"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 4,775 members who live in all parts of the world as of June 30, 2026. 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
Regular Executive Committee Meeting
Meeting
97th SEMI-ANNUAL GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING
Meeting
Proposed Construction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Court Notice of Availability - Draft Environmental Assessment
Announcement
AST Day/Labor Day Closures
Announcement
Special Executive Committee Meeting
Meeting
Important Notice for Applicants Receiving Property Tax or Homeowner’s Insurance Assistance Through the HAF Program
Important Notice for Applicants Receiving Property Tax or Homeowner’s Insurance Assistance Through the HAF Program – General Program Updates
To: HAF Applicants (Past, Present, and Future),
We are writing to inform you of an important update regarding the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program. Per guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Period of Performance for HAF awards ends on September 30, 2026.
As a result, assistance provided through the HAF Program cannot extend beyond September 30, 2026.
While eligible applicants may still receive assistance for expenses incurred prior to that date, HAF funds cannot be used to cover any charges, premiums, installments, or obligations that occur after September 30, 2026.
We understand this change may create hardship and frustration for some applicants. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. At the time of award issuance, some applicants may have received award letters indicating approval for payment of property taxes, insurance, or other homeowner assistance expenses extending beyond September 30, 2026.
However, based on new guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, we are required to update our program requirements and can no longer honor payments for any obligations that become due after September 30, 2026, regardless of prior award communications. We regret this change and understand the impact it may have, but we must comply with current federal guidance governing HAF funding.
We want to clarify that assistance for mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance and utility bills may still be available; however, all such assistance will be prorated and limited strictly to eligible costs incurred on or before September 30, 2026.
Please be advised that all approved assistance must comply with these federal program requirements and timelines.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility or outstanding expenses, please contact our office for additional guidance.
Sincerely,
AST HAF Program Coordinator, Keesha Mason
For more information about HAF, click here https://www.astribe.com/homeowner-assistance-fund-haf
The Executive Committee of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, in accordance with the Constitution, Article XVI, Section 4, “Executive Committee Meetings” here by calls and declares public notice that the REGULAR meeting of the Executive Committee of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has been scheduled for Wednesday September 16, 2026 at 10 AM at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Misty McGirt, Tribal Secretary
Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Dated this 1st day of September 2026.
97th SEMI-ANNUAL GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE OF INDIANS OF OKLAHOMA ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026 AT 10:00 A.M. AT THUNDERBIRD ENTERPRISES INC. EVENT CENTER IN NORMAN , OK.
Proposed Construction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Court Notice of Availability - Draft Environmental Assessment
: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), has completed a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating the potential environmental impacts of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma’s proposal to construct a new modular tribal court building and associated site improvements (the Proposed Action). NEPA requires that federal agencies consider the effects of a proposed action and any reasonable alternatives on the human environment. This draft EA evaluates the potential impacts that would result from the implementation of the Proposed Action as compared to the No Action alternative.
The draft EA is available upon request. Please send an email request to info@clarkgroupllc.com. The draft EA will be provided in electronic format unless a hard copy is specifically requested.
Project Title: Absentee Shawnee Tribal Court
Project Proponent: Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Federal Agency: DOJ, BJA
Project Location: Tribal trust land within the Citizen Potawatomi Nation–Absentee Shawnee Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area in Shawnee, Oklahoma, immediately west of the existing Absentee Shawnee Tribe Police Department, at approximate coordinates 35.29583, -96.92520.
Purpose of the Proposed Action: If implemented, the Proposed Action would provide the Absentee Shawnee Tribe with a modern tribal court facility that improves functionality, accessibility, safety, privacy, and long-term capacity for court operations. The project would address deficiencies in the existing court facilities, including inadequate space for court staff and visitors, limited privacy for court operations, insufficient accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and inadequate capacity for current operations and future growth.
Proposed Action Description: The Proposed Action involves installation of an approximately 4,500-square-foot modular tribal court building on a permanent foundation. The project would also include the construction of a parking lot and driveway, pedestrian sidewalks connecting the building to the proposed parking lot and the adjacent Absentee Shawnee Tribe Police Department parking area, and utility connections for water, sanitary sewer, electrical, and natural gas service. Construction would include minor grading and excavation, foundation installation, utility installation, parking and sidewalk construction, modular building installation, and final site restoration. The construction is anticipated to occur over approximately four to six months.
Public Comments: BJA is accepting comments on this EA from September 1, 2026 through the end of the day on September 30, 2026. Comments should be submitted by email to info@clarkgroupllc.com, or mailed to The Clark Group, LLC, 137 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.
Date of Posting: September 1, 2026
Yvonne Katherine Cahwee was born on March 29, 1950 in Claremore, OK and passed away on May 11, 2022 in Tulsa, OK. She was enrolled with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma with Muskogee Creek and Seneca descent. Her tribal name was “Na-Ge-Ka-Ewa-Shee” (Beaver) and she was of the Water Clan. She attended Bowen Indian Baptist Church and Indian Falls Creek Baptist Assembly.
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 Wednesday, May 25th , 2022 at 10:00 AM at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Little Axe resident Thurman “Duke” Blanchard, 71, died Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Little Axe.
Thurman was born February 6, 1951, in Little Axe, Oklahoma to Lewis and Cynthia (Creek) Blanchard.
He was a lifetime resident of Little Axe, Oklahoma and was a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. He graduated from Noble High School and started his career with Oklahoma Natural Gas, retiring in 2006.
He married Fredith Butler on June 2, 1972, in Little Axe, Oklahoma.
The Executive Committee of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, in accordance with the Constitution, Article XVI, Section 3, “Executive Committee Meetings” here by calls and declares public notice that the REGULAR meeting of the Executive Committee of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at 10:00 AM. at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe Department of Public Safety has been diligent in the response to the severe weather impacts. Now that initial damage assessments have ended and response plans are in place, we are looking to coordinate with willing AST volunteers to assist in recovery efforts. Seminole County and the City of Seminole will be our primary location for providing our assistance.
If you are interested in volunteering your time and efforts to assist our neighboring communities, please reach out to the following forms of contact: