On Tuesday, Aug. 24, the University of Northern Iowa and the Meskwaki Nation co-hosted a public celebration in honor of the new cooperative mission between the two entities. The mission between UNI and the Meskwaki Nation includes members of the Sac and Fox triv eof the Mississippi in Iowa among other indigenous groups. Geared toward acknowledging the cultural history of the land which UNI rests upon, the mission is scheduled to be released by Indigenous Peoples’ day in October.

The Tuesday event featured a performance by world champion fancy dancer Larry Yazzie of the Meskwaki Nation. This event coincided with the opening of a brand new exhibition at the UNI Art Gallery of Art. This collection, co-curated by Angela Waseskuk, highlights artwork by Native and Indigenous artists. Some of these works include “The Earth Is a House of Stories” which draws from the permanent collection and incorporates art by George Longfish (Seneca/Tuscarora), Jaune Quick-to-see (Salish/Kootenai), Duane Slick (Meskwaki), Percy Tsiete Sandy (Zuni) and Sheila Arch (Cherokee).