On Sunday, June 28th The Iowa’s Scenic Byways present their final “Iowa’s America 250 Scenic Byways Road Trip” with a ride on the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway to the Meskwaki Nation.
The presentation shines a light on how Iowa history is defined by its connections to the Meskwaki Nation. Researchers Kathy Gourley, Cindy Nagel and Johnathan Buffalo team up to present the interesting picture of events that have tied the Meskwaki Nation and the State of Iowa together for nearly two centuries.
• Kathy Gourley (retired State Historical Society of Iowa) presented on Meskwaki history from the 1830s and 1840s. This time brought about some remarkable change for the Meskwaki Nation and Gourley provided details of historical events that would shape the Meskwaki and the State of Iowa for decades.
• Cindy Nagel of Tallgrass Archaeology presented on Meskwaki archaeology from the early 1840s. Nagel’s research focuses on the Wacoshashe and Poweshiek village that was located in Iowa County. Attendees got a glimpse of what life was like for Meskwaki people across this dynamic period.
• Johnathan Buffalo has served as the historic preservation director for the Meskwaki Nation since 1996. His career and research have shaped historians both in Iowa and beyond.
This presentation reviewed some major aspects of Meskwaki history and highlight some unique elements of Iowa as seen through the Meskwaki experience.
Thank you to everyone in attendance who was interested in learning more about Meskwaki history.
The event was livestreamed and can be found at the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/-Rj08cJbuVY?si=DoVbgYw7jCFSirUf