On September 19th, the Meskwaki community celebrates National Tradesperson Day by shining a spotlight on the dedicated workers of the Meskwaki Housing Department, Meskwaki Public Works, Meskwaki Facilities Management, MBCH, and the Meskwaki Nation Apprenticeship Program.
These teams provide far more than carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, water treatment, roadway maintenance, and building care. They build opportunity, stability, and support across the Settlement by ensuring homes, workplaces, and infrastructure are safe, reliable, and welcoming.
MESKWAKI HOUSING DEPARTMENT
With 31employees, the Housing Department maintains 357 houses, senior duplexes and apartments on the Settlement, along with 10 Eagle Ridge townhomes in Marshalltown. From routine service calls to full-scale home rehabilitations, their work ensures residents have comfortable and secure places to live.
Housing Director Arlan Whitebreast said, “The Meskwaki Housing Program proudly recognizes and celebrates the invaluable contributions of our tradespeople. Every home repaired, every project completed, and every skill shared is a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship of the men and women who serve our community through their trades.
Our tradespeople are more than builders and technicians, they are teachers, role models, and community leaders. By passing on their knowledge, they not only strengthen the foundation of our housing program but also inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in construction and maintenance.
Together, we are not just maintaining homes, we are building futures. Each project represents more than concrete, lumber, or wiring; it represents security for our families, pride for our community, and sustainability for future generations.
On behalf of the Meskwaki Housing Program, I extend gratitude to all our carpenters, maintenance staff, apprentices, and skilled professionals whose work supports the growth of our community. Your efforts ensure that our homes are safe, our community is strong, and our traditions remain alive and well.”
MESKWAKI PUBLIC WORKS
The Public Works Department keeps the community moving and safe through roads, water, solid waste, and utilities. With a staff of 15, their responsibilities stretch from snow and ice removal to water quality monitoring and more.
- Roads & Maintenance: Maintains tribal roads and bridges, provides snow/ice/dust control, oversees signage, erosion and soil control, pedestrian safety, and traffic standards.
- Solid Waste: Handles regular trash collection, roadside cleanup, and two community-wide clean-ups each year, while working toward expanded recycling programs. Appliance and furniture pick-up is also available.
- Water Systems: Oversees planning, design, construction, and rehabilitation of water production, storage, and distribution facilities. Staff regularly monitor chemical balance, conduct water quality assessments, and ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. They also manage permits for the Tribe’s seven water wells, three water towers and maintain cross-connection and backflow prevention programs.
- Wastewater Systems: Operates and maintains the wastewater treatment facility, monitoring effluent discharge under federal permit standards. Personnel oversee the collection, treatment, and disposal of domestic and industrial sewage, protecting both public health and the environment.
- Underground Locates: As a member of Iowa One Call, Utilities staff provide underground locating services to prevent accidental damage during construction or excavation.
Their work ensures safe travel, clean water, and proper waste management for the community. They are the unseen, vital foundation of community health.
Public Works Director Chad Keahna explains, “These men and women don’t just see it as a job; they see it as a responsibility. And while many people might say, ‘It’s just your job,’ the truth is, they go above and beyond every single day. Tradesperson Day remind us of the work that often goes unseen, the behind-the-scenes effort that keeps our Settlement running smoothly. Roads, water, wastewater, and our office staff, all come together in one big team effort. Every role is essential, and together they make us stronger.
Maintaining our roads takes a lot of work and dedication. When the team is out there grading, hauling rock, or spreading lime and salt, they know their moms, their koko’s, their aunties, and all their family members are traveling on those very same roads and counting on them. It’s that same thinking that drives our water/wastewater team. That’s why they take such pride in doing the job well, it’s about serving the whole community.”
MESKWAKI FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
With a staff of 14, Tribal Operations Facilities Management maintains more than 406.5K square feet of tribal buildings, including offices, athletic center, and community spaces, while also caring for a fleet of 132 vehicles. Their work ensures that the Tribe’s spaces remain safe, functional, and welcoming.
Facilities Director Charlie Shuckahosee advised, “The tribe has made a major investment in our buildings and facilities to ensure they remain safe, structurally sound, and fully functional. This investment is not just about the buildings themselves, it’s about creating spaces where our staff can best serve the needs of the community.
Our Facilities and Maintenance staff are at the core of this mission. By having our own skilled workers, the tribe strengthens its self-reliance and ensures that critical services are always cared for with dedication and pride. These workers provide an essential service that often goes unnoticed. They are on the job before dawn, some working through the night and weekends, to make sure heating, cooling, water, electricity, and the very structure of our buildings are maintained.
Though much of their work happens behind the scenes, it is the foundation that allows every other program and service to function effectively. When these objectives are met, our staff and community have the strength and stability needed to move forward together. Recognizing the Facilities and Maintenance teams is recognizing the backbone of our tribe’s ability to serve.”
