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The Indians of Iowa
Many different Indian tribes have lived in Iowa, each existing as an independent nation with its own history, culture, language, and traditions. Some were residents before recorded time; some lived in Iowa for relatively short periods but played memorable roles in the state’s history; others visited Iowa mostly during hunting trips or times of war. Stimulating and informative, Lance Foster’s The Indians of Iowa is the only book for the general reader that covers the archaeology, history, and culture of all the different native nations that have called Iowa home from prehistory to the present.
Foster begins with a history of Lewis and Clark’s travels along the Missouri River adjacent to western Iowa. Next, he focuses on the tribes most connected to Iowa from prehistoric times to the present the Ioway, Meskwaki, Sauk, Omaha and Ponca, Otoe and Missouria, Pawnee and Arikara, Potawatomi, Illinois Confederacy, Santee and Yankton Sioux, and Winnebago. In between each tribal account, “closer look” essays provide details on Indian women in Iowa, traditional ways of life, Indian history and spirituality, languages and place-names, archaeology, arts and crafts, and houses and landscapes. Finally, Foster brings readers into the present with chapters called “Going to a Powwow,” “Do You Have Indian Blood?” and “Indians in Iowa Today.” The book ends with information about visiting Native American museums, historic sites, and communities in Iowa as well as tribal contacts and a selection of published and online resources.
The story of the Indians of Iowa is long and complicated. Illustrated with maps and stunning original art, Lance Foster’s absorbing, accessible overview of Iowa’s Indian tribes celebrates the rich native legacy of the Hawkeye State. It is essential reading for students, teachers, and everyone who calls Iowa home.
Foster begins with a history of Lewis and Clark’s travels along the Missouri River adjacent to western Iowa. Next, he focuses on the tribes most connected to Iowa from prehistoric times to the present the Ioway, Meskwaki, Sauk, Omaha and Ponca, Otoe and Missouria, Pawnee and Arikara, Potawatomi, Illinois Confederacy, Santee and Yankton Sioux, and Winnebago. In between each tribal account, “closer look” essays provide details on Indian women in Iowa, traditional ways of life, Indian history and spirituality, languages and place-names, archaeology, arts and crafts, and houses and landscapes. Finally, Foster brings readers into the present with chapters called “Going to a Powwow,” “Do You Have Indian Blood?” and “Indians in Iowa Today.” The book ends with information about visiting Native American museums, historic sites, and communities in Iowa as well as tribal contacts and a selection of published and online resources.
The story of the Indians of Iowa is long and complicated. Illustrated with maps and stunning original art, Lance Foster’s absorbing, accessible overview of Iowa’s Indian tribes celebrates the rich native legacy of the Hawkeye State. It is essential reading for students, teachers, and everyone who calls Iowa home.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
162 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 29, 2021
This book is a nice introduction to Iowa First Nations history. Cover prehistory to current (publication year) information. Easy to read and understand, making it a good resource for students as well as researchers. End pages include places to visit, books to read, websites (unchecked for validity today) and tribal contact information.
October 11, 2021
I met Lance over Zoom last year when he helped me with a project I was working on and saw this in the store last week so I picked it up. Lots of great information about the Native Americans that lived in Iowa. If you're a little of a history buff and want more of an anthropological take on history this is the book for you.
November 2, 2019
Helpful summary of the differing Indian groups who made their home in what is now Iowa.
April 23, 2023
This was an excellent outline of Iowa's American Indian history.
July 28, 2023
An excellent book and a wonderful introduction to the history of the Indigenous people of Iowa. A must read for all Iowans!
October 25, 2024
Really nice overview of Indian culture in/from Iowa, who called the place home over the years, and a little about each tribe. Just wish it were longer and got into the history more!
July 31, 2010
I bought this book to give to my relatives. However I started reading it and as it was a pretty quick read (about 4-5 hours), I read it all.
It has basic information about the Indian tribes which are historical to the state of Iowa.
There's not a lot of detail. It is a good book to start with and get a general idea of the Indians in Iowa and then work to other sources for more specific information.
It also gives a lot of reference points to go and find more information on the Indian tribes linked to the state, so it is nice for that as well.
It has basic information about the Indian tribes which are historical to the state of Iowa.
There's not a lot of detail. It is a good book to start with and get a general idea of the Indians in Iowa and then work to other sources for more specific information.
It also gives a lot of reference points to go and find more information on the Indian tribes linked to the state, so it is nice for that as well.
November 16, 2016
This book is a great thumbnail summary of the tribes that lived in Iowa. I struggled at times with the writing. Sometimes the chronology is out of order, even in the same paragraph. I also felt I needed a little bit more of basic Native American cultural understanding than I had. Still a great book and a first step in understanding. But wow, we have been absolutely horrific to these people over time and we are still committing atrocities.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews