Description
The photograph shows the Meskwaki Settlement School on the Meskwaki Indian settlement. The Sac and Fox Settlement School originally was established as a day school by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Next, it became part of the South Tama County Community School District, an Iowa public school system. In 1972, the school was closed and tribal members applied for the school to be run by the Meskwaki people. In 1980, the Sac and Fox Settlement School became a tribal school. Now the Meskwaki Settlement School, it is a tribally-controlled school with oversight by the Bureau of Indian Education. The mission of the school since the 1980s has been, and continues to be, the preservation of the Meskwaki culture and language and preparation of all students to become productive citizens.
Source-Dependent Questions
- What do you notice about the building and symbols that represent the Meskwaki culture?
- Why would the school play an important role in the settlement?