"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
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe is hosting tax preparation for AST tribal members, widows/widowers of AST tribal members and employees, who meet the low-to moderate maximum income threshold of $55,000, for tax year 2018. This free service will be held at Shawnee Multipurpose building, 2029 South Gordon Cooper Dr, every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12 pm.
The Executive Committee has agree to close all businesses (complex closed) on Thursday, February 28, 2019 for a "Day of Mourning" for John L. Sloat First AST Governor and 2014 Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame Inductee. He served in the Korean War and 2 tours in the Vietnam War. He served his country with pride and honor earning several high commendations that included two Silver Stars, two Bronze Star Medals and three Purple Hearts.
Tax Preparation for Tuesday, February 26th and February 28th has been canceled. The next session will be Saturday March 2, 2019 from 9 am to 12 pm at the Multipurpose Building located at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex.
Beading Class that was scheduled for tonight has been postponed. The Part two Class will be on February 28th at 6pm at Little Axe Resource Center in Little Axe. Please contact Kim Billie at 405.275.4030 ext 6416 for any questions.
All Tribal Members and Employees Tax Preparation will not be available on Saturday February 16th 2019, due to the Holiday. Will resume services on Tuesday Feb 19, 2019.