The Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, a vibrant and resilient nation, boasts a rich history marked by migration, adaptation, and a steadfast commitment to preserving their cultural identity. This article serves as an index to the key aspects of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, offering insights into their origins, historical journey, governance, culture, and contemporary life.
Origins and Early History
The story of the Absentee-Shawnee begins in the northeastern United States, the ancestral homeland of the broader Shawnee people. The Shawnee, an Algonquian-speaking group, traditionally occupied a vast territory encompassing present-day Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, western Maryland, Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. This extensive territory reflects their semi-migratory lifestyle, adapting to the resources and opportunities available across the Eastern Woodlands.
During the American Revolutionary War, many Shawnee individuals, seeking to evade the conflicts that followed, migrated westward to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, then under Spanish control. This relocation offered a degree of refuge from the Northwest Indian Wars. They were later joined by Shawnee people from Alabama and Ohio, further solidifying the community in the region.
As the United States expanded its influence, relations with the Shawnee began to shift. Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, pressure increased on the Shawnee to cede their lands. By 1840, many of these scattered groups had migrated to the Indian Territory, now present-day Oklahoma, finding settlements along the Canadian River within the territories of the Choctaw and Creek Nations (now known as the Muscogee Creek Nation). An attempt in 1854 to entice them to relocate to Kansas with the promise of land allotments proved unsuccessful.
The "Absentee" Designation: A Story of Relocation and Resilience
The designation "Absentee" arose from a specific historical circumstance. In 1825, the U.S. government offered the Shawnee a reservation in Kansas in exchange for the lands they then occupied. However, many Shawnee people chose not to relocate to the Kansas reservation. By 1845, a significant number had "absented" themselves from this designated area, migrating southward to Texas.
Before the Civil War, Kansas Shawnee individuals sympathetic to the South joined those already residing along the Canadian River. Others from Texas settled on the Wichita-Caddo reservation. During the Civil War, some Shawnee people served in the Confederate army, while many others sought refuge in Kansas.
Following the war, joined by many Kansas Shawnee (including those from Black Bob’s band), they returned to Indian Territory, claiming acreage initially assigned to the Potawatomi. This act of residing outside their designated Kansas reservation led to their collective designation as the "Absentee Shawnee."
Two Bands, Divergent Paths
The group that became known as the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe comprised two main bands: the followers of White Turkey, who favored assimilation into white society, and the followers of Big Jim, who staunchly opposed absorption, fearing the loss of their cultural traditions. This division reflects the complex choices faced by Native American tribes during a period of intense pressure to conform to dominant American culture.
The Big Jim Band initially settled along the Deep Fork River in Oklahoma, while the White Turkey Band established their community near present-day Shawnee, Oklahoma. However, in 1886, the U.S. Army forcibly relocated the Big Jim Band to their current community in Cleveland County, Oklahoma.
Reservation Lands and Allotment
In 1872, a congressional act formally granted the Absentee-Shawnee title to the lands they occupied in Indian Territory. However, these lands differed from traditional reservations. In the late 19th century, the Absentee-Shawnee lands were allotted in 1890 and 1891, meaning they were divided into individual parcels assigned to heads of families. The remaining "excess" land was subsequently sold to primarily white settlers, effectively dissolving the communal reservation system.
These individual parcels, known as allotments, could be bought and sold like privately owned lands. Over time, this system led to the fragmentation of land ownership, as allotments were divided among heirs across generations, sometimes resulting in individuals owning only small fractions of land, complicating future use and sale. The lands belonging to the Absentee-Shawnee and other Oklahoma Indian tribes are trust lands, not reservations.
Government and Leadership
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma was officially organized under the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936. This act facilitated tribal self-governance and economic development.
The tribe is led by an Executive Committee, elected by tribal members, comprising:
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Representative
This elected leadership is responsible for overseeing tribal affairs, managing resources, and representing the interests of the Absentee-Shawnee people.
Language and Culture
The Shawnee language, part of the Algonquian language family, is an integral aspect of the tribe’s cultural heritage. Unfortunately, it is considered endangered, with only a small number of fluent speakers remaining, primarily among the older generation. The Absentee-Shawnee Tribe is actively engaged in efforts to revitalize and preserve their language through teaching programs and community events.
The Shawnee language is known for its complex verb structures and its melodic, song-like quality. While resources for learning the language are limited, including a Shawnee dictionary and some translated religious texts, the tribe is dedicated to expanding these resources and promoting language fluency among its members.
Cultural Traditions and Practices
Traditional religious beliefs of the Absentee-Shawnee are deeply rooted in nature and cultural heritage. This includes beliefs that all aspects of the natural world possess a spirit, the acknowledgment of a supreme being, and the importance of honoring ancestors. Today, the Absentee-Shawnee practice a mix of Christianity, traditional tribal religion, and the Native American Church.
The Shawnee held various ceremonies throughout the year to align with seasonal changes, agricultural cycles, and life events, such as births, marriages, and deaths.
Historically, Shawnee villages were governed by chiefs and tribal councils. War chiefs, selected for their bravery and skill, also played important roles. The principal chief, chosen from a ruling clan, held significant power but required the support of the people.
Traditional Shawnee life involved distinct roles for men and women. Men were warriors, hunters, and fishers, while women cared for corn and squash fields, raised children, and performed daily chores. Both genders participated in storytelling, artwork, music, and traditional medicine.
Symbols, Art, and Material Culture
The Absentee-Shawnee banner and logo feature Tecumseh, a Shawnee warrior and leader who sought to unite tribes. The phrase "LI-SI-WI-NWI" means "Among the Shawnee."
The Shawnee are known for their artistry in beadwork, pottery, and wood carving. They also crafted wampum from shell beads, used for trade and as a medium for storytelling and recording important events. Musical instruments included drums and deer-hoof rattles.
Traditional Shawnee clothing consisted of skirts and leggings for women and breechcloths and leggings for men. Ponchos were worn in cool weather, and moccasins were worn on the feet. They often adorned themselves with face paint and tribal tattoos.
Summer dwellings consisted of bark-covered longhouses, while smaller, round dwellings called wikkums or wigwams were used during hunting season.
The Absentee-Shawnee Today
As of 2010, the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe had approximately 3,400 enrolled members. The tribe operates various businesses, including a gas station, smoke shops, a casino (Thunderbird Casino), and a restaurant (AST Country Kitchen Restaurant). The Little Axe Health Center provides healthcare services to tribal members.
The Absentee-Shawnee Tribe maintains its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, promoting the well-being of its members, and exercising its sovereignty as a federally recognized tribe. They continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century while honoring the legacy of their ancestors.
Related Tribes and Further Exploration
The Absentee-Shawnee are one of three federally recognized Shawnee tribes in Oklahoma, the others being the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and the Shawnee Tribe. These tribes share a common heritage but maintain distinct governance and cultural practices.
For those seeking to delve deeper into the history and culture of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, numerous resources are available, including books, historical documents, and online sources. These resources offer valuable insights into the rich and complex story of this resilient nation.