"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”
Lewis “Sonny” George Snake was born February 10, 1943 to Lewis Snake and Elizabeth “Betty” Ann (Middleton) Sales in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He passed from this life January 10, 2025, at his home in Shawnee, at the age of 81.
After high school Sonny joined the United States Army. While in the military he served as a Sergeant Major in the Green Berets, an Army Special Forces Unit. Military awards he received include Expert (Rifle M-1); Marksman (Rifle M-14 & Carbine Caliber 30); Sharpshooter (Carbines & Rifle); National Defense Service Medal (10 Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal; Bronze Star Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Korean Service Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Vietnam Civil Actions Medal (1st Class); Good Conduct Medal (7th Award); Meritorious Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; Master Parachute Badge; Vietnam Parachute Badge; 3 Oversea Bars (Indicating 54 months or 4.5 years of Military Service Overseas – 18 months for each bar); 7 Service Stripes (Indicates 21-23 years of Honorable Service).
Other awards and achievements include Certificate of Recognition from the United States Black Belt Federation to Certify that: Snake’s Moo Duk Kwan Association and Snake’s Moo Duk Kwan Karate Do, under the leadership of Lewis George Snake, are fully recognized and duly recorded as a Sogo Budo Ryu in the registry of the United States Black Belt Federation. Received 10th Degree Black Belt and Title of Hanshi (Master) in the Discipline of Snake’s Moo Duk Kwan Karate Do by the United States Black Belt Federation.
After retiring from Tinker, he became a private investigator and worked in security. Sonny married Marion “Kay” Hensley on February 19, 2005. He liked doing crossword puzzles, he enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, and Friends, and older TV shows like Andy Griffith, Leave It To Beaver, Happy Days, and Cheers. He really enjoyed playing the game “Super Mario Brothers” on the Nintendo with his late wife, Kay. He enjoyed seeing the “Great Archway,” in St. Louis and “Graceland,” the home of Elvis Presley. His greatest achievement was his children, becoming a Master of Martial Arts, and his military service as a Green Beret in the United States Army. He was a member of the United States Black Belt Federation, Member of the Masonic Lodge of Freemasonry, and a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marion “Kay”; grandson, Taylor “Lew” Lewis, and several aunts and uncles he was raised and grew up with in Texas.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Danny and Terrie Sullivan; Raymond Sullivan; Barry and Pam Snake; Gerald Snake; Brandi and Charles “Chuck” Lewis; Stewart and Tyann Snake; Amber Snake and Scott Roden; Julia and Jimmy Horn; and Yolanda and Chris Cullison; numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Tax Preparation Services
To make an appointment please call, 405.275.4030, x3506
Location, Multi-Purpose Building, 2029 James L Edwards Lane, Shawnee, OK
Start date - January 28, 2025.
Tuesday's & Thursday's 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday's February 8 & March 8 - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Free income tax filing : Forms 1040 or 1040 SR
Eligibility: Total household income of $67,000 or below; AST members and community. Tribal members served first.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Photo ID
Social Security Card
Medical/Dental Expenses, if any
1099 Form
W-2 Form
Last Year’s Taxes
Charitable Donations Receipts, if any
IRS PIN Letter
The Dementia Services grants staff will host a Bingo Event on Saturday, September 7, from 10:00 am to 3:00 p.m. at the AST Multipurpose Building at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex in Shawnee!
This event is to provide “edutainment” — Our Dementia Care Specialist will talk about Fentanyl, Dementia, and the Brain. We will have a guest speaker from the Alzheimer’s Association who will give us an update on the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s.
93rd SEMI-ANNUAL GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE OF INDIANS OF OKLAHOMA ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE THUNDERBIRD CASINO EVENT CENTER IN NORMAN OKLAHOMA.
DATED THIS 3rd DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024.
The Executive Committee of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, in accordance with the Constitution, Article XVI, Section 4, "Executive Committee Meetings" hereby calls and declares public notice that the SPECIAL meeting of the Executive Committee of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has been scheduled for Tuesday August, 27th 2024 at 3 PM at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
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.