MESKWAKI
NATION
THE STORY OF THE MESKWAKI TRIBE The Meskwaki are of the Algonquian origin from the Eastern Woodland culture area. The language spoken is the same dialect as the Sauk and Kickapoo. The tribe has been historically located in the St. Lawrence River Valley, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. The tribe’s first European contact was in 1666.
TRIBAL ENROLLMENT
In 1857 the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Meskwaki) purchased 80 acres of Tama-land on the bluffs of the Iowa River for its natural beauty and resources, as well as peaceful rural qualities. In recent decades economic development milestones accelerated with the erection of the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel and Convention Center. It is the biggest full service casino in Iowa and the biggest employer in Tama County. Most recently the tribe also acquired Pinnacle Bank and Trust to form the foundation of an economic development diversification portfolio. Today the Tribe owns approximately 7,778 acres and has a sovereign nation and settlement designation making a unique distinction between Meskwaki and most other tribes who live on reservations.
White……………….…...……..0% African American………………0% American Indian:…………….100% Asian: …………………………0% Native Hawaiian………………0% Other race……………….…….0% Two or more races……………..0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)…...0%
Every year in mid-July the tribes of Northern America gather in Tama County, Iowa for Proclamation Day. Non-tribal members also get a special invitation into the Meskwaki culture the first weekend in August with the annual Pow Wow. Historically this event celebrated the "Green Corn Dance" but today it offers an opportunity to congregate, remember and learn from the past, celebrate traditional regalia, music and dancing, eat traditional foods, shop traditional crafts and extend a hand of friendship. Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Meskwaki Nation) 349 Meskwaki Road, Tama, IA 52339 (641) 484-4678 www.meskwaki.org
1,349
DEMOGRAPHICS
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
QUICK FACTS Federally recognized Indian Tribe Tribal name is Meskwaki or “Red Earth People” Governed by an Elected Tribal Council Tribal Court System Tribal Police System Source: Sac & Fox Tribe Historical Preservation Department, 2006
www.tamacountyiowa.org
MESKWAKI NATION FACTS | Page 2 GEOGRAPHY/CLIMATE: Gently rolling mid-continent fertile/ high yield farmlands. Ave. High Low Precip. Snow Summer 83 61 13 0 Winter 31 14 4 21 Source: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, 2007
EMPLOYMENT: Larger payrolls (est): Meskwaki Casino…..…………1,030 Sac & Fox Tribe ………………..178 Meskwaki School District ………...75 Trading Post ……………………..20 Tribal Health Clinic ……….……...15 Source: Tama Co. Economic Development, 2009
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Pinnacle Bank……...….$83.6 million Marshalltown, IA total deposits Source: Federal Deposit Ins. Corp., 2008
HEALTH CARE: Meskwaki Health Clinic....1 physician Meskwaki Care Center…..… 6 beds Tama Volunteer EMS……….37 crew
UTILITIES: Electric……...…...……Alliant Energy Natural gas……...…...Alliant Energy Water…...…Meskwaki Public Works Sewer…...….Meskwaki Public Works Phone………..……….....Windstream Internet...............................Windstream Internet……….........……...Mediacom TV Cable………....….…...Mediacom
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: Meskwaki Settlement School District Meskwaki Settlement School (PreK-12) operates a comprehensive, bilingual, alternative, community-based educational environment, designed to incorporate the wisdom and beauty of the Meskwaki culture with the knowledge and skills of the modern technological society. Elementary…………..…..Meskwaki Middle/ High school…….Meskwaki High school Enrollment……...….103 Attendance……………..……..93% Marshalltown Comm College..20 mi Iowa State University…….......55 mi Univ of Northern Iowa…...…..38 mi University of Iowa………........57 mi Source: Iowa Department of Education, 2008
MESKWAKI BINGO-CASINO-HOTEL DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT: Employs ………………………….1,213 Full-time………………………1,115 Part-time and or temp…………...98 Minorities……………………...20% Women………………………..60% Tama County residents……………55% % of County Employment……......15.6% Annual Payroll……………$29.2 million % wages paid in County……...24% Annual Benefits…….………$6.1 million Annual Payroll Taxes………$8.7 million To State of Iowa…………..$1 million Annual Purchases ……...……$27 million Iowa vendors …………….$20 million Annual Visits……………...….1.5 million From out-of-state……………….30% Multiplier Impact State of Iowa……………….$78 million Tama County……….……..$33 million Iowa Employment…………..…918 jobs County Employment………...459 jobs Iowa Earnings Impact……..$27.2 million County Earnings Impact…$9.2 million Source: Klas Robinson Hospitality Consulting, 2004
Updated 05/2011