"Lost Nation: The Ioway" -- The Film

The Film

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In the twilight of a Native American empire, two Ioway leaders travel to Washington, D. C. in 1824 to meet with Superintendent of Indian Affairs, William Clark. Both sign a treaty ceding a large portion of tribal land for settlement.

White Cloud sees cooperation as the only way for his people to survive, while Great Walker regrets the loss of land where his ancestors are buried. More territory is lost, and the Ioway people are divided, with some regarding one leader as a traitor, and the other as a patriot. After the tribe is removed, the 36 million acres they once called home is named “Iowa”. Then, they are forgotten.

“Lost Nation: The Ioway” tells the dramatic true tale of two leaders’ struggle to save their people from inevitable American conquest, and the Ioway’s current fight to reclaim and maintain their unique history and culture.

Kelly and Tammy Rundle, the award winning and critically acclaimed filmmakers of "Villisca: Living with a Mystery," began shooting "Lost Nation" in July 2005.

"We hope the film will help to restore this chapter of Iowa's rich heritage to public consciousness," Producer Tammy Rundle said. "We can't change events from long ago, but we think viewers will relate to the courage and perseverance of the Ioway as they struggled with forces that changed their lives forever."

"I grew up with a strong interest in the stories and ways of indigenous people," said Director Kelly Rundle, "Ioway history has been scattered to the four winds and this project provides an opportunity to draw key elements together in an accessible and interactive media project."

The documentary brings together commentary from historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, Ioway Elders, along with new footage of historic sites, historical photographs and documents, art from the Smithsonian and other National museums, music, legends, dances, powwows, and reenactments.

The dramatic saga of Iowa’s early inhabitants will unfold in a 57-minute film that will be available on DVD homevideo, and through public television broadcasts. The DVD will feature an alternative soundtrack in the nearly extinct Ioway language, known as Báxoje (bah-kho’-jay), with English subtitles.

"Lost Nation: The Ioway" will premiere at the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines in October 2007.

Click Here to Preview "Lost Nation: The Ioway"

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