Workforce Development
Our Mission & Vision
Mission: Empowering the Meskwaki Nation by providing training and educational opportunities and career pathways to promote a thriving and healthy economy.
Vision: To create and sustain a thriving workforce development system that serves the Meskwaki Community.
What We Do
We are here to help develop, sustain, and retain a viable workforce for the Meskwaki Nation. We strive to create a workforce development system that will create economic prosperity for individuals, businesses, and the community.
Meskwaki Youth Internship Program
Open to Native American youth ages 14-24, summer internships are available in various Meskwaki programs. We’re looking for motivated youth interested in gaining professional skills and hands-on career experience over the summer months. Program opportunities include accounting, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, administrative, family services, senior services, child care, farming, language/historic preservation, youth activities, I.T., communications, banking and more!
During the 8 week internship, interns will have the chance to work alongside Meskwaki community professionals while earning a weekly $12 per hour stipend. (30 hrs/wk.)
THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW CLOSED! This summer’s program is set to begin in June. Watch for pictures and information about program participants throughout the summer!
Promoting Tribal Economies and Community
Promoting Tribal Economies and Community (PTEC) is a workforce development program that provides education and training to Meskwaki Community Members. The program includes a training course and on-the-job training within the department’s incubators Red Earth Gardens and Meskwaki Food Sovereignty. Participants will learn about workplace skills, food, farming, seeding, and Meskwaki Indigenous knowledge and life-ways during the growing season, from plant to harvest. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
Department Incubators
Red Earth Gardens
The Red Earth Gardens is an organic farm committed to growing food in a way that was taught to us by our ancestors. Nourishing Mother Earth while supporting the community through environmentally-sustainable practices, we grow vegetables, herbs, and more! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
Meskwaki Food Sovereignty
Our mission is to secure food sovereignty by seeding, growing, and harvesting Meskwaki Indigenous knowledge and life-ways. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
Financial Literacy
We offer financial literacy to educate individuals to make informed financial decisions. The training utilizes the curriculum from Building Native Communities – Financial Skills for Families that covers the following topics:
- Building a healthy economy
- Developing a spending plan
- Working with checking and savings accounts
- Understanding credit and your credit report
- Using credit
- Be a smart consumer
Upcoming Events
Events
Recent News
Workforce Development Staff
Richard Buffalo
Seasonal Farm Team Member
Red Earth Gardens
Darian Davenport
PTEC (Temporary)
Workforce Development
Olivia Meyer
Instructional Farm Manager
Red Earth Gardens
Kyla Sanache
PTEC (Temporary)
Workforce Development
Ezekiel Wabaunasee
Seasonal Farm Team Member
Red Earth Gardens
Department Contact Information
Department Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone Number
Physical & Mailing Address
3166 H Ave – Tama, IA 52339
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Contact the Meskwaki Nation
Get in touch with our main office if you have general questions or need assistance finding the correct department to contact.