Announcements & Events

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, September 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Misty McGirt, Tribal Secretary Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Dated this 6th day of  September 2024.

Dementia Bingo Event   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. Preferred for AST Tribal members & Native Americans but open to public. Due to limited seating, the event is for ADULTS only 18 years and older.

Please read the statement from the AST Tax Commission regarding the Mason Treat Act.

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.

THE ENROLLMENT OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FOR TRAINING AUGUST 12-16, 2024. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE.

Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act Event! It will be held at the Little Axe Resource Center (1970 156th Ave NE, Norman, OK 73026) on Thursday, August 29th, 2024. Bingo starts at 11AM with lunch and presentations starting at 12PM. This event is to help our Tribal Title VI members. We hope you join us to learn more about the benefits of MIPPA, Medicare Part D, and more! For more information, please contact Dos Owings dowings@astribe.com or call 405.275.4030 ext. 3614.

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Members, If You Are Interested In Serving On One Of The Following Boards Commissions, Committees Or Councils: Foster Care (2) Health (3) ASEDA (1) NAGPRA (5) Gaming Commission (2) ASHA Housing   (2) TEI (2) Please Submit Your Letters Of Interest With Resume Attached To: Tribal Secretary 2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr. Shawnee, 0K 74801 secretary@astribe.com

Back to School Bash & Kiddy 500 for ASHA residents and AST youth. Enjoy the evening filled with community, food, school supplies, inflatables and games. Backpacks & school supplies ages 4-18 "Racing to defeat child abuse" ages 2-14 For backpack/school supplies questions only - contact communitydev@ashousingauthority.com or 405.617.0480. For Kiddy 500 questions only - contact astchildcare@astribe.com August 2, 2024 5-8 pm Rolling Hills Community Center, 2102 E Main Street, Shawnee, OK Registration required. Deadline to register is Friday, July 12, 2024 To register online, click here https://form.jotform.com/241484004055145