T-R FILE PHOTO The 105th annual Meskwaki Powwow draws hundreds of people not only from Central Iowa, but from around the United States. The four-day long festivities (Aug. 8-11) celebrate the people of the Meskwaki Settlement.

TAMA — The 105th annual Meskwaki Powwow draws hundreds of people not only from Central Iowa, but from around the United States. The four-day long festivities beginning Thursday celebrates the people of the Meskwaki Settlement. While it began as a religious celebration, it has evolved into a time to socialize, honor friendship and introduce non-Meskwaki natives to the food, dance and culture.

“The powwow is majestic and breathtaking,” powwow spokesperson Shannon Mitchell said. “The regalia was painstakingly made and passed down from generation to generation.”

Thursday is Children’s Day. Of special note is the recognition of Meskwaki royalty during the 1 p.m. Grand Entry with Invocation celebration.

Grand Entry takes place each day of the powwow at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. consisting of the famed traditional dances.

“Come early, get an Indian taco and get a good seat to see the dances,” Mitchell said. “All the songs are sung for a reason and have so much meaning to them.”

Native Americans from all over the country come to this event to show support of the Meskwaki Nation.

Several Democratic presidential candidates will be on hand, including former Rep. John Delaney at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Four presidential hopefuls will visit on Saturday: former Rep. Beto O’Rourke at noon; Montana Gov. Steve Bullock at 12:40 p.m.; Marianne Williamson at 1 p.m. and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker at 8 p.m. Candidate appearance dates and times are subject to change. A general admission ticket to the powwow is required to attend any of the candidate appearances.

“Five presidential candidates coming is exciting because one of them could be president someday,” Mitchell said. “We want to see how they care about native peoples.”

Meskwaki is a settlement, not a reservation, as most Indian land is today. On July 13, 1857, the Meskwaki tribe purchased its first 80 acres of land in Tama County from Isaac Butler. Spring 2019 marked 111 years since all the land that was held by the Meskwaki people was transferred from a state to a federal trust title when the U.S. Secretary of the Interior took on the role of trustee for tribal lands — a position previously held by the governor of the State of Iowa. Today, more than 1,000 people reside on the settlement.

General admission to the powwow is $7 for adults, $5 for children and kids 5 and under free. Dances will be livestreamed online.

To learn more, visit www.meskwakipowwow.com.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611

or sjordan@timesrepublican.com