NEWS RELEASES > JUNE 7, 2024
SCHAUMBURG, June 7, 2024 — “Summer Youth Powwow: Read, Learn, Grow” is set for Saturday, June 22 and will celebrate the Native American culture and youth leadership through literacy. The first-time event, free to the public, will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. at Trickster Cultural Center, Trickster Cultural Center, 190 South Roselle Road in Schaumburg.
The Summer Youth Powwow is presented by Trickster Cultural Center and sponsored by Follett Educational Foundation, Meet Chicago Northwest and ICJIA.
According to event organizer, Gina Roxas, executive director of Trickster Cultural Center, more than 250 people are expected to attend. “Native American Powwow is a vibrant cultural event that celebrates Native American traditions through music, dance, and social gathering,” Roxas said. “It features traditional drumming, singing, and dancing, and serves as a communal space for honoring heritage, reconnecting with community, and passing down traditions to younger generations.”
Free book bundles, featuring age-appropriate content of Native American culture, will be available free to the first 30 registrants for each of four age groups: kindergarten to second grade, third to fifth grade, sixth to eighth grade, and high school.
As part of its expanded philanthropic mission to get books into the hands of students in the Native American community, Follett Educational Foundation is funding the donation of the 120 backpacks filled with books and a journal. The Foundation partnered with McHenry-based Follett Content Solutions to curate the book bundles with all titles written by Native American authors.
The bundles include picture books for younger readers and novels for older students in a variety of genres: historical fiction, realistic fiction, mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. Title selection also includes two bilingual books – one with text in English and Ojibwa, another in English and Cherokee.
Roxas emphasized the event is designed to be “wholly inclusive and welcoming of all youths regardless of cultural background.” She added the Summer Youth Powwow marks her organization’s start of an extensive summer literacy campaign, which also will include formation of a book club and family-oriented reading activities.
Britten Follett, CEO of Follett Content and President of Follett Educational Foundation, said the event’s timing is perfect as it will encourage summer reading for youths in hopes it will become a lifelong habit.
“We are honored to be part of the inaugural Summer Youth Powwow as we know there is a strong need among families in this community and this event will be instrumental in helping build home libraries,” said Follett. “The Follett Educational Foundation has big dreams of building school libraries in tribal schools and this event is the just the start of a wider commitment.”
To register and be eligible for the book bundle giveaway, visit tricksterculturalcenter.salsalabs.org/2024-summer-youth-powwow-registration-form.
For more information about Summer Youth Powwow, visit www.tricksterculturalcenter.org/summer-youth-powwow-2024 or call (847) 301-2090.
About Follett Educational Foundation
Established in 1964, the Follett Educational Foundation has issued more than $5 million in higher education scholarships. Today, its Four Brother Scholarship program, named after Dwight, Garth, Bob and Laddie, the brothers who grew the individual divisions of Follett Corporation, awards college and trade school scholarships to deserving students at Oak Park River Forest High School and Proviso East, both in the Chicagoland area. The Foundation is expanding its philanthropic endeavors to improve literacy outcomes in communities in need, starting with Native American families.
July 14, 2026
McHenry, Ill. – July 14, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of PreK-12 literacy resources, supported Page Ahead’s 2026 Book Up Summer program, helping distribute 79,959 books to 10,220 students across 50 schools throughout Washington state.Book Up Summer is...
Read more
Follett Content Team Raises Funds for CASA of McHenry County Through Employee Bookstore
June 24, 2026
McHenry, Ill. – June 24, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of PreK-12 literacy resources, announced a $1,013 donation to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of McHenry County, generated through proceeds from employee purchases at Edythe’s Book Nook (EBN), its...
Read more
Follett Content Launches tonies + Book Bundles for Libraries
June 23, 2026
McHenry, Ill., June 23, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of content and services for public and school libraries, today announced the launch of tonies® + Book Bundles, a new offering now available for purchase by libraries.Developed in collaboration...
Read more
Follett Content Celebrates 25 Years as an ALA Library Champion at ALA Annual 2026
June 10, 2026
McHenry, Ill., June 10, 2026 – Follett Content, a trusted partner to public and school libraries nationwide, today announced its participation in the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, taking place June 25-29, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This year marks...
Read more
Follett Content Strengthens Adult Offerings for Public Libraries, Launches New Street Date Program
April 30, 2026
Follett Content, a longtime partner to libraries nationwide, today announced a deepened commitment to public library collections by expanding its adult print catalog and launching the Follett Street Date Program to help libraries to deliver high-demand titles to patrons on...
Read more
Follett Celebrates Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week with Literacy Space Giveaway
April 28, 2026
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Follett Content is recognizing educators by supporting the literacy spaces where students read, explore, and learn every day. The initiative addresses common challenges educators face, including limited time and budget to refresh classroom and library environments.
Read more