Secretarial Election 2026
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Text
January 2026
Special Edition
ČAHRIKSIČAHRIKS
“PEOPLE OF PEOPLE”
Secretarial Election 2026
Special Edition
NOTICE OF SECRETARIAL ELECTION
TO BE HELD
The Pawnee Nation Election Commission will be
conducting a Secretarial Election on March 7, 2026,
by Absentee Ballot only. The Secretarial Election is in
regards of Amendments to the Constitution of the
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. For information
concerning this Election you may write the Pawnee
Nation Election Commission at the Post Office Box
600, Pawnee, Oklahoma 74058; email the
Commission at electioncomm@pawneenation.org or
visit
the
Pawnee
Nation
website
at
www.pawneenation.org. Request for absentee ballots
is not needed they will be mailed out to all enrolled
Pawnee Nation members 18 and over by March 7,
2026.
PAWNEE NATION
CONSTITUTION
CONVENTION
FORUMS DATES
SCHEDULED
The Pawnee Nation Constitution Convention
Delegates
and
Governing
Documents
Committee have scheduled several dates and
locations for the community forums. These
forums are to go through the proposed changes
that have been submitted for our tribal citizens
to vote on.
January 17th - Pawnee Nation Multi-Purpose
Building, Pawnee, OK starting at 1 pm
February 14th - Oklahoma City Forum will be
held at Native Nations Center for Tribal
Policy Research, 860 Van Vleet Oval,
Copeland Hall 233, Norman, OK 73019 at the
starting at 1 pm
February 21st - Tulsa, location TBD
The Pawnee Nation Election Commission encourages
all citizens of the Pawnee Nation to exercise their
right to VOTE and become a part of this very
important opportunity. Your personal involvement in
this process can and will strengthen our Nation, now
and in the future. All citizens of the Pawnee Nation of
Oklahoma, who are eighteen (18) years of age or over
on the date of the election are eligible to vote. Any
eligible voter of the Pawnee Nation will receive an
absentee ballot. The Election Commission will use the
last known address of all voters. If you have moved,
please contact the Pawnee Nation Enrollment Office
and update your address as soon as possible.
PAWNEE NATION HOSTS FIRST
HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS MARKET
All Ballots MUST BE RETURNED BY MARCH 7, 2026,
AT 12:00PM AT P.O. BOX 600, PAWNEE, OK. 74058.
Any ballots received after 12:00 PM noon on the day
of election, will not be counted.
December 12-13, 2025, the Pawnee Nation
Communications Department hosted the
first ever Pawnee Nation Holiday Christmas
Market.
Citizens of the Pawnee Nation are being advised that
the Election Act may be viewed on the Pawnee
Nation website or by request to the Election
Commission.
Cascade Wood Carver,
Dave Wharton, displays
carvings, signs, bowls,
spatulas, and other
locally sourced hardwood
items.
PAWNEE NATION ELECTION COMMISSION:
CECELIA HAWKINS, CHAIR
TAMMY TUBBS, CLERK
VACANT, SECRETARY
CATHERINE MOORE, SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
BRENDA ROWE, ALTERNATE
EMAIL: ELECTIONCOMM@PAWNEENATION.ORG
PHONE: 918-762-9702
2025 Holiday Market Participants
Alexis HorseChief, Chief Ceramics
Vicky Leading Fox, Leading Fox Designs
Marvin Hand, Pawnee Indian Veterans
Cynthia Butler, Pawnee Earring Artist,
Patsy Cooper, Pawnee Paint-Horse Images
Eden Mcintosh, LMR Creations: Woodwork & Vinyl
Crafts
Rebekah Wimer, Girl Scouts of Eastern-Oklahoma,
Cissy Lane with Simply Fringe,
(Continued on Page 2)
Pawnee Nation Secretarial Election
Constitution Amendments
Scheduled for March 7, 2026
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Alexis HorseChief drove from
Stillwater, Oklahoma to display
her beautiful Chief Ceramics
functional
and
decorative
ceramics and beadwork. Her
miniature selection was a hot
item!
Patsy Cooper displays painthorse images, canvas cultural &
nature prints, jewelry, cards,
peace signs, dream catchers,
and key chains. Amazing work!
