The Meskwaki Tribal Council and MBCH Executive Management met today, Monday, March 16, 2020 and have jointly agreed to the temporary closure of our casino and hotel, effective Tuesday, March 17 at 12 am through the end of June. A tentative re-opening date has been set for July 1st. This closure serves as a preventive measure to ensure the health and well-being of both our team and guests is preserved and protected as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues.
MBCH Executive Management remains unified in the protection of our guests, team members and their families, tribal and local communities, as well as the numerous vendors we utilize in our operations.
Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel will honor all employees’ base pay rates and their benefits during this temporary closure.
It is important to note that our casino has not experienced any cases of COVID-19 and this action is solely a precaution to protect the health and safety of our guests, team members, and community. That said, we will be conducting multiple facility-wide sanitization projects throughout the closure.
Our thoughts are with the families and communities that have been impacted by this virus.
Be smart, be safe, take care of one another, and let’s all do our part to protect our community and those we love most.
Meskwaki Settlement, Tama, Iowa – Out of an abundance of caution for our community members and employees, Tribal Council has approved the closure of Tribal Operations beginning on Wednesday, March 18th. The closure will remain in effect until June 15th as of now and will be re-evaluated at a later date to determine if closure should be extended. For the benefit of the community, the Meskwaki Health Clinic, Behavioral Health Services (MADAC), the CHR Program, Pharmacy, and the Meskwaki Travel Plaza will remain open.
Judith Bender, Tribal Council Chairwoman stated, “To minimize exposure to infected individuals, it is up to every single community member to do their part. Profound and significant steps have been made to limit the spread of the coronavirus in our community. Stay home and stay safe.”
Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel
Tribal efforts to slow the spread of the infection of the COVID-19 virus onto the Meskwaki Settlement began to go into effect with the closure of the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel which temporarily closed for business on Tuesday, March 17th .
Meskwaki Settlement School
Starting Thursday, March 19th the Meskwaki Settlement School, including offices, will be closed. Please see the schools website at www.msswarrior.org for more information.
Staff Compensation
During the temporary closure, all employees will be compensated with base pay rates and benefits. Staff are implored to stay at home, practice social distancing, and avoid social gatherings of groups of more than 10 people. To assist enrolled members and their descendants during the closure, food, and health assistance will be available including:
Senior Meals
The Senior Center will provide lunch through home meal delivery each weekday. Seniors who would like a meal should call the center at (641) 484-9222 before 10 AM for delivery.
Children Curbside Grab-N-Go Meals
Starting Monday, April 13, there will be a change to our curbside lunch distribution. In order to decrease the number of times that families have to go out to get lunches, we will be covering multiple days with less lunch pick-ups. Our lunch pick-ups will now only be on Mondays and Thursdays. The Monday lunches will have enough food to cover Monday through Wednesday and the Thursday lunches will cover Thursday and Friday.
So starting next week, we will begin our curbside lunch pick-ups on Monday and Thursday only from 11 am – 12 pm. Just a reminder that meals CAN ONLY BE PROVIDED TO THE CHILD. Simply arrive WITH YOUR CHILDREN (ages 18 or younger) to the elementary school front entrance curb and we will bring the lunches to you. Stay Safe!!
Meskwaki Health Services
The Meskwaki Health Clinic, the CHR Program, Pharmacy, and Behavioral Health Services will remain open normal business hours. PLEASE CALL AHEAD FOR APPOINTMENTS AT (641) 484-4094.
Red Earth Gardens
Red Earth Gardens continues to have organic, farm fresh eggs, beans, and rosemary for sale at the Health Clinic. Eggs are also available for purchase at the Meskwaki Travel Plaza. Go to their website at www.redearthgardens.com for more.
Protection and Public Works
During the closure, emergency services will remain. The Meskwaki Police Department will continue regular patrol hours and emergency Tribal Court Services will be scheduled accordingly. Public Works will continue services as needed including snow removal and garbage pick-up. For emergency Housing Department assistance contact Director Kent Scheid at (641) 481-0335. For broadband/internet issues, contact (641) 481-0344 or (641) 481-5501 to leave a message.
“The most important thing we can do as a tribe,” stated Tribal Chairwoman Bender, “is to protect our most vulnerable, our children and our elders. So please STAY HOME. Be smart. Pray with good energy. Take care of yourself and keep panic in control. Fear has a spirit, do not feed it.”
At this time, there are no known cases reported on the Settlement or in Tama County. IF YOU EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS, PLEASE CALL THE HEALTH CLINIC AT (641) 484-4094 FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE. For more information, contact Executive Director JoAnn Youngbear at (641) 484-4678.
Due to COVID-19 and the Shelter-in-Place Order, meeting to be held via Zoom.
Due to COVID19 and the safety of the participants, this will be held via Zoom.
Meetings dates/times are subject to change at the discretion of the Tribal Chairperson.
All graduates need to attend rehearsal or will not be allowed to participate in graduation on Saturday.
All staff and students must wear masks!
The Meskwaki Settlement School plans to hold a CLOSED live graduation ceremony for immediate household family members to be held on June 27th at the school’s football field.
FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, ONLY THE STUDENT AND HIS/HER IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD FAMILY MEMBERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND DUE DO SOCIAL GATHERING LIMITATIONS SET BY TRIBAL COUNCIL REGARDING COVID-19.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates will participate in a parade that will go through the Settlement led by the Meskwaki Police Department.
