Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma is one of two federally recognized tribes for the Iowa people. The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma is headquartered in Perkins, Oklahoma. 490 of the 800 enrolled tribal members live within the state of Oklahoma.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_Tribe_of_Oklahoma
The Iowa Nation was most likely indigenous to the Great Lakes areas and part of the Winnebago Nation. At some point they were separated and a portion moved southward. The portion that stayed near the Mississippi River became the Iowa; the remainder became the Otoe and Missouria.
For the majority of their Tribal history the Iowa, or Ioway, lived in what is now the state of Iowa. The Iowa Tribe relocated many times throughout history. They maintained a village near Council Bluffs, Iowa for many years finally abandoning it because of aggression by the Sioux and a desire to relocate closer to the French traders.
In 1824, with the encroachment of white settlers into western lands, the Iowa Tribe ceded their lands and were given two years to vacate. By 1836 and 1838 additional lands were ceded, and the Tribe was removed to an area near the Kansas-Nebraska border. Once a proud nation with native lands encompassing areas of the Missouri and Mississippi River Valleys, the Iowas found themselves with a strip of land ten miles wide and twenty miles long. Later that land would be further reduced.
Due to poor conditions and mistreatment a number of Iowa tribal members left the Kansas-Nebraska reserve in 1878 and moved to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). In 1883 an Iowa reservation was established there, but those who wanted to could remain on the land in the north. Today the two Nations are recognized as separate entities. The Northern Iowa are headquartered in White Cloud, Kansas, while the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma has offices in Perkins, Oklahoma.
Today, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma has over 800 members enrolled within the tribe and a jurisdictional area covering all or parts of Payne, Oklahoma, Lincoln, and Logan counties. They are the largest employer in their area with over 160 employees in several different departments, including Administration, Accounting departments for the various Tribal Enterprises (including three casinos spread throughout our jurisdiction), and a tribally-operated Police and Fire Department.
Bobby Walkup (Chairman)
Tel: (405) 547-2402
Fax: (405) 547-1032
335588 E 750 Road
Perkins, OK 74059-3268
Website: http://www.iowanation.org
The Iowa Nation was most likely indigenous to the Great Lakes areas and part of the Winnebago Nation. At some point they were separated and a portion moved southward. The portion that stayed near the Mississippi River became the Iowa; the remainder became the Otoe and Missouria.
For the majority of their Tribal history the Iowa, or Ioway, lived in what is now the state of Iowa. The Iowa Tribe relocated many times throughout history. They maintained a village near Council Bluffs, Iowa for many years finally abandoning it because of aggression by the Sioux and a desire to relocate closer to the French traders.
In 1824, with the encroachment of white settlers into western lands, the Iowa Tribe ceded their lands and were given two years to vacate. By 1836 and 1838 additional lands were ceded, and the Tribe was removed to an area near the Kansas-Nebraska border. Once a proud nation with native lands encompassing areas of the Missouri and Mississippi River Valleys, the Iowas found themselves with a strip of land ten miles wide and twenty miles long. Later that land would be further reduced.
Due to poor conditions and mistreatment a number of Iowa tribal members left the Kansas-Nebraska reserve in 1878 and moved to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). In 1883 an Iowa reservation was established there, but those who wanted to could remain on the land in the north. Today the two Nations are recognized as separate entities. The Northern Iowa are headquartered in White Cloud, Kansas, while the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma has offices in Perkins, Oklahoma.
Iowa Tribal Headquarters is located three miles South of Perkins, Oklahoma, and about one half mile West of US highway 177.
335588 E. 750 Rd.
Perkins, OK 74059
The Iowa Tribe was fortunate enough to have a historic preservation grant for the purpose of conducting an oral history. A series of questions were developed to assist in conducting the interviews. Elders were asked to share their memories which were placed on an audio recording, and were given an honorarium. In addition, photographs were gathered and genealogical information. It is our hope that future generations will be able to visit the Iowa Tribe library and hear the voices of their great, great grandparents and see family and historic photos as well. An important element of the Bah-Kho-Je culture is the Wa-Kah, or story telling sessions in which tribal members gathered during the winter to share stories.
Currently, the Iowa Tribe does not offer language classes. Two years ago we were able to offer classes which taught language and songs. The Tribe sponsored a language workshop, and a number of Tribes attended with the purpose of exchanging ideas for language retention. It is our intention to be able to offer similar programs in the near future. In the interim, we have given recording devices to our elders and the request that they record any words, stories, and songs they can remember. This information will be catalogued and used for additional programs.
Today, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma has over 800 members enrolled within the tribe and a jurisdictional area covering all or parts of Payne, Oklahoma, Lincoln, and Logan counties. They are the largest employer in their area with over 160 employees in several different departments, including Administration, Accounting departments for the various Tribal Enterprises (including three casinos spread throughout our jurisdiction), and a tribally-operated Police and Fire Department.
The tribe issues its own vehicle tags and operates the Bah-kho-je Housing Authority. They own a truck stop, a gas station, a smoke shop, a bingo hall, an off-track wagering facility, and a casino. The estimated annual economic impact of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma was $10,343,000 in 2011.[1] The tribe operates the Cimarron Casino in Perkins, the Iowa Tribe Smokeshop in Coyle, and the Ioway Casino Resort in Chandler.[6]
The Bah-Kho-Je Journal is a newspaper published by the tribe for enrolled members.[7] The tribe also owns BKH Solutions, a SBA 8(A) certified company providing trucking, construction, environmental, archaeological, and energy services and consulting.[8] They have their own tribal police department and Tah-Je Do-Weh Che Child Development and Head Start program.[9]
The tribe owns its own Bah-Kho-Je Gallery that represents Iowa artists, such as Jean Bales (Iowa), David Kaskaske (Iowa-Otoe-Missouri), and Daniel Murray (Iowa/Otoe), as well as artists from related tribes, such as Mars Biggoose (Ponca), Gina Gray (Osage Nation), and others. The gallery was based in Guthrie, Oklahoma, but is now located in the Iowa tribal complex in Perkins.[10]
Bobby Walkup (Chairman)
Tel: (405) 547-2402
Fax: (405) 547-1032
335588 E 750 Road
Perkins, OK 74059-3268
Website: http://www.iowanation.org