Kathleen Childress with Flying Louise Beard presents the
Eagle Designs presented a Pawnee
Nation
Tax
plethora of quilted & sewn Commission merchandise
goods, crochet items, shirts, for shoppers!
and laser engraved items.
A great example of locally influenced Art, is Alexis Horse
Chief. HorseChief is a ceramic artist and a member of the
Pawnee Nation (Skidi Band) who creates handmade
pottery under the brand Chief Ceramics.
The beauty of Oklahoma's local art scene lies in its vibrant
blend of Native American heritage, Western themes, and
contemporary expression.
Pawnee, Oklahoma, is home to a rich artistic heritage,
particularly among members of the Pawnee Nation. The
"beauty" of its local artists lies in diverse mediums, deep
cultural roots, and community engagement.
For more information about the 2026 Holiday Christmas
Market, contact:
Dena M. Cosby, Communications Manager
Email: dc1301@pawneenation.org
Text: (580) 382-1999
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PROPOSED CONSTITUTION
AMENDMENTS FOR
SECRETARIAL ELECTION
Amendment A: Changing the name of the
Tribe from “Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma” to
“Pawnee Nation” throughout the
Constitution.
Amendment B: Changing the word
“membership” to “citizenship” throughout
the Constitution.
Amendment C: Changing the name of the
Chiefs Council from “Nasharo” to “Rêsâru”
throughout the Constitution.
Amendment D: Remove the Secretary of the
Interior from all Articles throughout the
Constitution.
Amendment E: be amended as follows:
PREAMBLE
We, the citizens of the four confederated
bands, Čawî’, Kitkehaki, Pîtahawirâta and
Ckiri of the Pawnee Nation, with faith in
Atî’as Tirawâhat, abounding pride in our
culture, and determination to promote our
cultural, social, economic, and political
advancement, and in exercise of our
inherent sovereign authority, do solemnly
ordain and adopt this Constitution of the
Pawnee Nation.
Amendment F: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this Sovereign Nation shall be
the “Pawnee Nation.”
Amendment G: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Section 1. To secure for the Pawnee Nation
and its citizens all rights, powers, privileges,
and benefits of a sovereign nation.
Section 2. To establish its Jurisdiction and
Powers.
(A) The governmental powers of the Pawnee
Business Council, acting for the sovereign
Pawnee Nation shall extend to all persons,
real and personal property, including but
not limited to lands and other natural and
cultural resources, and all waters and air
space, within Indian Country and other
lands over which the Pawnee Nation has
jurisdiction.
(B) The Pawnee Nation is empowered to
maintain and operate under the laws of the
U.S. and the Pawnee Nation, and its judicial
systems to protect the peace, safety, health,
and welfare of the citizens of the Pawnee
Nation, provided the concepts of separation
of powers is maintained.
(C) The Constitution is the supreme law of
the Pawnee Nation and to all persons
subject to its jurisdiction. The Pawnee
Business Council and all governmental
bodies shall exercise its power in a manner
consistent with the provisions of this
Constitution.
(D) Nothing in this Article shall be construed
to limit or impair the ability of the Pawnee
Nation to exercise jurisdiction based upon its
inherent sovereign authority.
Amendment H: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE III - CITIZENSHIP OF THE PAWNEE
NATION
Section 1. All persons shall be eligible for
citizenship in the Pawnee Nation provided
they are:
(A) Enrolled and whose name appears on
the official annuity (base) roll of the Pawnee
Nation as of February 19, 1937; and
(B) Lineally descended from any enrolled
citizen listed on the official annuity (base)
roll of the Pawnee Nation as of February 19,
1937.
Section 2. The Pawnee Business Council
shall have the power to prescribe rules and
regulations covering future citizenship of
the Pawnee Nation, including the approval
and loss of citizenship, provided: Such rules
and regulations shall be subject to the
review of the Rêsâru Council.
Section 3. No person shall be eligible for
Pawnee Nation citizenship, if enrolled as a
citizen or member of another Indian Tribe.
