GPAS became an official non-profit in 2017. The organization began to form during the NoDAPL resistance movement when Jessica Engelking asked Sikowis Nobiss to go to Standing Rock in August in 2016. From August 2016 to June 2017, they worked tirelessly in both Iowa and North Dakota, bridging the gap between Indigenous communities and rural landowners. In February 2017 Sikowis founded Little Creek Camp, an Indigenous-led resistance hub in Iowa, which moved her to register it as a 501(c)4. 

 

In 2018, Trish Rivers joined and brought an amazing energy while Sikowis was also working with another organization. In 2019, Trisha and Sikowis decided to change the name from Indigenous Iowa to Great Plains Action Society as they felt it was important to move away from colonial border thinking. Also, in 2019, Ronnie James and Jessica Engelking formally joined GPAS and the four of them began their journey of growing GPAS. Since then others have joined and we are a 100% Indigenous led organization. And, in 2022, we switched over to a 50(c)3 status.

 

Our efforts have truly brought the voice and actions of Indigenous Peoples to the forefront of Iowa’s climate and social justice movements which is much needed in the most biologically colonized state in the country and also one of the most fascist states. By uplifting traditional Indigenous ecological and cultural knowledge, we are making it clear that Iowa needs to reMatriate prairie, bring back first foods, and increase Indigenous health, wealth and power.