Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa

The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa is one of three federally recognized Native American tribes of Sac and Meskwaki (Fox) peoples in the United States. The Fox call themselves Meskwaki and because they are the dominant people in this tribe, it is also simply called Meskwaki Nation (Meskwaki: Meshkwahkîhaki, meaning: "People of the red earth"), the Sauk people call themselves Êshkwîha (literally: "Fox people") or Yochikwîka, both with the meaning "Northern Sauk". They are Algonquian peoples, historically developed in the Eastern Woodland culture.[2] The settlement is located in a small community in Tama County, Iowa.

Sac and Fox Tribe
of the Mississippi in Iowa
tribal flag
Total population
1,300[1]
Regions with significant populations
United States United States (Iowa Iowa)
Languages
English, Sauk, Meskwaki
Religion
Traditional tribal religion, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Sauk people, Meskwaki, Kickapoo people
Location of the Sac and Fox Tribe in Iowa

Government and economic development

The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa is headquartered in Tama, Iowa. They are governed by a seven-person council. They oversee more than 7,000 acres (28 km2) of land, known as the Meskwaki Settlement, which the Meskwaki bought mostly in the 19th century. In 2005, they established a tribal court system and tribal law enforcement in 2006.[1]

The tribe publishes the Meskwaki Nation Times, a bi-monthly newspaper for enrolled tribal members. It is a member of the Native American Journalists Association.[3]

The tribe operates the Meskwaki Trading Post, Meskwaki Bingo Casino, Prime Cut Steakhouse, Full House Cafe, Food Arcade and the Jackpot Buffet, and the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel, with 400 guest rooms, all located outside Tama, Iowa.[4]

The current tribal council members are:

  • Chairman: Dawson Davenport
  • Vice-Chairman: Drayton Roberts
  • Treasurer: Delonda Pushetonequa
  • Council Member: Clinton Bear
  • Council Member: Jarvis Bear
  • Council Member: Eric R. Kapayou
  • Council Member: Zane Oldbear[1]

History

The tribe organized this form of government in 1934 under the federal Indian Reorganization Act.[1]

See also

The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa holds the smallest amount of land of the three federally recognized tribes of the Sac and Fox peoples. The other two are:

Notes
  1. "Sac & Fox Tribe." Meskwaki Nation. (retrieved 11 April 2010)
  2. "Tribal History" Archived 2010-05-23 at the Wayback Machine, Sac & Fox Casino. (retrieved 11 April 2010)
  3. "Meswaki Nation Times" Archived 2008-08-28 at the Library of Congress Web Archives, Meskwaki Nation. (retrieved 11 April 2010)
  4. "Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel." 500 Nations. (retrieved 11 April 2010)
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