Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3,783 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Oklahoma) |
|
| Languages | |
| Omaha-Ponca language, English | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion, Native American Church, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Omaha, Osage, Kaw, and Quapaw peoples. |
The Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, also known as the Ponca Nation, is one of two federally recognized tribes of Ponca people in the United States. The other is the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. Both tribes traditionally speak the Omaha-Ponca language. This language is part of the larger Siouan language family. The Ponca people share many cultural traditions with the Omaha, Osage, Kaw, and Quapaw tribes.
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How the Ponca Tribe is Governed
The Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has a government chosen by its people. This government is led by an elected committee. The main offices for the tribe are in White Eagle. This town is close to Ponca City, Oklahoma. The tribe's official area includes parts of Kay and Noble counties in Oklahoma.
As of 2018, there were 3,783 members in the tribe. To become a member, a person needs to have a direct family connection to the Ponca people. This is based on rules set by the tribe itself.
The Business Committee
The Ponca Tribe's written rules explain how their government works. A group of seven members, called the Business Committee, leads the tribe. These members are chosen by the people in elections every four years. One person from this committee is elected as the chairman. Other important roles include a vice-chairman and a secretary/treasurer.
The current leaders of the tribe are:
- Tribal Chairman: Earl T. Howe, III
- Vice-Chairman: Rene' Kemble
Building a Strong Economy
The Ponca Tribe works to create businesses that help their community. In the past, the tribe opened a casino in Ponca City. This casino is no longer open. They tried again with a second casino in the same spot, but it also closed due to economic challenges in 2008.
In September 2020, the tribe successfully opened a new casino in Perry, Oklahoma. This opening was delayed for several months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Language and Cultural Traditions
The Ponca language is a very important part of the tribe's heritage. In 2009, about 33 tribal members still spoke the Ponca language. Efforts are made to keep the language alive for future generations.
Since 1876, the tribe has held an annual homecoming powwow. This special event takes place every August in Ponca City. A powwow is a gathering where Native American people celebrate their culture through dancing, singing, and socializing.
A Journey Through Ponca History
The Ponca tribe was one of five tribes that lived in the area northeast of the Mississippi River. These tribes included the Omaha, Osage, Kansa, and Quapaw. In the early 1700s, the Ponca and the Omaha tribe separated from the others. They were moving west from the Great Lakes region. The Ponca eventually settled in what is now Nebraska and South Dakota.
After Europeans arrived, new illnesses like smallpox, measles, and influenza spread. The Ponca people had no natural protection against these diseases. Many people became very sick and passed away during the 1700s and 1800s. During these difficult times, the powerful Sioux (also known as the Lakota) sometimes moved onto Ponca lands.
Treaties and Challenges
The Ponca people always maintained peace with the United States. They signed their first peace treaty in 1817. In 1825, they signed an agreement about trade. Later treaties in 1858 and 1865 meant the Ponca gave up some of their lands. The 1860s and 1870s were very hard for the tribe. The buffalo, a main food source, were disappearing. Dry weather ruined crops, and conflicts with the Sioux made life even tougher. These challenges threatened the Ponca with hunger.
The Forced Relocation
The United States government did not keep many of its promises to the Ponca. In 1868, the government gave land that was meant for the Ponca to the Sioux. This land became part of the Great Sioux Reservation. Then, in 1877, the government forced the Ponca to move to Indian Territory, which is now Oklahoma.
This forced move was very poorly managed. The government did not listen to the Ponca leaders. The tribe arrived too late to plant crops in their new home. They also did not receive enough supplies. The new location was unhealthy, with many people getting sick from malaria. About 158 Ponca people passed away in the first year after the move. This was almost one-third of the entire tribe. Among those who died was the oldest son of Standing Bear, a respected Ponca chief.
Standing Bear's Fight for Justice
Chief Standing Bear wanted to bury his son in their traditional lands in Nebraska. He took his son's body there, but the Army arrested him for leaving the reservation. However, a general named George Crook felt sympathy for Standing Bear. With help from lawyers who worked for free, Standing Bear went to court. He argued that his arrest was unfair.
In 1879, the court made an important decision in the case of Standing Bear v. Crook. The judge ruled that Native American people had legal rights, just like other citizens. This decision was a big step forward for Native American rights in the United States.
Modern Times and New Beginnings
After the forced move, Chief White Eagle settled on a large reservation in Oklahoma. This land is now part of Kay and Noble counties. In the 1890s, some people tried to make the Ponca give up their traditional dances and ways of life. They wanted the Ponca to adopt American customs.
In 1892, the US government passed the Dawes Allotment Act. This law divided tribal lands into individual plots for each family. The goal was to encourage farming and private land ownership. It also led to the government selling off remaining tribal lands to non-Native settlers.
The discovery of oil on Ponca lands in 1911 brought both good and bad changes. Some Ponca people became wealthy. However, others lost their land because some individuals took advantage of them.
In the 1910s, the Peyote religion became known to the Ponca. In 1918, two educated Ponca men, Louis MacDonald and Frank Eagle, helped start the Native American Church.
Many Ponca men served in World War I. When they returned, these veterans formed an American Legion group called Buffalo Post 38. They helped bring back traditional war dances, like the heluska dance, to their community.
In 1936, the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act allowed the tribe to reorganize its government. They approved their own constitution in 1950 and became officially recognized by the federal government. The tribal headquarters were set up in White Eagle.
Clyde Warrior, a Ponca leader, helped start the National Indian Youth Council. He encouraged Native American people to make their own decisions about their future. He inspired many young Native activists in the 1960s and 1970s.
Over the years, the individual land plots from the Dawes Act became divided among many heirs. Also, the government was found to have mismanaged money owed to Native American landowners. In 2009, the US government settled a large lawsuit about this issue.
The Ponca Tribe is now part of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations. This program helps tribes buy back divided land interests. In August 2016, the government offered about $7 million to over 1,300 Ponca landowners. This program helps transfer land back to the tribe to increase their shared holdings.
Protecting Their Land and Future
In 2017, the Ponca Nation passed a special law called a Rights of Nature law. This law gives the Ponca Tribal Court the power to address actions that harm nature. It shows the tribe's strong commitment to protecting the environment.
