Auntie Knows Native
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State guide

Iowa

Community meetings, gatherings, classes and celebrations, and the tribes and organizations behind them, all in one place so you can find your community.

55,000+Native people (2020 Census)
39thin U.S. Native population
1federally recognized tribe based here
0state-recognized tribes

Population is the 2020 Census count of people identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native alone or in combination, rounded down to the nearest thousand. Rank uses the same count. Tribe totals reflect headquarters and official state recognition; federal and state counts may overlap. The Meskwaki Nation (Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa) is Iowa's only federally recognized tribe. Iowa has no process for recognizing tribes.

Listings last reviewed October 29, 2026.

Other states
Gatherings

What's happening in Iowa

Events appear once the host announces the date and come down after the last day.

Submit an event
  • Nov4

    Cultural Community Connection and Talk by Michael Goze

    The Landing Market, Decorah · $20; $15 students and kids · 5–7 p.m. · Host's page
    Indigenous Heritage Month food, talk and gathering. No reservations needed.
    Talk
  • Nov19

    First Nations: An Introduction to Native American History on the Great Plains

    Bondurant Community Library, Bondurant · 6–7 p.m. · Host's page
    Presented by the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist.
    Talk
  • Nov28

    Native American Storytelling and Drumming

    Putnam Museum, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport · 2–4 p.m. · Host's page
    With Larry Lockwood (Northern Cheyenne) of the Native American Coalition of the Quad Cities.
    Storytelling
  • Aug12

    Meskwaki Annual Powwow

    Meskwaki Settlement, Tama · 2027 · Host's page
    Powwow
Annual events to watch for (2)

Usually held around this time of year. Dates have not been announced yet, so check with the host before you go.

  • OctTBA

    Indigenous Iowans Day

    Living History Farms, Urbandale · Government source
    Celebration
  • NovTBA

    Memorial March to Honor Lost Children

    Sioux City · the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, honoring Native children lost in foster care · Host's page
    Community
Directory

Tribes & organizations

Tribes and organizations can claim their listing for free to keep it current and connect their public calendar.

Federally recognized tribes headquartered in Iowa

Meskwaki Nation (Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa)

349 Meskwaki Road, Tama · 641-484-4678 · 800-944-9503
Iowa’s only federally recognized tribe. The Meskwaki Settlement is land the people bought and own; it is not a reservation.
Official tribal website
Page not yet claimed
Is this your tribe? Claim this page

State-recognized tribes

None. Iowa has no state-recognized tribes.

Urban and intertribal organizations

Siouxland Human Investment Partnership: Native American Urban Community Resources

Sioux City · (712) 522-7906
Help finding services, Native family programs, cultural and healing support, youth activities and the yearly Memorial March to Honor Lost Children
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Indian Heritage and Cultural Center of Eastern Iowa

Cedar Rapids · 319-481-2425 · [email protected]
Cultural, educational and social programs. In a temporary space and moving soon, so call first
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Nations headquartered elsewhere with an office in Iowa

These nations are headquartered in other states and have something here you can visit or take part in, named on each card. Being listed here does not mean a nation is headquartered or officially recognized in Iowa.

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Headquarters: Winnebago, Nebraska
In Iowa: a Human Services office in Sioux City.
Official tribal website
Page not yet claimed
Is this your tribe? Claim this page
Help close to home

Community resources

Community centers, health and family services, elder and youth programs, and job training for Native people.

Meskwaki Health Clinic

1646 305th St., Tama · 641-484-4094
Medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health and community health. Eligibility rules apply
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Meskwaki Family Services

Meskwaki Settlement, Tama · 641-484-4444
Family support and child welfare services
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska: Human Services, Sioux City office

600 4th St., Suite 502, Sioux City · (712) 203-2352
TANF, general assistance, child care, job support and family services. Monday–Friday 8–4:30
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

American Indian Council

Serves Iowa, Missouri and Kansas
Job training and employment help for American Indian and Alaska Native people
Official website
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Learn and visit

Education & culture

Indian Education programs, tribal colleges and university programs, museums, language programs and research resources.

Schools and universities

Meskwaki Settlement School

1610 305th St., Tama · 641-484-9000
Tribal school for kindergarten through 12th grade
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

University of Iowa: Latino Native American Cultural Center

308 Melrose Ave., Iowa City
Community house and gathering space for Native and Latino students, open since the early 1970s
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Museums and public places

Meskwaki Cultural Center & Museum

303 Meskwaki Road, Tama · (641) 484-3185
Run by the Meskwaki Nation. Shares Meskwaki history and culture. Open Monday–Friday, 8:30–4
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Harpers Ferry
More than 200 mounds on bluffs above the Mississippi, cared for with affiliated tribal nations. Not Native-run
Government source

Toolesboro Mounds National Historic Landmark

Toolesboro, Louisa County · free
Hopewell burial mounds. Grounds open sunrise to sunset; visitor center open seasonally
Government source
Missing something? Send additions or corrections to [email protected].
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Ask Auntie

Tracing Native ancestry in Iowa

Where to look for Native American genealogy records in Iowa.

"Ay, jitos, start with your family's names, dates and Iowa counties. If the trail points to Meskwaki, go to the Nation's own records. If it points somewhere else, follow that nation to its enrollment or records office."

Why the search matters: Gathering your family's records may or may not lead to tribal enrollment. For some families, the road back to enrollment has closed, and that loss is real. Either way, the search matters. Every name, place, document and story helps restore a piece of what was carried, hidden, scattered or lost. Sometimes belonging begins not with being admitted somewhere, but with finally understanding where you come from.
Good to know: Finding a Native ancestor does not establish tribal membership. Each tribe determines its own citizenship requirements.
Have a question? Email Auntie at [email protected].