Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma

About The Ponca Tribe

Facts About the Ponca Tribe Of Indians Of Oklahoma:

  • The pipe featured on the Ponca seal reminds members to “always respect the sacred pipe” as their ancestors were instructed.
  • According to oral tradition, the Ponca split from the Omaha Tribe before 1800 since later maps show the tribes living separately.
  • In 1878 after arriving in Indian Territory, the tribe informally split into northern and southern bands, the former returning to Nebraska.
  • The Ponca contributed to the development of the Southern Plains powwow culture as seen today—most notable was their introduction of Fancy Dance.
  • In 1918, three Ponca men helped cofound the Native American Church (Peyoteism), serving as president, treasurer, and a general council member.

The Ponca Tribe's Original Lands

Ponca Tribe Geography

Ponca Tribe Geographical Identity:

Plains

Find Your Ponca Tribe area(s) by Census Data:

Click to Learn More About the Ponca Tribe

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

Contact the Ponca Tribe

Physical Address:

101 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601

Mailing Address:

101 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601

Phone:

(580) 762-8104

Website:

Socials:

Ponca Tribe Leadership

Highest Elected Official

Chairman

Trey

Howe

Date Elected:

3/31/2024

Next Election Date:

3/18/2028

Ponca Tribe Politics

Jurisdiction by County:

  • Kay
  • Noble

Congressional District:

3

Tribal Population:

4,055

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

7,441

Type of Federal Tribal Governance:

Self Governance

Year of Self Governance Entry:

1999

Gaming Compacts by Year:

2/8/2002, 10/3/2005

Other Oklahoma Compacts:

Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Resources

Law Enforcement:

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

Education and Training:

Ponca Tribe Higher Education

Tara Littlecook
highereducation@ponca-nsn.gov
580-763-0120
121 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, OK 74601

To pick up an application:
Reception Desk
​121 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, OK 74601

Childcare Center:

Ponca Tribe Early Childhood Center

Lindsey Gonzales, Director
580-762-7927
228 White Eagle Dr.
Ponca City, OK 74601

Housing Authority:

Ponca Tribal Housing Authority

Deidre Bigheart-Yerbic
deidre.bigheart-yerbic@ponca-nsn.gov
580-762-5909
100 White Eagle Drive
Unit 14
Ponca City, OK 74601

Behavioral Health Center:

White Eagle Health Center - Behavioral Health

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

Medical Clinics:

White Eagle Health Center

Deborah Margerum, Director
580-765-2501
200 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, OK 74601

Ponca Tribe Federal Funding Overview

Unique Identifying Number (UEI): TLNABGNSKQ87

Number of Federal Grants in Audit: 47

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

Tribe Provides Indian Child Welfare Services: Yes

Type Amount
Latest Single Audit of Federal Grants, Contracts, and Compacts — Federal Expenditures $29,317,708.00
Latest Single Audit of Federal Grants, Contracts, and Compacts — Federal Awards $33,873,975.00
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Self Governance Annual Funding Agreement $2,036,876.00
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Aid to Tribal Governments $0.00
Indian Health Service Compact (IHS): Annual Funding Agreement $7,621,694.00
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 $150,163.00
National Performance Partnership Grant on Environment $0.00
Broadband Grant $0.00
Grant(s) for Language and Cultural Preservation, NAGPRA and/or THPO $19,362.00
Rural Economic Development and/or Community Development, CDFI/Enhancement Grant(s) $0.00
Federal Transportation Annual Allocation for Road and Bridge Construction $802,544.56
Annual Transportation Planning Allocation $18,342.59
Tribal Public Transit Funds $275,882.00

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 $665,202.00
Adam Walsh (SORNA) and/or Missing Persons Grant(s) $0.00
Provides Violence Against Women and Family Violence Prevention Services $28,747.00
Tribe Offers Child Welfare Social Services (Stephanie Tubbs and/or Child Support Enforcement) $351,824.00
Tribe Offers Promoting Safe and Stable Families (Mary Lee Allen) $42,653.00
Foster Care (Title IV-E) $0.00
Tribe Offers General Assistance Program $0.00
LIHEAP – Tribe Offers Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program $57,898.00

Ponca Tribe Health, Wellness, and Social Caring

Number of Clinics: 1

Number of Hospitals: 0

Offers Dental: Yes

Offers Pharmacy: Yes

Offers Residential Treatment: Yes

Type Amount
Medicare Enrollment Assistance Grant $0.00
Special Diabetes Program Grant $63,847.00
Alzheimer Disease Program Grant $0.00
Injury and Suicide Prevention Grant(s) $67,871.00
Behavioral Health Grant(s) – Check with Tribe/Health Clinic for Other Counseling Services $226,801.00
Rural/Public Health, Demonstration Projects, and/or Child Insurance Grant(s) $1,427,817.00
Cancer Prevention and/or Good Health and Wellness Grant(s) and/or Chronic Pain Grant $0.00
Opioid and Substance Abuse Program and/or Tobacco Control Grant $442,585.00
Long-Range Medical Research Grant(s) $0.00
Offers Title VI – A and B (Elder Nutrition) $130,027.00
Offers Title VI – C (Elder Caregiving) $14,909.00
Offers Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program $0.00
Offers Food Distribution, Other Nutrition, Farmer’s Market, and/or Commodities Programs $4,725.00
Veteran Homeless Grant(s) and/or Veterans Cemetery Establishment or Operation Funding $0.00

Ponca Tribe Employment, Housing, and Education

Public Law 102-477 Tribe: No

Number of Casinos: 2

Offers an Employment Assistance Program: Yes

Number of FTE
Tribal Employees:
190

Housing Managed by Tribe or TDHE: Tribe Operates

Number of Homes Needed by Tribe for Oklahoma: 519

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: No

TypeAmount
Indian Employment, Training, and Education Program(s)$256,074.00
Vocational Rehabilitation Program Grant and/or Vocational Funds for Tribal Victims$617,148.00
HUD Annual Allocation for Tribal Housing$1,199,746.00
Emergency Home and Rental Assistance Grant$624,891.00
DHHS-ACF-CCDF Annual Allocation of Childcare Funds$898,954.00
Headstart Program$318,207.00
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)$212,108.00
Special Education Assistance Grant$0.00