Absentee Shawnee Tribe

Hi ho ne ho wa se we ki ni

(Hello my good friend.)

"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 4,723 members who live in all parts of the world as of as of December 31, 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

4th of July Closure

Announcement

Public Hearing Notice

Announcement

Juneteenth Closure

Announcement

4th Annual Fishin for Nutrition

Event

DATE CHANGE - Regular Executive Committee Meeting

Meeting

AST Economic Development Survey

AST Economic Development Survey Scan the QR code or click here, https://www.astribe.com/forms/economic-development-survey

4th of July Closure

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe will be closed Thursday July 3 at 12 pm and Friday July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Public Hearing Notice

Public Hearing Notice Date: June 6, 2025 Hearing Date: June 30, 2025 at 6:00pm Location: Virtual Meeting- Please join using this link: https://meetings.officeathand.att.com/join/589462857 Meeting ID: 589462857 One tap to join audio only from a smartphone: + 18179009005,,589462857# United States (Texas) + 12342032766,,589462857# United States (Akron, OH) Or dial: + 1 (817) 9009005 United States (Texas) + 1 (234) 2032766 United States (Akron, OH) Access Code / Meeting ID: 589462857 International numbers available: https://meetings.officeathand.att.com/teleconference Purpose: The purpose of this public hearing is to allow public comments relating to the draft AST 102-477 plan. The final Plan will be submitted to the P.L. 102-477 for the approval to be used for the proposed plan period 1/1/2026-12/31/2030. The public is encouraged to attend this meeting to give feedback on the draft plan and this input will be considered when completing the final AST 102-477 Plan. Items of interest to be discussed will include the following:  Employment, Education and Training Services  Enhance the Quality of Child Care If anyone who wishes to comment but cannot attend the public hearing, they may do so by sending a letter to the AST CCDF Programs address or email astchildcare@astribe.com. Copies of the draft AST 102-477 Plan can be requested prior to the hearing from ASTChildCare@astribe.com or by calling 405.275.4030. This notice will be posted at the following locations and resources: Absentee Shawnee Building Blocks CDC- Shawnee, OK Absentee Shawnee Building Blocks CDC- Little Axe, OK Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex Building #1 Reception Area, Shawnee, OK Absentee Shawnee Tribe Health Clinic, Shawnee and Norman, OK Absentee Shawnee Tribe Shawnee After School Program- Shawnee, OK Absentee Shawnee Tribe Website- www.astribe.com For further information about this notice or the AST 102-477 Plan, please contact Briana Ponkilla, 477 Executive Director, Briana.ponkilla@astribe.com or Heather Deatherage, 477 Assistant Executive Director, hdeatherage@astribe.com or 405.275.4030

Juneteenth Closure

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe will be closed Thursday June 19 2025 in observance of Juneteenth Day.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation in conjunction with the Emergency Management Department and Health Systems. We have recently enacted additional procedures to safeguard the health and safety of our tribal members, staff and community.

AST Easter Egg Hunt Canceled

The Tribal Easter Egg hunt for April 4, 2020 has been canceled to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

AST closure for the week

After further review of the CDC guidelines for the COVID-19, the Executive Committee has decided to keep the complex closed the remainder of the week. I highly recommend for all employees to please remain indoors and take all necessary precautions during this time. The EC is evaluating the situation on a daily basis so any new updates will be sent out as they come in. A new update for next week’s work schedule will be sent out on Friday, March 20, 2020. Thank you

AST Tribal Elders Meeting

The AST Tribal Elders meeting that was scheduled for March 28, 2020, has been canceled. Will be rescheduled at a later date.

Thunderbird Casino Closure for Shawnee and Norman

Dear Valued Patron,

To protect the health and safety of our players, team members, and the community, Thunderbird Casinos in Norman and Shawnee will temporarily close effective March 17th at 12:00am to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Important Notice

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe (AST) is taking the COVID-19 public health crisis extremely seriously. We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and the Oklahoma State Department of Health to monitor the changing situation. At this time, there are currently no known cases of COVID-19 within the AST system - tribal government or enterprises. The AST Executive Committee is dedicated to protecting the health and welfare of our employees and will take each day on a case-by-case basis.