended College and received a Bachelors Degree. The couple now reside in Fulton, Illinois. Our committee is happy to have them as our Head Man and Head Lady Dancers.
Daniel J. Hawk Hoffman Sr.
Powwow Elder and Spiritual Leader
Hawk, as everyone knows him, has been involved in public talks for the school children for over twenty-seven years. He is a retired Deputy Sheriff with over 40 years of service to the people of Sangamon County Illinois and has received many awards from the department. Hawk is an Author,Orator and a Diplomat. He serves as the executive Secretary for The Taylorville Black Horse Powwow, Inc. He is an enrolled member of the Echota Cherokee Indian Tribe of Alabama and is a member of the Tribal Council for The Southern Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, he is an honored member of The Manataka American Indian Council where he serves as Membership Coordinator.
Zach 'Yellow Shirt' Kehler, 2009 Arena Director
Zach 'Yellow Shirt' Kehler was born in Iowa City, Iowa, he was adopted by, Alfred Red Cloud, is of Oglala descent and a member of The Spotted Eagle Clan at Pine Ridge South Dakota. He attended College in Wichita, Kansas. He now resides in Davenport, Iowa. He is a US Army Veteran and has been involved in many Powwow's. We are happy to have 'Yellow Shirt' as our Emcee for the 2008 Powwow.
Fred Black Horse Dubay.
Black Horse Powwow Chairman:
Fred is a direct descendant of, Black Horse, a great medicine man for Chief Black Snake of the Kiowa tribe. He is the President of The Taylorville Black Horse Powwow, Inc. and a business owner in Taylorville, Illinois. He has been involved in the Native American ways for many years. He is the type of person who would go to the aid of anyone in need. He is a member of AIM (American Indian Movement) and an enrolled member of the Kiowa Nation.
2009 Emcee
David Wahyahneetah-Welch
David is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. His heritage includes Cherokee, Mohawk and Catawba. He has been involved in Inter-tribal Powwows his entire life. Currently retired after 20 years in the United States Air Force, he served combat tours in Operation Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. David is an active member of The American Indian Veterans of Colorado and serves the War Chief for the Colorado Strong Heart Society. He has been a Culture Educator for over 25 years, bridging the historical and cultural gap on the American Indian for students nationwide. We are very proud to have such an honored person as our 2009 Taylorville Black Horse Powwow Emcee.
2009 Head Gourd Dancer
Thomas Threefeathes
The Spirit Of The Rainbow, Invited Drum
They are a contest winning Northern Plains group.
A hard working group under the leadership of Waylon McCamy. They have been together for more then 15 years and have made many friends on the Powwow road. The Taylorville Black Horse Powwow is proud to have them again as Invited Drum for 2009.
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