The Missing Map

I know it can be difficult to follow what I write about. I often have trouble keeping all of my thoughts organized. I’m at a point where I’m going to change direction somewhat, and go back through the history of the relationships among Quakers and Native peoples in this land, which I see differently now as a result of recent experiences.

I’ve been working on the following interactive map to visualize what I’m writing about. It is easier to read, and the interactivity is available from this link https://kislingjeff-oss.github.io/missing-map/

I’ll be referring to different parts of this map in the coming blog posts.

Key Historical Content

• Meskwaki: Removed to Kansas 1842–1845 under Treaty of 1842. Bought back Tama County land starting 1856. Now a sovereign nation (~7,000 acres, ~1,400 members).
• Ioway (Báxoje): Removed ~1836 to Great Nemaha Agency (NE/KS border). Quakers ran “Iowa Home” school there.
• Grant Peace Policy 1869–1882: Quakers administered Indigenous affairs across Great Plains, ran 30+ boarding schools.
• 94-Mile Walk, 2018: First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March, Des Moines to Fort Dodge, along Dakota Access Pipeline route. Jeff participated.
• 12-Mile Walk, 1969: Scattergood students to Iowa City, anti-Vietnam War protest. Crossed Meskwaki land without awareness — the map’s origin story.
• Paula Palmer, 2019: Brought “Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples” ministry to Des Moines (presentations) and Scattergood (film on Quaker Indian Boarding Schools + workshops).
• Bear Creek Meeting, Earlham: Quaker meeting in Madison County. Prairie Awakening: annual Indigenous celebration held there.
• GPAS Urban Resilience Hub, Iowa City: Led by Sikowis Nobiss (Great Plains Action Society). Decolonial Repair Network (DRN) created by Sikowis Nobiss and Eric Anglada supports it. Jeff is on DRN planning committee.
• Scattergood 2026: Provides lodging for Hub volunteers.
• Grace Yellowhair Ceremony, July 2024: Held at West Branch (Scattergood grounds). On the map in Scattergood annotation box.
• Jeff Kisling, December 2025: Spoke to Scattergood students about the GPAS Urban Resilience Hub. On the map in Scattergood annotation box and in the interactive Scattergood panel.