Amendment I: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE IV - PAWNEE BUSINESS COUNCIL
Section 1. The supreme governing body of
the Pawnee Nation shall be the Pawnee
Business Council, which shall consist of
eight (8) members.
Section 2. Subject to the limitations imposed
by this Constitution and applicable Federal
law, the Pawnee Business Council shall
exercise all the inherent, statutory, and
treaty powers of the Pawnee Nation by the
enactment of legislation, the transaction of
business, and by otherwise speaking or
acting on behalf of the Pawnee Nation on all
matters which the Pawnee Nation is
empowered to act, including the authority
to hire legal counsel to represent the
Pawnee Nation.
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Section 3. All acts regarding Citizenship or
Claims or Treaty Rights of the Pawnee
Business Council shall be subject to review
by the Rêsâru Council in accordance with
this Constitution.
Section 4. The present Pawnee Business
Council members shall serve until the next
regular election or until their successors are
elected and installed provided:
(A) Citizens of the Pawnee Nation, twentyfive (25) years of age or older, shall be eligible
for election to the Pawnee Business Council.
Citizens of the Pawnee Nation convicted of
or having plead guilty to a felony with the
exception of a sex crime, violent crime, or
misappropriation of funds, regardless of
jurisdiction or dishonorably discharged from
the Armed Forces of the United States of
America are ineligible for no more than
seven (7) years for candidacy for elected
office as prescribed by law.
(B) Whereas, at the first election after the
adoption of this Constitution (1999), the
President, Treasurer, and the First and
Second Council Members were elected to a
four-year term and the Vice-President,
Secretary, and Third and Fourth Council
members were elected to a two-year term in
order to stagger the terms of office.
Henceforth, all members of the Pawnee
Business Council shall be elected to a fouryear term of office and shall serve until their
successors shall be duly installed in office. In
cases when a vacancy is being filled to
complete an unexpired term due to death,
resignation, forfeiture, or recall of a Pawnee
Business Council member, a successor will
be appointed pursuant to Article VI of this
Constitution.
(C) A Rêsâru Council member shall resign
his/her position if elected or appointed to
the Pawnee Business Council.
D) A Pawnee Nation employee shall resign
his/her position if elected or appointed to
the Pawnee Business Council.
(E) A Pawnee Business Council member
shall not be eligible for employment by the
Pawnee Nation during his/her term of office.
(F) Elected members of the Pawnee
Business Council shall be inaugurated and
sworn into office fourteen (14) calendar days
after Election Day.
(G) Pawnee Business Council records and all
related documentation for each outgoing
Pawnee Business Council member shall be
made available to the newly elected Pawnee
Business Council
members. Failure to comply shall result in
ineligibility to file for candidacy for the
Pawnee Business Council for ten (10) years
or until records and documents are
returned.
(H) Candidates declare the position they are
seeking.
(I) If positions are vacant due to a lack of
candidates, they are considered vacant and
filled according to Article VI.
Section 5. All acts of the Pawnee Business
Council shall be determined by a majority
vote of the membership present, provided
five (5) members of the Council shall
constitute a quorum to transact business. In
the event of a tie, the President or President
pro tem shall cast the deciding vote.
Section 6. Regular quarterly meetings of the
Pawnee Business Council shall be held on
the first Saturday in February, June, August,
and November of each year in a place
designated by the Pawnee Business
Council, provided:
(A) Special meetings may be called by the
President.
(B) Special meetings shall be called by the
President within two (2) weeks after
receiving a written request, by regular mail
or by certified and return receipt mail, from
a majority of the occupied Pawnee Business
Council positions, provided:
(1) If the President fails to call and conduct a
special meeting as requested within two (2)
weeks, a majority of the occupied members
of the Pawnee Business Council shall be
authorized to call and conduct a special
meeting by affixing their signatures to a
document listing in detail the need for the
meeting and citing this Section of the
Constitution as their authority to meet.
(2) A minimum of two (2) days notice of all
meetings, regular or special, shall be posted
in public view. Provided that in an
emergency, posting in public view for two
(2) days shall be deemed sufficient notice.
Notice shall include the agenda.
(C) All meetings in this section may be held
in person, virtually, or as a hybrid meeting
with both in person or virtual attendance as
may be determined by the Pawnee
Business Council.
