Iowa History 101: Iowa's Native Nations

Join the State Historical Society of Iowa for an online learning series that focuses on the past lives of Iowans to help commemorate the 175th anniversary of Iowa. This week, we address some of the first people to live in the land we now call Iowa. Learn more about the Native nations, including the Iowa (Baxoje), with Lance Foster, vice chairman of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and author of “The Indians of Iowa” (2010, University of Iowa Press).

[@ylaensadler6648]

I would like to share a passed down family story from Iowa. I heard it from my great grandma in 1955. I’m old now, & not a tribal member, but it’s true as far as I know. Because of this untold story I found my nephew about 20 yrs ago. Except for folks in SE Oklahoma, I’m the last member of my family. My nephew’s family is enrolled half as Lakota, half as Piegan. My nephew might be direct blood to me , or might be Hunka family, it doesn’t matter to me as I love him & his anyway! But there were others, between 25 to 100 folks. To make this story as direct as possible, I’m Cherokee & French on my mother’s side. My Cherokee family removed themselves from North Carolina in about 1830, promised land in Iowa by an Indian agent. When they got there along with others that desired peace, they waited in what is now called Cherokee county. My grandma was born there, but they had no town or townhall, so they waited till a census & registered her birth in Correctioville, by then she was 2yrs old! My great grandma had one friend that was a year older than her who was also French Cherokee! My nephew had also heard this story, but thought the town hall was in Correction city & couldn’t find it! I showed it to him on a map. We could be blood or Hunka family but that doesn’t matter to either of us as we share a great love! Oh, and Indian agent finally showed up & couldn’t find his Indians, so he went up to a 2 story farm house & asked the folks there if they knew any Indians as he couldn’t find his Cherokee. They invited him in & explained they had gotten on with their lives while wondering if they were forgotten! All prospered according to my great grandma, but she brought my grandma to California when she was 12 yrs old in the 1930’s there about. My father’s family is Tsalagi from Oklahoma, & to quote the Bible they begat, apparently again & again! I thought this might interest you as a little known bit of history. My immediate parents were never interested as they blended into mainstream society for work. I enjoyed your logical approach to the history of Iowa.

[@Daron7181]

I used to live in Potawatomi County in Southwest Iowa when I was a little kid. I remember to asking people what happened to the Potawatomi people but it always created an awkward silence.

[@pjhoover1]

Who was the 1st American Indian CSOPA officer in Iowa?
Thank you

[@iowa562]

Indigenous is better adjective than Native.