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Through the eyes of an Indian

Posted June 03, 2016 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

PRAIRIE DU ROCHER - There is one segment of the reenacted 18th century population of the Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres that is decidedly low-key compared to the flashy regiments marching about the parade grounds.

Brian Guy portrays an Native American of the Wyandot people, who were dispersed from the Great Lakes through Illinois and into Kansas Indian Territory by the 1840s thanks to United States federal policy of forced Indian removal.

Guy noted that early French explorers referred to the Wyandot as "Hure," from the French word meaning "boar's head." French sailors thought that the hairstyle of the Wyandot warriors resembled the bristly hair of a boar.

The French also used the derogatory term "Huron" to describe the Wyandot, from the French word for "ruffian."

"The living history part of it," Guy said on what he enjoys about participating in the Rendezvous. "It's like taking a step back in time for a weekend.

"Actually, I've been here since Tuesday, so for a week."

Guy is in his 23rd year of being a participant in the Rendezvous, which is celebrating its 46th year this year. The two-day event is the largest Rendezvous in the Midwest.

"Just the people," Guy said on what he looks forward to every year. "There's a lot of people here that are like family and I only see them a few times a year at events.

"But I always look forward to seeing them and every time I see them, it's like I just saw them yesterday. It's a family get-together."

As someone who has been a part of the event for half of its existence in Prairie du Rocher, Guy was asked his favorite moments.

"A lot of the mock battles we've had down here," he said. "There's always something funny going on. And the nightlife when the tourists are gone, usually there's a lot of funny things going on."

A resident of Farmersville, Ill., about a two-hour drive from the fort, Guy told the Herald Tribune how he became involved in Rendezvous.

"A friend of my sister, her father was big into this," Guy said. "And my sister went with her friend several times and I was really interested in it and they invited me along.

"Well, my sister and her friend outgrew it and (her friend's father) had nobody to go with because he was divorced at the time and was like 'Would you still like to go?' and I'm like 'Sure.'"

Eventually, Guy talked his own father into coming to the Rendezvous 11 years ago and the rest, as the cliche goes, is history.

"I'll be doing this until I can't do it anymore," Guy said. "I'm sure."

Getting into character is an extensive process for Guy, with the face paint being the most difficult.

"I get up, eat something, start painting up and get on my way," Guy said. "I do it as quickly and as simply as I can."

The Rendezvous features 1700s military units, traditional craft demonstrations, period music and dancing, black powder shooting events and cannon firings - all from the time when France controlled what is now Illinois.

"I always make a point to do this one every year," Guy said. "Sometimes I can't do a lot of the other ones, but I always make it a point to come to this one."

The Rendezvous continues Sunday. Here is the schedule of events and activities:

8:00A - Mass (Stage) Protestant Service (Food Court)

10:00A - Opening Ceremony and Posting of Colours w/ Malcolm Duncan, Drum Major

10:00 - Noon - Primitive Archery Competition (West of food court)

10:30 - The Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps St. Charles, Missouri (Parade ground)

11:00 - French Marine Drill (Parade ground)

11:30 - Great River Fife and Drum Corps Godfrey, Illinois (Parade ground)

12:00 - The Booneslick Strings (Stage)

12:00P-2:30 - Knife and Hawk Throw, open to the public (West of food court)

12:00P-2:30 - Skillet Toss, open to the public west of the Food Court

1:45 - Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps Lafayette, Indiana (Parade ground)

2:30 - Dr. Theophrates von Gelach (Stage)

3:00 - 42nd Royal Highlanders Band of Pipes, Fifes, & Drums Lafayette, Indiana (Parade ground)

3:30 - Prairie du Rocher La Guiannee Society (Stage)

3:45 - 18th Century Fashion Show hosted by Becky McClelland and Ted Mueller (Stage)

5:00 - Retreat Ceremony

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