Meskwaki Woman and Child by a Wickiup in Tama, Iowa, Date Unknown

Description

A Meskwaki woman, child and dog are pictured outside of a dwelling in Tama, Iowa. During the summer months (May to September), the Meskwaki lived in villages located along major rivers in the center of tribal lands. Their homes consisted of poles covered with slabs of elm bark. Several families lived in each town house. Meskwaki women tended gardens near their summer homes. They also gathered food (wild berries, nuts and roots) and collected bark and cattails for weaving baskets and mats.