Section 7. All members of the Pawnee
Business Council shall attend tribal
constitution orientation classes as
prescribed by the Pawnee Business Council.
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Section 8. The Pawnee Business Council shall
provide an election commission to conduct all
elections, provided that regular elections are
held on the first Saturday in May of each oddnumbered year.
(D) Maintain the Pawnee Nation official
membership roll;
(E) Attest to enactments of the Pawnee
Business Council;
(F) In absence of the President and VicePresident, call to order regular and special
Amendment J: be amended as follows:
meetings of the Pawnee Business Council
ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
until a Chairman pro tem is selected;
Section 1. The President of the Pawnee
(G) Perform the duties of the Treasurer, in the
Business Council shall:
absence of the Treasurer; and
(A) Preside at all general meetings, meetings
(H) The Secretary shall be bonded.
of the Pawnee Business Council, joint
Section 4. The Treasurer shall be responsible
meetings of the Pawnee Business Council and for the following duties:
the Rêsâru Council;
(A) Receive funds from all sources for which
(B) Vote only in the case of a tie of all general
the Pawnee Business Council is held
meetings, meetings or acts of the Pawnee
accountable and maintain financial records
Business Council, and joint meetings of the
which shall reflect actual receipts and
Pawnee Business Council and the Rêsâru
disbursements of all funds, and which shall
Council;
reflect the financial position of the Pawnee
(C) Dutifully support the Constitution and laws Nation;
of the Pawnee Nation;
(B) Deposit funds from any and all sources
(D) Ensure that all decisions of the Pawnee
for which the Pawnee Business Council is
Business Council are faithfully executed,
held accountable in an insured bank or other
administered, and enforced;
approved financial institution;
(E) Administer oaths and affirmations when
(C) Disburse funds for the Pawnee Business
required or permitted;
Council authorizes. Funds shall be disbursed
(F) Be bonded;
by the Treasurer and approved according to
(G) Be authorized to countersign checks
the hierarchy listed under Article V;
disbursed by the Treasurer according to the
(D) An annual independent audit of all funds
requirements of Article V, Section 4 of this
for which the Pawnee Business Council is
Constitution;
held accountable;
(H) Call Special meetings under the authority (E) Present financial status reports and
granted by Article IV, Section 6 of this
budget reports as determined by the
Constitution; and
Pawnee Business Council;
(I) Unless authorized by this Constitution, the (F) Perform the duties of the Secretary, in the
President shall not take any action unless
absence of the Secretary;
directed by the Pawnee Business Council.
(G) The Treasurer shall be bonded; and
Section 2. In the absence of the President, the (H) If the Treasurer fails to fulfill his or her
Vice-President shall perform the duties of that Constitutional or statutory duties of the
office. In the case of vacancy, the Viceoffice of the Treasurer, funds may be jointly
President shall succeed at once to the office of disbursed by two (2) officers of the Pawnee
the President. The Vice-President shall be
Business Council.
bonded.
Section 3. The Secretary shall be responsible
Amendment K: be amended as follows:
for the following duties:
ARTICLE VI - VACANCIES
(A) Record the proceedings of all meetings of Section 1. In the event of a Presidential
the Pawnee Business Council and Rêsâru
vacancy, the Vice-President shall temporarily
Council, and all special meetings as assigned vacate his/her office and fulfill the duties of
by the Pawnee Business Council;
the office of President until another
(B) Prepare the agenda for meetings of the
President is elected by a majority of Pawnee
Pawnee Business Council;
Nation voters in a specially called election.
(C) Maintain all records and files of the
The Business Council shall elect from the
Pawnee Business Council. All records and files current council citizenship a Temporary Vice
of the Pawnee Business Council, except such President to serve until the next President is
records as shall be explicitly made exempt by elected by a majority of Pawnee Nation
law, shall be public information to any
voters in a specially called election, at which
member of the Pawnee Nation;
time the Temporary Vice
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President shall return to his/her previous
position.
