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Turkey River Archaeo-Blitz and Celebration of Native American Culture

Apr 22, 2023

10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

23493 Canoe Rd, Elgin, IA 52141

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Turkey River Archaeo-Blitz promo image featuring photos of Native American arts, traditional foods, archaeological artifacts, and a Google map

The University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist is returning to Elgin, Iowa, for our second archaeo-blitz in partnership with the Elgin Historical Society and Meskwaki Nation. This is an all-ages family friendly event featuring: Artifact identification (limit 5 per person, please!), cataloging and care advice, and site recording assistance with OSA archaeologists; traditional crafts demonstrations by Meskwaki and Ho-Chunk artists; a dance performance by Larry Yazzie of Native Pride Dancers; and a fundraiser meal featuring traditional Indigenous foods. A free will donation for this lunch will support the Elgin Historical Society's future "Tribes of the Turkey River" interpretive exhibits.

This community partnership project allows us to record both new archaeological sites and locations of historic Indian presence in Fayette County, a surprisingly under-documented part of Iowa! Part of Iowa's "Neutral Ground," this area is both historically and presently important to the Meskwaki and Ho-Chunk Nations.

Event schedule:

10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Ongoing activities:

  • Traditional arts and crafts demonstrations by Indigenous artists
  • Artifact ID (limit 5 artifacts) and catalog & care tips from OSA archaeologists
  • Confidentially record artifact find locations as sites for the Iowa Site File
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fundraiser lunch featuring traditional Indigenous foods. A free will donation supports the Tribes of the Turkey River project.
2:00-3:00 p.m. Performance by Larry Yazzie, Native Pride Dancers

This project is supported by the University of Iowa Office of the Vice President for Research Community Engaged Scholars program.

Event flyer showing photos of event components and a graphic display of text info in this event listing

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact in advance at