Facilities’ responsibilities extend well beyond routine repairs. The team provides:
- Security services to safeguard community buildings and assets.
- Custodial care to keep workplaces, recreation center, Tribal Center, and gathering spaces clean and inviting.
- Snow and ice removal around facilities for safe access during winter months.
- Groundskeeping and landscaping that maintain the beauty and usability of outdoor spaces.
- Capital development and facility improvements that expand and modernize tribal infrastructure.
- Renovation and maintenance services that ensure buildings adapt to evolving community needs.
In every project, from upgrading offices to maintaining gym floors, from vehicle upkeep to new construction, the Facilities team supports the daily life of the Meskwaki Nation while planning for its long-term growth. Their work helps create spaces where community members can gather, work, learn, and celebrate together safely.
MBCH MAINTENANCE/ENGINEERING
At the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel, Maintenance/Engineering staff maintain more than 313,000 square feet of hotel rooms, casino and gaming areas, restaurant space, bingo hall, conference centers, outdoor areas, and more. The department’s responsibilities extend well beyond general upkeep, they oversee HVAC systems, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, and preventative maintenance to ensure all facilities remain safe, functional, and welcoming for guests. They also handle seasonal tasks, such as snow removal, holiday/event lighting, landscaping, and exterior repairs, which are crucial for both guest safety and preserving the property’s appearance.
Additionally, the team provides rapid-response support for urgent repair needs, helping minimize downtime in high-traffic areas like gaming floors and dining spaces. Their work not only keeps operations running smoothly but also directly contributes to guest satisfaction.
MBCH General Manager Scott Sirois said, “On behalf of the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our hardworking Maintenance/Engineering staff. Every day, they keep our property safe, functional, and welcoming for our guests. From ensuring the comfort of our hotel rooms, to keeping the lights on across our gaming floors, to maintaining the systems that power our restaurants, conference centers, and bingo hall, they are the backbone of our operation.
Thank you for your professionalism, reliability, and excellence. We simply could not succeed without you, and I want you to know how truly valued you are as part of our team.”
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM: BUILDING THE FUTURE
While Housing, Public Works, and Facilities maintain and strengthen the present, the Meskwaki Nation Apprenticeship Program ensures a strong future for the skilled trades.
Founded in 2017, the program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and accredited by the National Center for Education. Apprentices train in carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and pest control through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on learning.
Last year, the program celebrated its largest graduating class, five new tradespeople, each earning trade diplomas and certifications! Apprentices leave with not only skills, but the confidence to serve their community.
Apprenticeship Director Matt Bear said, “It is a tremendous benefit to have skilled trades education right here on the Settlement. With over 350 homes and numerous community buildings, we need people who know how to handle the tools, equipment, and systems that support our everyday lives. From making sure clean water runs, septic systems function, and electricity flows when we flip a switch, these skills have a direct and lasting impact on the quality of life for all of us.
What makes me proud is seeing our students take part in this work – building homes, maintaining systems, and stepping into roles that strengthen our self-reliance as a community. Skilled trades are more than just jobs; they are sustainable career paths that provide independence and security for our people, while also ensuring the Settlement is cared for well into the future.
The more skilled workers we develop, the better we can meet our housing needs, maintain what we have, and continue to grow. It’s a true win-win: our students gain valuable careers, and our community gains the strength and resources it needs to thrive for generations to come.”
Speaking with some of the apprentices on why they begin working in the trades:
- Drayton Roberts:
“Both my grandfather and father were carpenters, so I grew up around the trades. My favorite work is trim, cabinets, and finishing touches, the details that really complete a project. What’s most rewarding is knowing that the work I do helps make our community a better place to live.” - Kari Roberts:
“We start each morning with a meeting, make a plan, and then break into groups to set goals for the week. One of my funniest memories is when Froggie, a local dog who likes to hang around, hopped into the back of our supervisor’s truck. He ended up taking a road trip all the way to Grinnell before anyone realized he was there!” - Winston Wolf:
“I first got interested in the trades when I took a woods class in high school. Years later, my teacher from that class is actually my supervisor now. My favorite project has been helping build the gazebo at the powwow grounds. It was my first project, and it’s still special to me.” - Albert Medina:
“What I enjoy most is that every day is different. Each project brings new challenges, and I like figuring out the details, seeing the design in your mind and then making it practical and real. That problem-solving part keeps it interesting.”
A LASTING IMPACT
Together, Housing, Public Works, Facilities, and the Apprenticeship Program demonstrate the strength of skilled trades in action. From maintaining hundreds of homes and safe roadways, to ensuring clean water, to training the next generation of tradespeople – their work is felt in every corner of the Settlement.
This National Tradesperson Day, we honor not only the hammers, saws, and blueprints, but also the dedication, problem-solving, and heart behind each of them.
The Meskwaki Housing Department, Public Works, Facilities Management, and Apprenticeship Program continue to leave a lasting mark, building a stronger community one project, one road, and one home at a time.