The University of Northern Iowa is pleased to announce a public celebration with the Meskwaki Tribal Council as the two entities work to develop a new mission stewardship statement for UNI. The goal of the statement is to guide the university’s mission in ways that honor Native and Indigenous people on campus and throughout the community. 

It will also acknowledge UNI’s presence on land formerly stewarded by members of the Meskwaki Nation, the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa and additional Native groups. The statement is expected to be released by Indigenous Peoples’ Day in October. 

Tuesday’s event, which will follow a closed on-campus listening session, will feature a performance by world champion fancy dancer Larry Yazzie of the Meskwaki Nation. 

It will also coincide with the opening of a new UNI Gallery of Art exhibition of work by Native and Indigenous artists, which was co-curated by UNI alum Angela Waseskuk. The exhibit, titled “The Earth Is a House of Stories,” will draw from UNI’s permanent collection and include artworks from George Longfish (Seneca/Tuscarora), Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Salish/Kootenai), Duane Slick (Meskwaki), Percy Tsisete Sandy (Zuni), and Sheila Arch (Cherokee).

When: Tuesday, Aug. 24 from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Where: The courtyard outside Kamerick Art Building on UNI’s campus

Contact: Steve Schmadeke, UNI public relations manager, 319-273-6120, steve.schmadeke@uni.edu