Presented by Sandra Kessler Host, Curator of the Iowa Schools Museum in Odebolt, Iowa

Sandy Host, an ex-Iowa farm girl whose family started their farm four generations ago in 1874, has researched early Iowa rural history in earnest since returning to Iowa in 2006. She became interested in understanding why Iowa was named after the Ioway Nation and why Iowans do not know their story.

In this presentation at the EV History Center on Sunday, August 30th, at 2:00 p.m., she will share what she has learned about how tribes developed different cultures and languages. The Ioway Nation had control of hunting lands in Southern Minnesota, most of Iowa, and northeast Missouri for at least 200 years (1600s-1800s) and likely many more years before written history.

Most importantly, you will learn about the underestimated impact of the start of the French Fur Trade on Canadian tribes with its affect on the Ioway history. We will contemplate what caused some schools in the 1900s to teach that the Ioway Nation no longer existed, which was not true.

Come hear their story and learn how the Ioway have managed to survive and keep their culture and community. It should make all Iowans proud to have our state of Iowa named after the Ioway Nation in 1846. “Ioway” is only used to distinguish the state from the nation. 

All are invited to attend this event at no charge. Donations are accepted.