"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
On Thursday, the Absentee Shawnee Tribe was notified an employee was PROBABLE for COVID-19. We have not received confirmation at this time; however, out of an abundance of caution we have decided to close the Shawnee complex Thursday (July 9th) and Friday (July 10th). Our cleaning crews will start a terminal cleaning process tomorrow. All areas this individual may have visited will be deep cleaned to help prevent the spread of infection. We will keep you updated on this situation.
Over the last several days we have watched the COVID-19 numbers grow. Tuesday’s positive cases increased by 858; Wednesday’s positive cases increased by 673. In an attempt to protect citizens, communities across Oklahoma and some counties within AST boundaries have started to issue the mandatory wearing of masks – including the City of Norman. Please continue to follow CDC guidelines. We have attached a graphic as a reminder of some precautions you can take to protect you and your family.
Tribal members, COVID-19 case numbers are on the rise. As we are heading into a holiday weekend, I would like to remind you to continue to take precautions and follow CDC guidelines. Please continue to wear a mask when you can. Also, take a look at this article published by the CDC on how to help slow the spread of the virus.
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation. For the safety of our members and employees, we have decided to remain in Phase II until further notice. Restrictions remaining in place are as follows:
Continued mandatory temperature/symptom checkpoint upon entry into the complex
Shawnee Complex will be open to tribal members by appointment only.
Due to the rise of Covid cases and out of abundance of safety for our ICW children and staff, the ICW department will be available by appointment only, effective Thursday, June 25, 2020. Temperatures will be taken upon entry and masks will be issued as needed. The ICW staff can be reached by phone, 405.395.4490, Monday-Friday; 8am -5pm.
Convid-19 checks are being processed by the Finance Department on a rolling basis as we receive the applications from the Secretary’s Office. You will receive your check by mail; there are no exceptions. Please do no contact the Finance Department asking :”Where is my check?” Calling will not drive us any quicker. Your application and check is being processed as quickly as possible.