Film Producers Kelly and Tammy Rundle will take part in the Villisca Historical Society event, and will be joined later in the program by historian/author Dr. Edgar Epperly.   The Rundles and Epperly received national recognition for their award-winning documentary "Villisca: Living with a Mystery," which thoroughly analyzes the still-unsolved 1912 axe murders of the Josiah Moore family of six, and two overnight guests, Lena and Ina Stillinger.

The Rundles' new documentary, "Lost Nation: The Ioway" was showcased at the Beloit International Film Festival--one of four film festivals in the country hailed by the New York Times as an alternative to Sundance--and placed 2nd out of 40 documentaries in competition.  It is an Official Selection in the Best Documentary category at the Iowa Independent Film Festival.  And, the film took the top Gold Aard in the Professional Documentary competition at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival, and received a special award for the film that best represents the state of Iowa and filmmaking in Iowa.

Film critic Linda Cook of the Quad City Times gave “Lost Nation: The Ioway” 4-out-of-4 stars and said, “The Rundle’s “Ioway” is perfectly complete… A fantastic documentary… You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this film.”

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

Between 1676 and 1812, the Ioway were caught between warring European superpowers culminating in the Louisiana Purchase. The film explores day-to-day activities including farming, hunting, and family and tribal customs, as well as United States Indian policy and its effects.

In 1824, two Ioway brothers traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, William Clark. The brothers sign a treaty ceding a large portion of tribal land for settlement. One brother, White Cloud, sees cooperation as the only way for his people to survive while his brother, Great Walker, regrets the loss of land where his ancestors are buried.

As more territory is lost, the Ioway people become divided – some regard one brother as a traitor and the other as a patriot. After the tribe is removed from its land, the 36 million acres it called home is named “Iowa.” Then, the tribe is forgotten.

The Rundles began shooting the Ioway documentary in July 2005 near Sciola, where it is thought Ioway leader White Cloud was murdered.  Stanton resident and amateur archaeologist John Palmquist brought the story of the Ioway to the Rundles' attention and provided an interview and consulation.

“Sadly, we were among those who had never heard of the Ioway,” said Director Kelly Rundle.  “The Ioway migrated throughout the territory now known as Iowa, and lived and hunted in the Montgomery County area."

"Their story began long before The Forks--later named Villisca--was established," said Producer Tammy Rundle.  "The Ioway culture was and is a vibrant part of Iowa state history, and the nation's history."

The film combines commentary from Ioway Tribal Elders, Ioway Tribal Members, historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists, with new footage of historic sites, historical photographs and documents, artifacts, art from Ioway artists and national museums;   Ioway music, legends, dances, and powwows.

The “Lost Nation: The Ioway” movie event is sponsored by the Villisca Historical Society, Inc. as part of Villisca's Sesquicentennial Celebration and takes place on Saturday, July 5th at the Rialto Theater, 408 3rd Avenue, Villisca, Iowa. 

The one-hour film will screen at 2:00pm, followed by Q&A with film producers Kelly and Tammy Rundle, and Honorary Ioway Tribal Member John Palmquist. 

During the second part of the program, Villisca axe murder expert Dr. Edgar Epperly will join the Rundles on stage to field audience questions about Villisca's darkest night and Iowa's worst mass murder, the 1912 Villisca axe murders.  Excerpts from the new Epperly-Rundle collaborative book on the unsolved case will be shared exclusively at this special sequicentennial event.  Call 712-826-4270 for ticket information.

The Villisca Historical Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit  organization dedicated to developing programs and services to promote public awareness, scholarly research, and appreciation of Villisca's unique history.