Lost Nation: The Ioway

The Gathering: Ioway Tribal Members Return Home to Iowa Ancestal Land

On Saturday, October 14, 2023 we were honored to join with others to stand with members of the Northern Ioway Tribe on the first land owned by the Ioway in Iowa since their removal in the early 1800s.

The seven acre circle is located on high ground at Two Horse Farm in Johnson County near Solon. We are still processing the significance of this important moment and its meaning for the future.

The gathering at Cangleska Wakan included a traditional meal, Ioway site visit, singing and drumming, and a gift exchange.

Larry Gullett with Johnson County Conservation, the Brian and Erin Melloy family, the Duane Scates family and Lance Foster of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebreska,  are among those who made this rematriation of land to the Ioway possible. Along with all those who attended, we sincerely welcome our Ioway friends home.

We share our photo gallery of this beautiful day with you below.

Tammy & Kelly Rundle, Fourth Wall Films
Lost Nation: The Ioway

Larry Gullett, Director of Johnson County Conservation guides the Ioway Tribal Members and others from the group to the 7 acres at Two Horse Farm donated to the Ioway people. Many volunteers from Johnson County Conservation organized, arranged, transported and assisted in the momentous celebration.

Northern Ioway Tribal Members are called forward at the ridge of their Iowa land to receive a blessing by Rob Knuth, a Sisseton Lakota.

Gathering attendees John & Kristen Rummelhart welcome the Ioway home.

Gathering attendees welcome the Ioway home with handshakes and hugs.

Ioway Duane Scates (left) and son Nate (center) are joined by others from their drum circle to sing forthe gathering at Cangleska Wakan .

Ioway Brett Ramey speaks to those gathered about the Ioway of the past and of the future.

Following singing by Ioway Nate Scates and the other drummers, the gift exchange began.  Ioway Duane Scates (center) presented Larry Gullett with a gift of a Pendleton blanket.

Melinda Scates presented squash, homemade foods, and honey from the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska's Bee Farm to Larry Gullett. 

Larry Gullett presented Mark Edwards of BewildRewild with the gift of a Pendleton blanket.

Larry Gullett presented Irma White (Omaha and Winnebago tribes) with a gift and a hug. Irma cooked for two days for the gathering. She prepared delicious Native American fry bread, buffalo soup, and chicken and wild rice soup for the lunch meal.

Larry Gullett presented gifts to Ioway friends Duane & Melinda Scates (right), their son Nate Scates, Rob Knuth (Sisseton Lakota), Ioway land donors Brian & Erin Melloy (center), Cangleska Wakan land donors Dick Schwab and Katherine Burford, Irma White (a member of the Omaha and Winnebago tribes of Nebraska), Ioway Olivia Brien and other representatives of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.

The Rundles with land donors Erin & Brian Melloy and Erin's parents Enid and Pat Cancilla (the original owners of Two Horse Farm).

For more information about the site, click here: https://inhf.org/blog/blog/returning-home/

Aho! Indigenous Peoples Day

To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, we are streaming "Lost Nation: The Ioway - Part One" FREE. Thank you for sharing this link! https://vimeo.com/872603069

Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska Fall Encampment & Powwow Sept. 15-17 in White Cloud, KS

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Powwow set for June 16-18 in Perkins, Oklahoma

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma's Powwow is June 16-18, 2023 in Perkins, Oklahoma.  The event draws people from all over the country to celebrate dance, culture and heritage.

Grand Entries are: June 16 at 8 p.m., June 17 at 7 p.m., June 18 at 7 p.m.. All adult contesters must make TWO Grand Entries

Vendors contact  Kent Tehauno 405-788-9990.

Pow Wow Committee:  Hinglu Huber (405-780-3869), Leslie Tanyan (405-245-9953), Kent Tehauno (405-788-9990), and Greg “Hoagie” Miller (918-873-7058)

Visit https://www.bahkhoje.com/tourism/pow-wow/ for more details.

"Lost Nation: The Ioway" Program draws Capacity Crowd at Botanical Center

Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films gave a presentation on their award-winning LOST NATION: THE IOWAY documentary film series to a capacity crowd at Black Hawk College's PACE program held at the Botanical Center in Rock Island, Illinois. The event was so popular 30 had to be turned away.

Excerpts from each of the three documentaries in the series were screened and the filmmakers took part in an active Q&A following the film viewings.

