I made a horrible mistake yesterday. I didn’t mislabel or completely miss somebody’s submissions. Like I have done in the past. No. I completely forgot to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day! (1 day late.)

I apologize for missing it. The Computer Mine does not celebrate a single social justice holiday, cause… well you can fill in the blanks… so it was a bit off my radar.

If it is completely off your radar:

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures.

Thought I would share some of the history of the Meskwaki Nation in Iowa. Cause I think most people think it is a reservation, but it isn’t.

From the Meskwaki website:

Reclaiming Our Iowa Homeland
On July 13, 1857, the Meskwaki formally purchased their first 80 acres in Tama County, which gave formal federal identity to the Meskwaki people as the “Sac & Fox in Iowa.” Then 10 years later, in 1867, the United States government allowed the Meskwaki living in Iowa to receive federal annuity payments for the first time. This unique identity (that of unclear jurisdictional status since the tribe had formal federal recognition but also continuing relations with the State of Iowa due to the tribe’s private ownership of land) allowed the Meskwaki people to be virtually ignored by federal as well as state policies. Always persevering, this gave them time to return, thrive, and grow.

Gaining Ground
Every year between 1857 and 1866, different groups of Meskwaki returned to the Settlement, with the majority coming to the area after 1862. The tribe traded 130 trees to obtain funds to purchase another parcel of 40 acres in January 1867. This expanded the Meskwaki Settlement to almost 3,000 acres.

By generating income through trapping and by accumulating annuity payments, the tribe was able to purchase additional land between 1867 and 1901. During this 30-year time period, the Meskwaki people were able to live a more independent lifestyle than other tribes confined to regular reservations strictly regimented by federal authority. Seeking to resolve this ambiguity, the State of Iowa ceded to the Federal Government all jurisdiction over the Meskwaki. The outdated federal law was later repealed by the Federal Government in 2019.

In 1987, the Meskwaki purchased additional ground, expanding their holdings to 7,054 acres, acquiring land towards the north. Powwow celebrations, however, continue to be held on traditional grounds to the south.

A Sovereign Nation
Because their ancestors had the tenacity and foresight to purchase their land, the Meskwaki Settlement is not an Indian Reservation. It was not set apart from the public domain and reserved for Indians. It is privately purchased property — a sovereign nation. Owing to the noble sacrifices and vision of their ancestors, the Meskwaki continued to thrive and grow over the years on their purchased land.

Today’s Success & Our Future
Today, the Meskwaki continue to purchase land as opportunities for economic diversification arise. They currently own more than 8,100 acres in Tama, Marshall, and Palo Alto County. The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa is the only federally recognized Indian tribe in Iowa. They have their own constitution, codified laws, 13 full-time police officers, and a fully functioning court system. They have more than 1,450 enrolled tribal members and are the largest employer in Tama County, employing more than 1,200 people.

The Meskwaki Nation has been working to improve housing and infrastructure along with modern amenities over the years, including beginning their own fiber-optic network. Tribal activities at the Settlement shifted to the north after the relocation of Highway 30 where the Meskwaki Bingo, Casino & Hotel, Meskwaki Settlement School, Meskwaki Health Clinic, Meskwaki Business Center, and newer housing additions are situated.

Over the last 15 years, the tribe has purchased Pinnacle Bank, built a new Meskwaki Travel Plaza, and created the Natural Resources and Buffalo Wildlife Project. They opened Meskwaki, Inc. and their subsidiaries which started an economic diversification project working to create sustainable business opportunities for the Tribe. In 2013, as part of the Meskwaki Food Sovereignty Initiative, they launched Red Earth Gardens, a 40-acre self-sustaining farm and in 2022 the tribe began growing and harvesting CBD grade hemp through its new production/manufacturing corporation. Scheduled for opening in 2023, the community is currently building a 75,959 sq.ft. recreation facility which will include a large gathering area for the community, youth classrooms, a daycare, a four-court gymnasium, running/walking track, weight room, outdoor splash park and more. Above all, the Meskwaki Nation is working to build a better life for their community members through family service programs like their Behavior Health Services, Historic Preservation and Language Preservation initiatives, Apprenticeship Program and Higher Education.

By adapting, surviving, and thriving, The People Of The Red Earth are working hard to determine the needs within their community. They are committed to protecting their inherent sovereignty, preserving and promoting their culture, and improving the quality of life for future generations.

Hard to imagine a community that isn’t afraid of success. Maybe Boone should go there and start taking notes.

And as always:

This is a small collection of sort of random images I took back in January, February, and March. Some are alternates for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Some are not.

Notice the guy in the black and orange tent.

Always feels good to get some of the backlog cleared out!