The Native Artifacts assignment is an opportunity to investigate some artifacts specifically related to the Native Americans in our area. I found artifacts directly related to the Ioway Indians because the tribe was one of the prominent ones in Northern Missouri.

This first artifact I have is actually a Non Native Artifact, but it could have belonged to the Ioway Indians; specifically, Chief Dave Tohee. It is a President Zachary Taylor peace medal. This artifact is dated between 1849 and 1900 which corresponds with a great deal of disruption for the Ioway Indians.

Data Source: National Museum of the American Indian

Catalog Number: 24/449

This artifact is a picture of Ioway Indians who are said to have traveled to London in 1844. The description of the picture says that some of the Ioways pictured are The White Cloud, The Walking Rain, The Blistered Feet, etc. Like the picture above, the mid 19th century was a turbulent time for the Ioways and I am surprised that members of the tribe traveled to London.

Data Source: National Anthropological Archives

Local Call Number: NAA INV 10000931/OPPS NEG 3925 A

Negative 3925 A, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

 

This Indian Pipe is said to have been found in 1824 by the Missouri River. It was given to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 1866 by John Varden and is said to be an Ioway Indian artifact. The fact that this pipe was found by the Missouri River proves that the Ioways either traveled all the way South to the Missouri River or traded with people who traveled those trade routes.

Data Source: NMNH – Anthropology Dept.

USNM Number: E1762-0

All of these artifacts are related to the Ioway Indians from the 19th century. This era was one of the primary times that the Ioway’s faced removal from their lands by the colonial powers. The fact that these artifacts have survived is a testament to how important they were to the Ioways.