"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
Absentee Shawnee Tribal Elections are this Saturday, June 20th. Voting locations will be in Little Axe at the Resource Center and on the Shawnee complex in the Multi Purpose Building. Polls open from 8 am - 6 pm. Please wear your mask and be safe.
Please complete the form below. In order to meet the requirements of a live signature, this form must be mailed to: 2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, ATTN Enrollment Department. Shawnee, OK 74801 or Delivered to the Enrollment department on campus. If you have questions around eligibility or need to contact enrollment, they ask that you email your questions to: ASTWelfareFund@astribe.com
Today’s Special EC meeting for today has been postponed due to conflicting factors from Treasurer Ellis and Lt. Governor Blanchard. The new proposed Special meeting date will be June 12, 2020 at 10:00am.
Upon my recommendation the Absentee Shawnee Tribe created a committee to oversee the funding released to our tribe from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. We are working on plans and programs for the immediate distribution of these funds. Please keep in mind there are many regulations and terms attached to these dollars, and money must be spent accordingly. The following are several programs we are working towards finalizing:
General Welfare Income Relief Program (open to membership)
In an effort to keep our citizens safe and healthy, the Absentee Shawnee Tribe and AST Emergency Management have procured reusable, cloth masks to supply to every Tribal member (within boundaries and at-large). Distribution will begin on June 2nd and can be accomplished in three ways:
Pick up from 10am – 12pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the checkpoint located at the main entrance of the administrative complex in Shawnee,