"We had a wonderful and memorable afternoon presenting the Ioway films to an enthusiastic crowd," said producer Tammy Rundle. "We always enjoy revisiting the Ioway story and seeing Ioway friends that we've made over the years. IOWAY will always be a special and important documentary project for us."

To purchase Fourth Wall Films' award-winning Lost Nation: The Ioway DVD series, click HERE!

"Ioway" film screens at Atchison Cultural Center Nov. 19 as part of 'Ioway: Here to Stay' Art Exhibit

The award-winning documentary Lost Nation: The Ioway by Emmy award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will screen FREE to the public Saturday November 19th 1-3 p.m. at the Atchison Cultural Center, 111 N. 8th Street, Atchison, Kansas, as part of the Ioway: Here to Stay Art Exhibit. The film tells the dramatic true tale of two brothers' struggle to save their people from inevitable American conquest, and the Ioway's current fight to reclaim and maintain their unique history and culture.

 

"We will have popcorn, cider and lots of good conversations around this moving documentary film playing in conjunction with the Cultural Center's current exhibit, Ioway Here to Stay," the website states.

The Ioway: Here to Stay Art Exhibit reflects past and present artwork showing how the Ioway culture has progressed, changed, and has been influenced through time. 

Learn about the tribe, their name, lifestyle, relocation, struggles with assimilation, and their revitalization. Vibrant contemporary art demonstrates the resilience of a colorful culture and celebrates that Native people are still here. Open now until February 2023.

The event and exhibit are made possible by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, the Potawatomi Tribe, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Cray Foundation, and the Atchison Art Council.

To purchase Fourth Wall Films' award-winning Lost Nation: The Ioway DVD series, click HERE!

Baxoje Fall Encampment set for Sept. 16-18

The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska's Annual Fall Encampment is September 16-18, 2022 in White Cloud, Kansas.  The event draws people from all over the country to celebrate dance, culture and heritage.

The pow wow begins Friday evening, September 16 with Camp Night. 7 p.m. a potluck will take place at the Cook Shack. After sunset, a screening of the documentary Kiss the Ground will take place on the pow wow grounds (Bring your own chair).

Saturday, September 17 Registration opens at 10 a.m. Gourd dancing begins at 11 a.m. Following the noon lunch break, the Grand Entry will take place at 1 p.m.

Registration will close at 5 p.m. and the supper break will begin. Gourd dancing begins at 6 p.m. Grand Entry is at 7 p.m. The Princess and Jr. Princess contest will take place during the evening.

Sunday, September 18 Registration opens at 11 a.m. and Gourd Dancing begins. Registration will close at noon during the lunch break. Grand Entry will take place at 1 p.m.

For more information, visit https://www.iowatribeofkansasandnebraska.com/

To purchase Fourth Wall Films' award-winning Lost Nation: The Ioway DVD series, click HERE!

Nation-Wide Civic Season Features "Lost Nation: The Ioway" Indian Boarding School Segment

It's year two for #CivicSeason and once again Fourth Wall Films joins the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, First Americans Museum, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the Putnam Museum, and more than 300 organizations nation-wide to celebrate what it means to be an American citizen.

A clip from the award-winning "Lost Nation: The Ioway 2" (the series) is featured! Click HERE to view.

Sarah James and Annie Assefa from the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska visit Genoa U.S. Indian Boarding School in Nebraska

"The Civic Season will be held each summer from Juneteenth through July 4th, a time to turbo-charge our democracy with micro-actions from learning to service."

To purchase or stream Fourth Wall Films' award-winning Lost Nation: The Ioway DVD series, click HERE!

Mae Murray Sine Walks On

 

We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of our friend Mae Murry Sine. We had the privilege of interviewing Mae for "Lost Nation: The Ioway 1" in 2006, and again in 2012 for Parts 2 & 3. We are very grateful for her wisdom and kind counsel as we produced these documentary films. She cared deeply for her people and their ways, and was an unceasing advocate for the history and culture of the Ioway people.

 

Mae Murray Sine (second from the left) and others attend a showing of "Lost Nation: The Ioway 2 & 3" in Miami, Oklahoma in December 2013.

 

Mae's official obituary: https://strodefh.com/book-of-memories/4826178/Sine-Mae/obituary.php

 

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Loses Their Eldest Member, Mae Murray Sine ÑíkigreMi (Where Waters Meet Woman), Bear Clan.

 

Iowa Tribal member Mae Murray Sine passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the age of 92. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at the Iowa Tribal Cemetery in Perkins.

