Iowa’s Ethnic Heritage, or “Who Do You Think We Are?”

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Betty Strong Encounter Center auditorium, John Liepa presents Iowa’s Ethnic Heritage, or “Who Do You Think We Are?” Admission is free, but freewill donations encouraged. This interactive talk will let us work together to discover who we are, and who we are becoming as Iowans. Enjoy the unfolding and changing adventure of Iowa’s immigration history. Beginning with the Ioway, one of 17 distinctive indigenous tribal groups, Liepa will trace chronologically who we are as Iowans. From Spanish explorers and French trappers, traders and priests; to the dominant English, Germans and Irish; to Scandinavians, Dutch and Czechs, we will explore why these groups chose to leave their homelands and how they eventually ended up in Iowa. African Americans, Eastern Europeans and Hispanics have different stories to share along with other “newer” Iowans. Liepa is Professor Emeritus of History and Political Science at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC.) He taught courses in Political Science, U.S., and Iowa History from 1972-2010. Since retiring, he has taught courses for the Senior College of Greater Des Moines, OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at Drake University and as an independent presenter on “Iowa’s Role in the Civil War,” Iowa’s Ethnic Heritage, or “Who Do You Think You Are?,” and the “Early History of Baseball in Iowa.” John has been a 24-year-old member and Program Chair of the Des Moines Civil War Roundtable.