The ceremony will be live streamed for public viewing here:
Workforce Development’s Promoting Tribal Economies Course begins. Those signed up before the March deadline will begin their program today!
Due to Covid19 and the safety of the participants, this will be held via Zoom.
Meetings are held on a bi-weekly basis and subject to change at the discretion of the Tribal Chairperson.
On May 27, 1992 the Tribal Council passed a resolution marking the date of July 13th as an official Meskwaki National Holiday. Tribal Operations including the Health Clinic, Pharmacy, Seniors, and others will be closed in commemoration.
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.
Meskwaki Diabetes Program presents a healthy homemade trail mix cooking demo! This will be held on July 15th at Noon through Megan’s Facebook live. The video will be posted along with the recipe after the live demo. Stay tuned!
You can view the live demo through Megan’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/megankoehn.clinicdietitian.5
Due to COVID-19 the meeting will be held via Zoom.
Due to COVID-19 the meeting will be held via Zoom.
In regards to the 2020 Meskwaki Annual Powwow, Tribal Council and MAPA have agreed to cancel this year’s powwow in concern for the safety and well-being of the people during this pandemic. We hope to sing and dance together again in the future to come as the days get better. Ketebi and hope everyone is still dancing and singing at home.
Although the Meskwaki Annual Powwow for 2020
has been canceled, Tribal Offices will still be closing at noon
on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th.
Although the Meskwaki Annual Powwow for 2020
has been canceled, Tribal Offices will still be closing at noon
on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th
In regards to the 2020 Meskwaki Annual Powwow, Tribal Council and MAPA have agreed to cancel this year’s powwow in concern for the safety and well-being of the people during this pandemic. We hope to sing and dance together again in the future to come as the days get better. Ketebi and hope everyone is still dancing and singing at home.
Although the Meskwaki Annual Powwow for 2020
has been canceled, Tribal Offices will still be closing at noon
on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th.
Although the Meskwaki Annual Powwow for 2020
has been canceled, Tribal Offices will still be closing at noon
on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th.
In regards to the 2020 Meskwaki Annual Powwow, Tribal Council and MAPA have agreed to cancel this year’s powwow in concern for the safety and well-being of the people during this pandemic. We hope to sing and dance together again in the future to come as the days get better. Ketebi and hope everyone is still dancing and singing at home.
Although the Meskwaki Annual Powwow for 2020
has been canceled, Tribal Offices will still be closing at noon
on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th.
In regards to the 2020 Meskwaki Annual Powwow, Tribal Council and MAPA have agreed to cancel this year’s powwow in concern for the safety and well-being of the people during this pandemic. We hope to sing and dance together again in the future to come as the days get better. Ketebi and hope everyone is still dancing and singing at home.
Although the Meskwaki Annual Powwow for 2020
has been canceled, Tribal Offices will still be closing at noon
on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th.
Due to COVID-19 and the safety of the participants, this will be held via Zoom.
We hope this message finds everyone safe and recovering from the recent storm. Given the recent storm damage and continued COVID concerns, Tribal Council has elected to delay the start of school until Sept. 8th. Between now and then, we will adjust delivery of professional development for staff and will determine the best delivery model for providing education to our students. Please know that we are thinking of our students, staff, families, and community during this difficult time.
Thank You.
~ Dr. Willie Barney, Superintendent
Beginning of the School Year
The American Indian Council is offering stipends for up to 10 volunteers to assist in the Meskwaki Nation’s recovery efforts due to the recent derecho storm disaster.
They are looking for the following:
• 5 volunteers to work with Food Sovereignty
• 5 volunteers to work on general storm cleanup efforts
• Total payment/stipends are available per person of:
• $9.50/hour plus required workers comp, etc.
• Part time up to 2 months
• Full time for up to one month
• Maximum of 160 hours
Volunteers will need to sign up with the American Indian Council.
If interested, please come to the Meskwaki Tribal Center, 349 Meskwaki Rd., Tama, Iowa at 1 PM on Wednesday, August 18th to sign up or contact Krista Snow from the American Indian Council at (641) 754-1400 ext. 7 for more information.
Participants do not need to be enrolled members or descendants of the Meskwaki Nation but must be members or descendants of any Federally recognized Tribe.
Those who wish to participate must have the following documents:
• CDIB or Tribal ID
• State issued ID
• Physical address
• Social Security card
• Proof of income, including per-cap, child support, etc.
• If a male over the age of 18: selective service number.
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Meskwaki Casino OPENING JULY 1
Meskwaki Casino OPENING JULY 1
Jun 10 all-day
The Meskwaki Tribal Council and MBCH Executive Management met today, Monday, March 16, 2020 and have jointly agreed to the temporary closure of our casino and hotel, effective Tuesday, March 17 at 12 am through … Continue reading Meskwaki Casino OPENING JULY 1
Temporary Closure Tribal Operations
Temporary Closure Tribal Operations
Jun 10 all-day
Meskwaki Settlement, Tama, Iowa – Out of an abundance of caution for our community members and employees, Tribal Council has approved the closure of Tribal Operations beginning on Wednesday, March 18th. The closure will remain … Continue reading Temporary Closure Tribal Operations
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Tribal Council Meeting
Tribal Council Meeting
Jun 10 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Due to COVID-19 and the Shelter-in-Place Order, meeting to be held via Zoom.
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