Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

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About The Absentee Shawnee Tribe

Facts About the Absentee Shawnee Tribe:

  • The Shawnee were originally part of the Algonquin-speaking tribes.
  • The name “Shawnee” means “southerner.”
  • Historically known for their resistance against European encroachment.
  • Tecumseh, a notable Shawnee leader, played a significant role in Native American history.
  • The Absentee Shawnee were one of the three federally recognized Shawnee tribes.

Click to Learn More About the Absentee Shawnee

Read about the storied heritage of the Absentee Shawnee, including its cultural influence and historical journey to Oklahoma, through resources at the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Absentee Shawnee's Original Lands

Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois

Absentee Shawnee Resources

Behavioral Health Center:

Shawnee Clinic Behavioral Health Services

Dr. Nael
snael@astribe.com
405-878-4716
2029 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.,
Shawnee, OK 74801

Housing Authority:

Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority

Sherry Drywater
s.drywater@ashousingauthority.com
405-273-1050
107 N. Kimberly Avenue,
Shawnee, OK 74801

Education and Training:

Absentee Shawnee 477 Department

Briana Ponkilla,
briana.ponkilla@astribe.com
405-275-4030 x 3507
2025 S Gordon Cooper Dr.,
Shawnee, OK 74801

Childcare Center:

Building Blocks Child Development Center II

Barbra Pope, Director
405-878-0633
2025 S Gordon Cooper Dr.,
Shawnee, OK 74801

Law Enforcement:

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Police

Brad Gaylord, Chief
405-275-3200
2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.,
Shawnee, OK 74801

Medical Clinics:

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System Shawnee Clinic

Chris Larkin,
MBA, FACHE, CHC
405-878-5850
2029 S. Gordon Cooper Drive,
Shawnee, OK 74801

Absentee Shawnee Jurisdiction and Geography

Absentee Shawnee Geographical Identity:

Northeast

Oklahoma Jurisdiction by County:

  • Cleveland
  • Pottawatomie

Absentee Shawnee Tourism + Celebrations

  • Types of Amenities: History, Arts & Culture
  • Number of Hotels: Tribal Verification Required
  • Number of RV Parks: Tribal Verification Required
  • Number of Concert Venues: 1
  • Number of Restaurants: Tribal Verification Required
  • Family Activities: Yes
  • Medical Tourism: No
  • Museum Open to Public?: Yes
  • Visit Museum Website
  • Open Annual Celebration: Yes
  • Annual Celebration Date:
    Tribal Verification Required

Contact the Absentee Shawnee

Address:

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801

Phone:

405-275-4030

Email:

astinfo@astribe.com

Website:

Visit the Absentee Shawnee Website

Socials:

Absentee Shawnee Politics

Governor:

John Raymond Johnson

Term of Office:

4 Years

Elections Held:

Every 4 years

Term Begins in:

Varies

Congressional District:

OK-4 and OK-5

Decision Making Bodies:

Executive Committee

Economy Authority Governed by:

Tribal Verification Required

Health Board Governed by:

Tribal Verification Required

House Board Governed by:

Tribal Verification Required

Audited Federal Grant Awards:

Tribal Verification Required

Absentee Shawnee Cultural Facts

Number of Members:

4661

General Council Held:

Annually

Public Legislative Meetings Held:

Monthly

Registered Voters:

Tribal Verification Required

Percentage of Voters in Last Highest Leader Election:

Tribal Verification Required%

Active Clans:

Tribal Verification Required

Traditionally Matriarchal:

Yes

Language Status:

Tribal Verification Required

The Absentee Shawnee Social Services and Programs

  • Offers Indian Child Welfare: Yes
  • Youth Programs Offered To: Indian youth only
  • Number of Hospitals: 0
  • Number of Clinics: 3
  • Offers Dental and Vision: Yes
  • Offers Public Transit: No
  • Offers Veterans Program: Yes
  • Number of Housing Units: Tribal Verification Required
  • HUD’s # of Homes Needed: 1263
  • Offers Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Counseling To:
    Tribal employees, Tribal members, All Indians in jurisdiction
  • Offers Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) To :
    Tribal members, All Indians in jurisdiction
  • Offers Food Distribution:
    Commodity boxes, Vouchers
  • Food Give-Away Frequency:
    Monthly distribution, Emergency, As needed
  • Offers Childcare To:
    Tribal members, All Indians in jurisdiction
  • Offers Afterschool Care:
    Tribal members, All Indians in jurisdiction
  • Offers Healthcare To:
    Tribal members, All Indians in jurisdiction
  • Offers Elder Lunch and Activities (Title VI):
    Tribal employees, Tribal members, All Indians in jurisdiction
  • Offers Housing to:
    Tribal members, All Indians in jurisdiction
  • Emergency Housing Offered:
    By Housing, By Domestic Violence Program

The Absentee Shawnee Economy, Budget, and Employment

The Absentee Shawnee Budget

  • Annual Operating Budget: Tribal Verification Required
  • Percentage of Budget Funded by Federal Grants : Tribal Verification Required
  • Percentage of Budget Funded by BIA Tribal Allocation : Tribal Verification Required
  • Percentage of Budget Funded by IHS: Tribal Verification Required
  • Percentage of Budget Funding by Gaming: Tribal Verification Required
  • Percentage of Budget Funded by Tribal Business Taxes: Tribal Verification Required

The Absentee Shawnee Economy

  • Banking + Lending: Tribal Verification Required
  • Energy: Tribal Verification Required
  • Farming and Ranching: Tribal Verification Required
  • Manufacturing: Tribal Verification Required
  • Oil and Gas: Tribal Verification Required
  • Services: Tribal Verification Required
  • Transportation: Tribal Verification Required
  • Utilities: Tribal Verification Required

The Absentee Shawnee Employees

  • Total Number of Employees: 653
  • Total Number of Indian Employees: Tribal Verification Required
  • Total Number of Non-Indian Employees: Tribal Verification Required

The Absentee Shawnee Law, Compacts, and Contracts

The Absentee Shawnee Law and Order

  • Operates a Tribal Court: Yes
  • Offers Drug Court: No
  • Operates a Law Enforcement Department: Yes
  • Number of Law Enforcement Officers: Tribal Verification Required
  • Cross Deputized: County Sheriff, Police Department

The Absentee Shawnee Compacts and Agreements

  • Compacted BIA: Yes
  • Compacted IHS: Yes
  • Per Capita Payments: No
  • Issues tribal license plates: Yes
  • Issues License Tags: Yes
  • Gaming Compact: Yes
  • Fuel Compact: No
  • Alcohol Compact: Yes
  • Tobacco Compact: Yes

The Absentee Shawnee Contracts and Programs

  • Federal Contractor NAICS:
    Tribal Verification Required
  • TERO: Tribal Verification Required
  • PL 102-477 Tribe: Yes
  • Click to View PL 102-477 Plan

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