Meskwaki Nation Proclamation Day

On May 27, 1992 the Tribal Council passed a resolution marking the date of July 13th as an
official Meskwaki National Holiday …

Whereas, the Mesquaki Nation of Iowa were the only Indian Tribe to purchase land in Iowa
for the establishment of the Mesquaki Indian Settlement on July 13, 1857, and
Whereas, the Mesquaki Nation of Iowa is forever grateful for the foresight and spirit that
the tribal leaders who purchased the original lands had for the future of the Mesquaki
Nation, and

Whereas, the Mesquaki Nation of Iowa shall always recognize the significant contribution
of the original founders and families of the Mesquaki Indian Settlement, and
Whereas, the Mesquaki Nation of Iowa has been and will be able to thrive on their original
homelands comprising the Mesquaki Indian Settlement due to the original founders and
families who purchased the land, and

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tribal Council of the Mesquaki Nation of Iowa hereby proclaim
the date of July 13, 1857 as a significant date in the Tribe’s history and the Mesquaki Nation
will always honor the significant contribution the original founders and families made for
the tribe by declaring this date a Meskwaki National Holiday from this date forward, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Tribal Chairman and the Tribal Secretary are hereby
authorized to sign this proclamation.

CERTIFICATION
We do hereby certify that the foregoing proclamation was duly presented and acted upon
by a vote of 4 for and 0 against, at a regular meeting of the Mesquaki Tribal Council, a
quorum being present, and held on May 27, 1992, at the Mesquaki Indian Settlement, Tama,
Iowa

Signed
Keith C. Davenport, Tribal Chairman
Harvey Davenport, Jr., Tribal Secretary

What we celebrate today is the end result of a policy that was begun by our People to have a
home in order to grow crops, raise children and practice our own Meskwaki religion without
interference. We honor our grandfathers and grandmothers who came here, fought to stay,
and endured the deprivations that now, more than a century later, seem far away. The annual
celebration on July 13th provides the Tribe, its friends, and surrounding community a chance
to reflect on this great shared history and an opportunity to communicate our values and
pride to the children.