Rep. Abby Finkenauer (bottom right) visited the Meskwaki Settlement on August 20 to survey damage from the August 10 derecho. Pictured with Finkenauer are Tribal Chair Judith Bender (bottom left), Meskwaki Executive Director Lawrence SpottedBird (top left), Meskwaki Natural Resources Director Jarrett Pfrimmer (top right), and Meskwaki Media Assistant Kiyanna Pushetonequa (middle right). Photo Provided

The Meskwaki Settlement was among several communities in central and eastern Iowa impacted by the August 10 derecho. Homes were damaged, trees were splintered and uprooted, and residents were without power for several days. Thankfully the Meskwaki Bingo Casino and Hotel provided much needed shelter and housing for hundreds of residents displaced by the disaster.

One key difference in derecho storm recovery for the Settlement is that the Meskwaki Nation is a federally recognized tribe and is not bound to the state of Iowa in the same way cities and counties are.

On August 17 President Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Iowa that included the Public Assistance Program for 16 counties including Tama County and four other surrounding counties. 26 counties are still awaiting a decision whether or not the Individual Assistance Program will be approved as part of the federal disaster aid package.

The Meskwaki Nation are also waiting on FEMA and the federal government to act on their behalf in order to bring federal aid to the Settlement.

Since last week the cities of Tama, Toledo, and others within the region approved for the Public Assistance Program have been able to begin the process of mitigating disaster damage with the reassurance that FEMA funding is behind them.

Aerial footage of derecho damage sustained on the South Farm property within the Meskwaki Settlement. The property houses the Tribe’s Natural Resources and Family Services departments and is positioned along the southern edge of the Settlement, south of the Iowa River and west of Manatt’s. Early damage estimates for the Meskwaki Settlement have reportedly risen above $1 million. Photo courtesy of Meskwaki Media

More than two weeks removed from the derecho, the Meskwaki Nation are still waiting on any sort of decision from FEMA that could provide them federal disaster assistance.

The Iowa Congressional delegation representing the Meskwaki Settlement sent a letter to President Trump on August 20 urging him to grant the funding request made by the Meskwaki Nation.

The letter signed by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa) includes the following:

“We respectfully ask that you promptly grant the request made by the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi of Iowa, known as Meskwaki Nation, as a result of the derecho wind event on August 10, 2020. Major impacts have been felt by the Tribe due to the displacement of residents from home damage, facility damage, loss of power and gas, damage to roadways and infrastructure, and loss of communication services.

The Meskwaki Nation determined that this incident has exceeded its capabilities and capacities to begin to recover from this event. The Tribe is also asking for Hazard Mitigation funding to build back a more resilient infrastructure for its people. Supplementary federal assistance is necessary to protect property, public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster.”

The same day the letter was issued, Rep. Finkenauer visited the Settlement to meet with Tribal Chairperson Judith Bender, Executive Director Lawrence SpottedBird, and staff members of the Tribe’s Emergency Operations Center.

“The damage to the Meskwaki Nation demands more attention and federal aid,” Finkenauer said. “I urge the Administration to approve the Tribe’s request for a major disaster declaration to make sure they get the assistance needed.”

The letter outlines the damage caused by the derecho:

200 homes damaged

600 people displaced

Estimated $338,000 in damage to tribal infrastructure

145,200 cubic yards of debris removed

In an interview with Radio Iowa last week Meskwaki Nation Tribal Emergency Response Manager Roxanne Warnell described the impact of the derecho noting that initial assessments revealed over one million dollars in overall damages.

She went on to say that the Tribe has been working with FEMA and has done work already to collect damage assessments.

“We are thankful that there have been a lot of people who have reached out — such as the Burr Oak Land Trust — sending saw teams in,” Warnell said in the interview. “We are getting donations from food banks, we are getting donations from some of the meat lockers. Everybody in Iowa who can are just stepping up and offering help.”

“The storm has also caused damage to sacred lands and original sites of the Meskwaki ancestor’s settlements, as well as other historical sites,” Finkenauer wrote in the letter. “This comes as the Tribe is still dealing with the fallout of the ongoing pandemic, which has strained their resources. I urge you to not only approve their request quickly, but also work with the Tribe to waive the non-federal cost-share for federal disaster assistance if needed.”

Additionally, Finkenauer spoke on Wednesday with FEMA Regional Administrator Paul Taylor and inquired about the status of the tribe’s request and their engagement with Meskwaki Nation to-date.

“We’re thankful to Congresswoman Finkenauer for taking the time to visit the settlement and meet our chairperson Judith Bender as well as our emergency response team for an update on the damage and the impact this storm had on our community,” Meskwaki Nation Executive Director Lawrence SpottedBird said. “We’ve been frustrated by the slow and cumbersome process for seeking FEMA assistance, and appreciate the congresswoman’s help in advancing our request.”

As of press deadline on Wednesday, decisions from FEMA regarding Meskwaki Nation’s federal disaster assistance and Tama County’s Individual Assistance Program approval were still forthcoming.