Section 2. If the offices of the President and
Vice President are vacant, the Treasurer shall
temporarily vacate his/her office and fulfill
the duties of the President, and the
Secretary shall temporarily vacate his/her
office and fulfill the duties of the Vice
President. The Business Council shall elect
from the current council citizenship a
Temporary Treasurer and a Temporary
Secretary until the next President and Vice
President are elected by a majority of
Pawnee Nation voters in a specially called
election, at which time the Temporary
Treasurer and Temporary Secretary shall
return to his/her previous position.
Section 3. If the offices of the President, Vice
President, and Treasurer are vacant, the
Secretary shall temporarily vacate his/her
office and fulfill the duties of the President.
The Business Council shall elect from the
current council citizenship a Temporary Vice
President, Temporary Treasurer, and
Temporary Secretary until the next
President, Vice President, and Treasurer are
elected by a majority of Pawnee Nation
voters in a specially called election, at which
time the Temporary Vice President,
Temporary Treasurer and Temporary
Secretary shall return to his/her previous
position.
Section 4. Notwithstanding Article IV,
Section 5, if four (4) or more positions are
vacant, a quorum shall consist of the
remaining Council members. If all officer
positions are vacant, any remaining council
member may call a special Business Council
meeting, at which time that Council
member shall chair, and the remaining
council shall elect officers.
Section 5. If a vacancy occurs in a First,
Second, Third, or Fourth Business Council
member position before the last six (6)
months of a term, it shall be filled by a
majority of Pawnee Nation voters in a
specially called election.
Section 6. If a vacancy occurs in a First,
Second, Third, or Fourth Business Council
member position in the latter six (6) months
of that term, that position shall remain
vacant until the next general election.
Section 7. If a vacancy occurs in any Business
Council position in the six (6) months prior to
a general election, the specially called
election shall be held with the general
election.
Section 8. Any successful candidate who is
elected in a special election shall serve only
the remaining term of that vacant position.
Section 9. Unless Sections 6 and 7 apply, the
Election Board shall set and conduct a
special election within sixty (60) days, but
not before thirty (30) days, after a position is
vacant.
Section 10. A position is vacant when:
(A) Subject to an effective date, a resignation
is received in writing by the Office of the
President;
(B) Vacant pursuant to Article VII, Section 1;
(C) Death;
(D) Recall;
(E) Removal; or
(F) A suspension is imposed under Article VII,
Section 3, in which case a specially called
election is not required if the Business
Council finds that suspension is likely to be
resolved within six (6) months. If the
Business Council finds that the suspension
is likely to be longer than six (6) months, a
special election may be called. If the
suspension is removed, the person elected
in the special election shall step down and
the suspended Business Council Member
shall retake his/her position.
Amendment L: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE VII - FORFEITURE, RECALL,
SUSPENSION, REMOVAL
Section 1. Forfeiture
(A) If a member of the Pawnee Business
Council fails or refuses to attend two (2)
regularly called quarterly or special
meetings per year from the date of his/her
oath of office, unless excused by majority
vote of the Pawnee Business Council for
illness or other causes for which the
member cannot be held responsible, his/her
seat shall be declared forfeited by a
resolution of the Pawnee Business Council
and become vacant.
(B) Any vacancy shall be filled consistent
with Vacancy provisions of this Constitution.
Section 2. Recall
(A) A petition for recall of any member of the
Pawnee Business Council shall be:
(1) Filed with the Pawnee Nation Election
Commission with a statement alleging
specific facts and dates of actions or
inactions by the Pawnee Business Council
Member subject to recall, including the
Article of the Pawnee Nation Constitution
that was violated;
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(2) Verified by the Enrollment Department
that thirty-five percent (35%) of the number of
voters who voted in the last regular election
signed the petition; and
(3) Signed and include the following
information for all individual signatures: full
name, date of birth, and signature.
(B) Individual petitions shall be filed for each
Pawnee Business Council Member who is
subject to recall.
(C) The petitioner shall be required to pay a
filing fee of fifty percent (50%) of the total cost
of the last regular election payable to the
Election Commission for each individual
Pawnee Business Council Member being
recalled.
(D) Once requirements of Section 2 (A)(1-3)
and (C) have been completed, the Election
Commission shall call and hold a recall
election within sixty (60) business days, but
not before thirty (30) business days.
