About The Kaw Nation

Facts About the Kaw Nation:

  • The Kaw relocated from Kansas to Oklahoma in 1873 and received individual allotments in 1902.
  • They went on their last communal bison hunt, at the Great Salt Plains, in 1873.
  • The Kaw maintained a relationship with French missionaries, explorers, and merchants from 1673 through 1803.
  • The first female Kaw chief was elected in 1922.
  • The Kaw are closely related to the Osage Nation and Quapaw Nation, other Dhegiha‑Siouan speaking groups.

The Kaw Nation's Original Lands

Kaw Nation Geography

Kaw Nation Geographical Identity:

Plains

Find Your Kaw Nation area(s) by Census Data:

Click to Learn More About the Kaw Nation

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

Contact the Kaw Nation

Physical Address:

698 Grandview Drive
Kaw City, Oklahoma 74641

Mailing Address:

Drawer 50
Kaw City, Oklahoma 74641

Phone:

(580) 269-2552

Website:

Socials:

Kaw Nation Leadership

Highest Elected Official

Chairwoman

Kimberely

Jenkins

Date Elected:

9/30/2022

Next Election Date:

9/30/2026

Kaw Nation Politics

Jurisdiction by County:

  • Kay

Congressional District:

3

Tribal Population:

3,403

Resident Indian Population in Tribal Service Area (HUD 2025):

4,295

Type of Federal Tribal Governance:

Self Governance

Year of Self Governance Entry:

1996

Gaming Compacts by Year:

6/7/2001, 3/11/2005, 8/17/2018, 12/27/2018

Other Oklahoma Compacts:

Tobacco (7/24/2008, 3/11/2013), Burn Ban (3/11/2013), Law Enforcement (11/6/2013)

Kaw Nation Resources

Law Enforcement:

Kaw Nation Tribal Police Department

Jim Sherron, Chief of Police
Office: 580-269-2552 x 228
Personal: 580-761-1199
698 Grandview Dr.
Kaw City, OK 74641

Education and Training:

Kanza Human Development Division

Amanda Wamego
edudir@kawnation.gov
580-749-5420
400 E Central
Suite 206
Ponca City, OK

Childcare Center:

Kaw Nation Child Care Development

Paula Wynn, Director
580-362-3544
96 Charles Curtis Drive
Newkirk, OK 74647

Housing Authority:

Kaw Housing Authority

Debbie Lewman
director@kawhousingauthority.com
580-362-6264
9 Kanza Lane
Newkirk, OK 74647

Behavioral Health Center:

White Eagle Health Center - Behavioral Health

Jake Roberts
jake.roberts@ihs.gov
580-762-3421
580-765-2501
200 White Eagle Dr.
Ponca City, OK 74601

Medical Clinics:

Kanza Health Clinic

Joanna Potter, Director
580-362-1039
3151 E. River Road
Newkirk, OK 74647

Kaw Nation Federal Funding Overview

Unique Identifying Number (UEI): EXZ8JXKFKVA8

Number of Federal Grants in Audit: 49

Tribe Provides Law Enforcement in Jurisdiction or Bureau of Indian Affairs Provides: Tribe

Tribe Provides Indian Child Welfare Services: Yes

Type Amount
Latest Single Audit of Federal Grants, Contracts, and Compacts — Federal Expenditures $14,199,385.00
Latest Single Audit of Federal Grants, Contracts, and Compacts — Federal Awards $16,343,453.00
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Self Governance Annual Funding Agreement $836,671.00
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Aid to Tribal Governments $1,545,323.00
Indian Health Service Compact (IHS): Annual Funding Agreement $1,035,635.00
Indian Health Services (IHS): 93-638 Contracts/Self-Determination Annual Allocation $0.00

Long Range Planning

Type Amount
Grant(s) for Tribal Lands, Climate, Natural Resources, Energy, and/or Water $311,909.00
National Performance Partnership Grant on Environment $0.00
Broadband Grant $0.00
Grant(s) for Language and Cultural Preservation, NAGPRA and/or THPO $46,792.00
Rural Economic Development and/or Community Development, CDFI/Enhancement Grant(s) $320,883.00
Federal Transportation Annual Allocation for Road and Bridge Construction $1,557,333.71
Annual Transportation Planning Allocation $35,593.71
Tribal Public Transit Funds $180,039.00

Protection

Type Funding Amount
Disaster Planning and/or Mitigation Grant(s) $0.00
Homeland Security Grant $0.00
Grant(s) for Justice, Courts, and Community Policing $302,488.00
Adam Walsh (SORNA) and/or Missing Persons Grant(s) $0.00
Provides Violence Against Women and Family Violence Prevention Services $501,844.00
Tribe Offers Child Welfare Social Services (Stephanie Tubbs and/or Child Support Enforcement) $503,067.00
Tribe Offers Promoting Safe and Stable Families (Mary Lee Allen) $74,104.00
Foster Care (Title IV-E) $0.00
Tribe Offers General Assistance Program $0.00
LIHEAP – Tribe Offers Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program $20,214.00

Kaw Nation Health, Wellness, and Social Caring

Number of Clinics: 1

Number of Hospitals: 0

Offers Dental: Yes

Offers Pharmacy: Yes

Offers Residential Treatment: No

Type Amount
Medicare Enrollment Assistance Grant $3,702.00
Special Diabetes Program Grant $234,484.00
Alzheimer Disease Program Grant $0.00
Injury and Suicide Prevention Grant(s) $117,783.00
Behavioral Health Grant(s) – Check with Tribe/Health Clinic for Other Counseling Services $0.00
Rural/Public Health, Demonstration Projects, and/or Child Insurance Grant(s) $0.00
Cancer Prevention and/or Good Health and Wellness Grant(s) and/or Chronic Pain Grant $489,216.00
Opioid and Substance Abuse Program and/or Tobacco Control Grant $0.00
Long-Range Medical Research Grant(s) $0.00
Offers Title VI – A and B (Elder Nutrition) $93,369.00
Offers Title VI – C (Elder Caregiving) $38,069.00
Offers Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program $0.00
Offers Food Distribution, Other Nutrition, Farmer’s Market, and/or Commodities Programs $22,723.00
Veteran Homeless Grant(s) and/or Veterans Cemetery Establishment or Operation Funding $0.00

Kaw Nation Employment, Housing, and Education

Public Law 102-477 Tribe: Yes

Number of Casinos: 2

Offers an Employment Assistance Program: Yes

Number of FTE
Tribal Employees:
300

Housing Managed by Tribe or TDHE: Tribal Designated Housing Entity (TDHE)

Number of Homes Needed by Tribe for Oklahoma: 306

Has a Competitive Indian Community Development Block Grant(s) From US Housing and Urban Development: Yes

Has/Had a Competitive US HUD Indian Housing Block Grant(s) From US Housing and Urban Development: Yes

TypeAmount
Indian Employment, Training, and Education Program(s)$1,958,261.00
Vocational Rehabilitation Program Grant and/or Vocational Funds for Tribal Victims$425,113.00
HUD Annual Allocation for Tribal Housing$681,569.00
Emergency Home and Rental Assistance Grant$142,933.00
DHHS-ACF-CCDF Annual Allocation of Childcare Funds$3,971,380.00
Headstart Program$0.00
Indian School Facility Assistance and Student Transportation$0.00
Indian Equalization Program$0.00
Youth and/or Boys and Girls Clubs and/or AmeriCorps Grant(s)$632.00
Special Education Assistance Grant$0.00