Meskwaki Higher Education Program

In case you missed the 2026 Honoring our Graduates Celebration and Powwow, here's a link to the Graduation Program. https://meskwaki.aflip.in/eb5cf80f28.html
Photos from the day's event taken by Leland Hamilton, Media Services' new summer intern, and a special graduation edition of the Meskwaki Nation Times, will be coming your way soon!
View this year's Graduation Powwow and others by visiting: https://www.meskwaki.org/video-gallery/

Celebrate with the Graduates Final Meskwaki Nation

Don't forget the beaded/quilled graduation cap contest tomorrow (Saturday, May 30th) during the Graduation Powwow!

Registration: 11:30AM-2:30PM
Audience Voting: 2:30PM-5:30PM
Tally Ballots: 5:30PM-6:30PM
Winners annouced after evening Grand Entry!

Good afternoon - We wanted to share that the quilts for the Class of 2026 have arrived!

We are excited for the graduates to receive them this Saturday, May 30th at the Honoring the Class of 2026 Meskwaki Nation Graduation Powwow!

Honoring the Class of 2026
Meskwaki Nation Graduation Powwow

Saturday, May 30, 2026
Meskwaki Powwow Grounds
168 Battleground Road & E49, Tama, IA 52339

Grand Entries at 1 PM & 7PM
Everyone Welcome & All Dancers & Singers Invited

See attached photos for the SPECIALS FLYERS!

Honoring the Class of 2026 🎓💚❤️
Meskwaki Nation Graduation Powwow

Saturday, May 30, 2026
Meskwaki Powwow Grounds
(168 Battleground Road & E49, Tama, IA)

Grand Entries at 1PM & 7PM

FREE Admission
ALL Dancers & Singers/Drum Groups Invited
Vendors Welcome! Vendor Fee $25, contact Mel at (641) 481-6539

Agenda:
• 1PM: Afternoon Grand Entry
• 5PM: Potluck Meal Served
• 7PM: Evening Grand Entry
• 7:30PM: Meskwaki Higher Education Quilt & Gift Presentation

Head Staff:
• MC: Tyler Lasley
• AD: Jerod Pushetonequa
• Color Guard: Robert Morgan Post 701
• Head Man: Maheengunse "Keki" Bear
• Head Woman: Daelia Lasley
• Host Drum: C**n Hunters

Specials:
◊ Men's 18+ Woodland Spotlight Special - 1st: Woodland Beaded Vest+$500, 2nd: $300, 3rd: $200, 3 Consolation Winners. Sponsored by Family of Keki Bear

◊ Ladies 16+ Applique Special - 1st: $350+Two-Piece Dress+Gift Bag, 2nd: $250+Skirt+Gift Bag, 3rd: $150+Gift Bag, 2 Consolation Winners. Sponsored by Family of Daelia Lasley

◊ Women's 18+ Meskwaki Oldstyle Scrub Special - Prize TBA. Sponsored by Family of Aleena Pushetonequa

◊ Men's Hand Drum Winner-Take-All Special - 1st: $500+Gift Bag. Sponsored by Family of Cyrell & Chayton Etzen

◊ All Ages "Red Dress" Jingle Special - 1st: $300, 2nd: $200, 3rd: $100, 2 Consolations. Sponsored by Family of Jocelyn Parker

◊ Kindergarten-1st Grade Kids Special - Prizes TBA. Sponsored by Family of Jaycene Pushetonequa

◊ Potato Dance Special - Prizes TBA. Sponsored by Family of Shoney Albert

◊ Sweetheart 18+ "Medwayaki" Dance Special - 1st: $200, 2nd: $150, 3rd: $100, $50 Consolation. *Must be in regalia/traditional clothing. Sponsored by Meskwaki Higher Education Program

◊ Beaded/Quilled Graduation Cap Contest - 1st: $200, 2nd: $100, 3rd: $75, (1) Honorable Mention: $25 Regalia Makins Gift Certificate. Sponsored by Regalia Makins, LLC

Accommodations:
Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel
1504 305th St., Tama, IA 52339
1-800-728-4263
Room Block ID # 2026 Graduation Powwow - BKG784

**Special Recognition to Kayla Wanatee, IAIA Graduate for the Design and Artwork used in the Honoring the Class of 2026 Brochure & Powwow Flyer! 💚

Presented by Meskwaki Higher Education. Committee and facility not responsible for accidents, lost or stolen items. Security and first-aid on site.

*Powwow Alternate Location: Meskwaki High School Gym

There are still a few spots left for the Meskwaki-University of Northern Iowa Summer Camp! To register your student for one of those spots, go to the following link:

https://events.blackthorn.io/en/1I1d7Ba7/g/s8ZQBNNzXk/meskwaki-summer-camp-5a3HV42Vgkz/overview?fbclid=IwY2xjawRpgetleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFROWdhTk9MT1pXd0QzeTE4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHttbNYr_Ba_uoXsCs4z0s9FgSqOyArhDL4venZ9OKwrmBl96vSN7qYR6bvKO_aem_HrSC2xHNN-NRjRd2h8MZPg
If you have any questions, call Travis Mullen at the Meskwaki Higher Education Program: 484-3157

Registration for this summer's University of Northern Iowa Meskwaki Summer Camp is now open at the link, below!

This summer's camp will take place from July 14th-17th, and is open to Meskwaki students completing 6th-9th grades.

https://events.blackthorn.io/en/1I1d7Ba7/g/s8ZQBNNzXk/meskwaki-summer-camp-5a3HV42Vgkz/overview

If you have any questions, call Travis Mullen at the Meskwaki Higher Education Program: 484-3157.

** LAST Call for MHE Grant Applications for next Fall 2026 semester due June 1st, 2026. **

- OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS are required after the Spring 2026 semester.

** To All MHE College/University graduates after this Spring semester, please let MHE know so that we may include your name and accomplishments onto the Class of 2026 graduate listings.