 

Mae was born in Poteau, Oklahoma to Franklin M and Martha McGlashin Murray on September 5, 1929. She married Riley “Papa” Sine in Stillwater and was a tribal leader. As a member of the Native American Church, she was in service to others and enjoyed growing beautiful flowers.

 

She was raised in Ioway Indian Country. The Ioway traditional, spiritual, and cultural values instilled in her early childhood provided points of reference, balance and harmony in our way of life.

 

Mrs. Sine comes from a family of Tribal leaders. Her interest and contributions have been in Tribal government, and the interest and welfare of the Ioway People. Her six elected terms of Office to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Business Committee has provided her the opportunity to serve her people. In 2002, during an interview, she was quoted as saying:

“Our traditional ways, cultural values and spirituality has given us strength and created a balance and harmony in our way of life. The Iowa people had a traditional and social structure of understanding, respect, compassion, humility, caring and generosity for one another. Some may say the tradition is of times past, and that is right for them. For others it is the oral history of who we are as Iowa people. To disregard these teachings could lead to the disorder of the balance and harmony. The language is almost extinct. Eventually, we may become a society with no power and authority.”

 

Mrs. Sine was an active participant in strategic planning efforts of Iowa Tribal business programs, and in developing educational, health, cultural, and Tribal Assistance Programs.

In 1977, she assisted her father, Franklin M. Murray in preparing his Ioway language classes and booklet titled “IOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA LANGUAGE.”

 

In the “Year of the Indian 1992” she was one of Native American Indian women recognized by the State of Oklahoma and was presented a Citation of Recognition for “Indian women who serve as elected tribal officials in tribal government.”

 

In addition, Mrs. Sine was selected as the first Iowa Tribal woman to receive a Medal of recognition in 2009 at the 1st Annual AARP American Indian Elder Honorees banquet.

Survivors include children Jackie Nell Young-Daugherty, Rickford Ross Sine (Kaye) and Gabrielle Sine; nephews Perri Ahhaitty, Frank J Murray; niece Donna Murray Reichanbac; grandchildren Patrick Rosse Daughtery (Tracy); great granddaughter Paige Riley Daugherty; and adopted daughter Jill Primeax-Hunter.

 

Serving as pallbearers will be Patrick Daugherty, Perri Ahhaitty, Frankie Jo Murray, Curtis Washington, Eagle McClellan, and Deon Joseph. Honorary pallbearers are Rickford Sine and Elwood McClellan, Jr.

 

The family would like to express their appreciation and thanks to friends, Strode Funeral Home and the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma for their care and concern during this difficult time. And a special thank you to sister Noel Gover and niece Ashlee Jacobsen.

"Ioway 3" screens during Arkhaios Film Festival Oct. 5-11

Lost Nation: The Ioway 3--from the 3-part award-winning film series Lost Nation: The Ioway 1, 2 & 3 (2013) produced by Fourth Wall Films--will screen out-of-competition at the upcoming virtual edition of the 8th Annual Arkhaios Cultural Heritage & Archaeology Film Festival in South Carolina October 5th-11th. 

The FREE film festival is open to the public and will be held online this year due to COVID-19.  To find out how to view the film festival Official Selections and the side-bar films, including Ioway 3, visit https://arkhaiosfilmfestival2020.eventive.org/films. Pre-Registration will start by the 26th of September.

"Arkhaios is a free festival, juried competition, presenting films from around the world, half of them for the first time in the USA," states the website.

Ioway director Kelly Rundle served as the film festival Jury President, and helped coordinate the selection of this year's award-winners.  A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania version of the film festival will also be held online this year.  

A Forgotten Tale of American Conquest and Native Survival

Lost Nation: The Ioway 1 (1700-1836) & Lost Nation: The Ioway 2 (1837-1878) screened previously at the Arkhaios Cultural Heritage & Archaeology Film Festival in South Carolina in competition.

Lost Nation: Ioway 3 (1879-1970s)
As two separate Nations, the Ioway entered the 20th century amid American Indian policies aimed at Native American assimilation. From the Ghost Dance to the American Indian Movement, the Ioway experienced cultural disintegration and rebirth.  Successful land claims in the 1970s propelled both tribes toward greater self-determination and a revival of time-honored Native traditions. (56 min) Click HERE to view the film at the film festival October 5-11, 2020.

To purchase Fourth Wall Films' award-winning Lost Nation: The Ioway DVD series, click HERE!