Iowa

The word Iowa is variously translated as ‘one who puts to sleep’ or ‘beautiful land.’

Iowa people traveled with the Sauk and Fox tribes. In 1760, the Iowa tribe was fairly large numbering over 1100 members. As their population dwindled to 800 in 1804 and 112 in 1937, the Iowa came to depend on the Sauk more and more and eventally lived in alliance with them. The Iowa Tribe was relocated to Kansas from Missouri under the provisions of the Indian removal act in 1837.

The Iowa are an agricultural people, and they wear the turban and characteristic moccasin of the eastern tribes. The Iowa people are known for its finely woven floor mats made of of reed over a bark-cord foundation. They also make loosely woven twined rectangular storage bags. Iowa are an agricultural people, and they wear the turban and characteristic moccasin of the eastern tribes. The Iowa people are known for its finely woven floor mats made of of reed over a bark-cord foundation. They also make loosely woven twined rectangular storage bags.

The United States Bureau of Indian Affairs officially recognized two Iowa Tribes circa 2003:

  • Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
  • Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
 
Iowa Tribe of Oaklahoma Official tribal government site features business, tribal assistance programs, resources, enterprises
Iowa Tribe of Nebraska and Kansas Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska is located along the Missouri River on an approximately 2,100-acre reservation straddling the borders of northeast Kansas (Brown County) and southeast Nebraska (Richardson County).
Iowa Indian Tribe History Iowa chiefs informed Dorsey in 1883 that their people and the Oto, Missouri, Omaha, anti Ponca "once formed part of the Winnebago nation." According to the traditions of these tribes, at an early period they came with the Winnebago from their priscan home north of the great lakes, but that the Winnebago stopped on the shore of a great lake (Lake Michigan), attracted by the abundant fish, while the others continued southwestward to the Mississippi.
Lewis & Clark in Kansas Two hundred years since the historic journey of the Corps of Discovery, the names Meriwether Lewis and William Clark remain linked to one of America's most incredible adventure stories. The summer of 1804 took the U.S. Army expedition along the northeast corner of what is now the state of Kansas. Throughout their two-week stay they observed native flora and fauna, disciplined unruly Corps members and celebrated the fourth of July. We invite you to experience Lewis and Clark heritage and rediscover Kansas for yourself.
Migration of the Iowa Tribe The original outlines of the Indian map were drawn in the rough by an Iowa Indian, with a black lead pencil on a large sheet of white paper, furnished at the mission house on their reservation on the Kansas Nebraska border
Tribal Directory The official website of the American Indian Heritage Foundation, to serve the Tribes while sharing the culture.
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