"Procession Before War Dance", Ernest Spybuck Credit: National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (02/5735).
Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe is primarily located in the heart of central Oklahoma with approximately 4,675 members who live in all parts of the world as of as of June 30, 2024. Our tribal government complex is located in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Our logo features Tecumseh, a Shawnee warrior and visionary leader, who worked to unite tribes in a common homeland where Indians could live under their own laws and leaders. He died in October 1813, in battle near the area of present day Thamesville, in Toronto, Canada. The LI-SI-WI-NWI in our logo means “Among the Shawnee”
Latest Announcements & Upcoming Events
Most Recent
AST Day/Labor Day Closures
Announcement
Special Executive Committee Meeting
Meeting
Betty Lou "Marty" Watson
Obituary
477 Department has temporarily moved off AST campus
Announcement
Enrollment Closure August 12-16, 2024
Announcement
AST Day/Labor Day Closures
In honor of AST Day and Labor Day,
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe will be closed
Friday August 30 (AST Day) and Monday September 2 (Labor Day) 2024.
Betty Lou "Marty" Watson, age 83 of Norman, Oklahoma, passed from this life Friday, August 2, 2024 at her home in Norman, Oklahoma.
She was born September 15, 1940 in Norman, Oklahoma to Harry and Lillie (Sloan) MaHardy.
Betty grew up in Little Axe, Oklahoma and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1958. She attended Haskell Institute and graduated in 1960. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma.
She married her first husband, Herbert "Hap" Harjo and had sons; Michael Ray Harjo, and Brian Keith Harjo Watson. She later married M. Frank Watson in 1973 in Las Vegas, NV and gained three stepsons.
Betty was self-employed as an entrepreneur. She owned and operated several businesses, such as a custom home building company, an oil and gas company, a race horse training and breeding ranch, an industrial cleaning chemical company, a precious metal recycling company and was a licensed pilot. She was a tribal consultant that was instrumental in obtaining grants and intergovernmental agreements, that are used to this day. She was a big fan of the OKC Thunder and the Kansas City Chiefs, and was proud to be an Absentee Shawnee tribal member.
She is preceded in death by; her parents; her husband, Frank Watson; her infant daughter; her son Michael Ray Harjo; her sisters, Evelyn MaHardy Johnson, and Virginia MaHardy Sutton; her brother, Roy MaHardy; her niece, Linda Ellis; her nephew, Ronald "Sonny" Johnson; her loving companion, Marty Ellis.
Survivors include; son, Brian Keith Watson of Norman, OK; aunts, Esteline (Sloan) Schulenberg, Majorie Kaniatobe of Norman, OK, and Jenifer Sloan of Tecumseh, OK; step-sons, Vince Watson and Carol of Mannford, OK; Tracy Watson and Jo Ann of Prattville, OK; Lance Watson of Tulsa; step-grandchildren, Christi Fouts and Kyle of Berryhill, OK; Brittany Streeval and Colin of Berryhill, OK; Travis Watson and Lauren of OKC; and Ryan Watson of OKC; step-great-grandchildren, Deklynd Fouts, Asher Fouts, Hadley Streeval, Tyson Watson, Tate Watson, Jaxon Watson, McKenzie Watson, Kaden Watson, E'lise Watson; lifelong friends, Rose Wilson, Rev. Marilyn Bread, James Ross, Antone Rolette, Glenna Wallace, Vanna Barger, Ella Coleman, and Atheda Fletcher; numerous loving neices, nephews and other family and friends.
477 Department has temporarily moved off AST campus
The 477 Department has temporarily moved off AST campus! We are now located at: 421 N. Beard St. Shawnee, OK 74801
We will be accepting walk-ins starting Monday August 12th, 2024!
Please call: 405.275.4030
Email: 477program@astribe.com
Website: https://www.astribe.com/477-program
Due to an increase in community spread, the Absentee Shawnee Tribe has determined that it is in the best interest of our employees and tribal members to revert back to Phase 1 of the AST Recovery Plan. Effective, Monday, July 27, the Tribal Complex will be open to essential staff and the Executive Committee ONLY. You may continue to conduct business via phone, e-mail, and postal service. We will update you on our plans for reopening when more information is available.
The Executive Committee is pleased to announce the passage of a resolution approving Phase 1 of our CARES funding plan. This resolution includes projects that are for emergency response needs with high priority projects in the areas of Healthcare, Tribal Projects, and Emergency Management. The total approved for Phase 1 is $13,815,110.
July 16, 2020, Building Blocks III in Little Axe, has closed temporarily due to an employee COVID-19 exposure. During this time the building will be professionally cleaned and sanitized. The Emergency Management team is working closely with the Building Blocks staff and they will continue to keep a close eye on the situation.
Today a regular Executive Committee meeting was conducted with the newly elected members. Please welcome Treasurer Joseph Blanchard, Representative Alicia Miller and Lt. Governor Kenneth Blanchard (re-elected).
Due to safety precautions the AST Enrollment Department will be closed until July 23rd. Tribal members can contact Enrollment by email at AWebb@astribe.com or ASTwelfarefund@astribe.com.
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe and Thunderbird Entertainment want to inform our tribal members, employees and guests that on July 9, the Thunderbird Casino in Norman received confirmation that two employees tested positive for COVID-19. The employees were on site the evening of July 8; both were properly wearing mandated personal protective equipment (PPE). The employees are recovering and are currently quarantined at home.