(E) Notice of the recall shall be sent to all
eligible voters prior to the recall election.
(F) The recall shall be effective when fifty
percent (50%) + one (1) of the number voting,
votes in favor of the recall.
(G) Once a member has faced a recall
attempt, no further recall action shall be
brought against that member until at least
twelve (12) consecutive months have passed.
No member of the Pawnee Business Council
shall be subject to a recall action within the
first twelve (12) months of that member’s
term. A recall proceeding may not be initiated
against a Council Member whose term
expires within six (6) months.
(H) A maximum of three (3) Council Members
may be recalled at a time.
Section 3. Suspension
(A) A Pawnee Business Council Member shall
be suspended from the Business Council
without compensation if:
(1) Charges are pending for a felony offense;
(2) An offense would be cause for removal as
defined in Section 4 (C)(1-6); and
(3) The jurisdiction where the charges are
pending guarantees equal rights and due
process as is guaranteed under the Pawnee
Nation Constitution.
(B) The suspension shall be effective from the
date of the filing of the charges until
dismissed.
(C) It is the duty of the defendant Business
Council Member to immediately notify the
Business Council and the Attorney General of
any pending felony charges.
(D) A suspended Business Council Member is
excused from attending meetings and
other official duties during the suspension.
(E) No vote cast or other official action taken
after suspension shall be valid and will
constitute official misconduct.
(F) The suspended Business Council Member
may bring a declaratory judgment action in
Pawnee Nation Tribal Court to challenge the
application of this Section.
(G) If the Court dismisses the pending felony
charges, the suspension shall automatically
be removed, and all withheld compensation
shall be paid without interest.
Section 4. Removal of Pawnee Business
Council Members
(A) A Pawnee Business Council member may
be removed for cause by a petition for
removal filed in Pawnee Nation District Court
with the right of appeal to the Pawnee
Nation Supreme Court.
(B) A petition for removal may be filed on
behalf of the Pawnee Nation by resolution of
the Pawnee Business Council.
(C) Removal for cause includes but is not
limited to:
(1) A felony conviction by any Tribal, Federal,
or State Court while serving on the Pawnee
Business Council;
(a) Conviction means a final conviction or a
plea of no contest or guilty, regardless of
being dismissed, suspended, pardoned, or
expunged.
(2) Converting Pawnee Nation property or
monies for personal use, or financial gain or
profit;
(3) Willful neglect or refusal to fulfill
Constitution or statutory duties;
(4) Official misconduct in office or by
abusing the lawful authority of an elected
official;
(a) Official misconduct in office shall include
but is not limited to harassment or unfair
treatment of a Pawnee Nation citizen or
employee by a Council Member due to
religion, sex, age, or disability;
(5) Physical or mental incapacity; or
(6) Cessation of citizenship in the Pawnee
Nation.
(D) The grounds for removal shall be set forth
with specificity in the petition for removal
and the Pawnee Business Council Member
shall be suspended from office until the
Court rules on the petition.
(E) Court Review
(1) The Pawnee Nation District Court shall
review the removal petition in a new trial.
(a) An initial hearing must be held within
thirty (30) days of receipt of the petition with
a decision reached by the Court
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within ninety (90) days.
(b) The petitioner must prove the allegations
contained in the petition by clear and
convincing evidence.
(2) Before the Court rules on a petition for
removal, the Court shall provide due process
to each party, including:
(a) A copy of the petition;
(b) The right to respond to the petition; and
(c) The right to present witnesses and other
evidence in his/her defense.
(3) If the Court finds grounds for removal as
stated in the petition do exist, the Pawnee
Nation shall be awarded reasonable costs
and expenses, including attorney fees, not to
exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), and
any other relief that the Court deems fair
and reasonable.
(4) If the Court finds grounds for removal as
stated in the petition do not exist, the
defending Council member shall be
reinstated to the Pawnee Business Council
and awarded reasonable costs and expenses,
including attorney fees, not to exceed Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000), and any other
relief that the Court deems fair and
reasonable.
(a) The costs and expenses, including
attorney fees, shall be paid from Pawnee
Nation funds.
