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hundreds of white pine trees, and built the health. The Settlement was a private enclave, era of tremendous change while generating
“Stone House” to serve as a gas station, preserving cultural traditions even as modern economic sustenance for the tribe. The
grocery store, small museum, and as a place life encroached. By the 1950s, Highway U.S. tribe now employs over 1,400 people, and
to sell souvenirs and crafts. Two large stands 30 was relocated to the northern border of the improvements in housing, health, and
of pine trees still exist, but the “Stone House” Settlement, and the tribe gradually acquired education, as well as other initiatives like the
is in ruins with only the walls visible from the land on higher ground toward the north. tribal court, have benefited the Meskwaki and
Byway� their neighbors in myriad ways. Realizing a
Self-determination and political sovereignty long-held dream, Meskwaki children and youth
As part of a nationally significant story, are central to the Meskwaki story with tribal attend the tribal-run Settlement School where
21 Meskwaki warriors enlisted in the U.S. members striving to control the education of they learn about tribal culture and language.
military in early 1941, many serving as their children and seeking economic stability. A new tribal museum serves as a learning
code talkers on overseas battlegrounds. The Meskwaki Tribal Center, complete with center for the Meskwaki and welcomes visitors
Jobs remained scarce and some Meskwaki gymnasium, was built in 1979, serving as to the Settlement. Anyone who comes into
sought employment outside the Settlement the center for most governmental and social contact with the tribe or stops along the Scenic
in towns like Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids, activities. Tribal programs include a health Byway will discover that the Meskwaki story
and Waterloo. Although rural electrification clinic and services, housing, child welfare, has many facets, as the tribe has adapted,
came to the area, it was too expensive to senior services, conservation and reclamation, survived, and thrived over the centuries. With
install wiring to individual houses, and indoor historical preservation projects, environmental deep reverence for their ancestors and pride
plumbing and other practical amenities were protection, generating wind power, and raising in their distinctive Meskwaki identity, the tribe
not available. Jobs were unavailable, and buffalo. created a home in Iowa — a unique and
what limited resources the tribe owned or fascinating place in American history.
received went toward education, housing, and The tribal-operated casino and hotel
complex opened in 1993, introducing an
