Image
Description
A Meskwaki woman, child and dog are pictured outside of a dwelling in Tama, Iowa. During the summer months (May to September), the Meskwaki lived in villages located along major rivers in the center of tribal lands. Their homes consisted of poles covered with slabs of elm bark. Several families lived in each town house. Meskwaki women tended gardens near their summer homes. They also gathered food (wild berries, nuts and roots) and collected bark and cattails for weaving baskets and mats.
Source-Dependent Questions
- Look closely at the photo, what materials were used to construct or make their wickiup? Why would those materials be used?
- The Meskwaki built their villages along rivers. Why would rivers be important and helpful to the tribes?
- To learn more about the roles of women in Meskwaki history, read this short article.