(5) All parties may be represented by an
attorney of his/her choosing, provided at
his/her own expense for the purposes of this
Section.
(6) Either party may seek an appeal of the
decision of the District Court by filing an
appeal with the Pawnee Nation Supreme
Court.
(7) No Pawnee Business Council member
shall be subject to removal until more than
twelve (12) months have passed since the
previous petition for removal was filed.
(8) A Pawnee Business Council member
removed from office shall not be prohibited
from running or holding office again at any
time in the future, provided they meet
eligibility requirements in Article IV.
Amendment M: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE VIII - RÊSÂRU COUNCIL
Section 1. The Rêsâru Council shall consist of
eight (8) members with a quorum of five (5)
to transact business. Each band shall have
two (2) representatives on the Rêsâru
Council selected by the members of the
tribal bands, Čawî’, Kitkehaki, Pîtahawirâta
and Ckiri. The Rêsâru Council shall have the
right to review all acts of the Pawnee
Business Council regarding the Pawnee
Nation citizenship and Pawnee Nation
claims or rights growing out of Treaties
between the Pawnee Nation and the United
States, provided:
(A) Such acts of the Pawnee Business
Council shall be valid unless formally
disapproved by the Rêsâru Council within
thirty (30) days after the acts are referred to
the Rêsâru Council; and
(B) Where such acts are disapproved by the
Rêsâru Council, the Pawnee Business
Council may submit them to a referendum
vote by the Pawnee Nation citizens and the
acts shall become valid and effective if
approved by a majority vote of the adult
citizens voting in person or by absentee
ballot; provided that, at least fifty (50) of
those qualified to vote shall cast ballots in
such election.
Section 2. The Bands of the Pawnee Nation
shall elect their respective representatives
under rules and regulations prescribed by
the Chiefs of each Band. The representatives
selected shall serve until the next regular
selection of members of the Rêsâru Council.
Section 3. Vacancies in the membership of
the Rêsâru Council shall be filled under rules
and regulations prescribed by the Rêsâru
Council.
Section 4. The Rêsâru Council shall have the
power to establish its own offices and to
designate its officers, set its own meeting
days, and adopt its own rules of procedure;
provided a quorum is present to transact
business. Records of the proceedings of this
body shall be kept.
Section 5. All members of the Rêsâru Council
shall attend tribal constitution classes as
prescribed by the Pawnee Business Council.
Amendment N: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE IX - COURTS
Section 1. Establishment of Authority
Under its inherent sovereign authority, the
judicial power of the Pawnee Nation shall be
vested in the Pawnee Nation Courts
established by this Article and consist of five
(5) Judicial Officers and at least one (1) trial
court, known as the Pawnee Nation District
Court, and additional courts as may be
established by Pawnee Nation law.
Section 2. Jurisdiction
The Courts of the Pawnee Nation shall be
courts of general jurisdiction and have
jurisdiction in all cases or controversies
arising under Pawnee Nation Treaties, this
Constitution, or as provided by Pawnee
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Nation law or in equity. The Pawnee Nation
Supreme Court shall have original
jurisdiction in cases and controversies as
provided by law or in equity appellate
jurisdiction in all other cases.
Section 3. Selection of Judicial Officers
The Judges of the District Courts and the
Justices of the Pawnee Nation Supreme
Court shall be selected and appointed by a
majority vote of the Business Council. Judges
and Justices may, by Supreme Court Rule,
assume the duties of a member of the other
court to hear a specific case in which the
regular Judge or Justice is disqualified or is
otherwise unable to perform his/her duty.
Provided, no Judge or Justice shall preside
over a matter in the Pawnee Nation
Supreme Court if he/she presided over the
same matter in the Pawnee Nation District
Court.
Section 4. Term of Office
The Judges and Justices of the Pawnee
Nation shall serve terms according to
Pawnee Nation law beginning on the date of
his/her appointment and continue if
reconfirmed or until his/her successor has
been duly appointed and confirmed.
Section 5. Removal
Judges and Justices of the Pawnee Nation
may be removed from office only by a
majority vote of the other active Judges and
Justices sitting together upon a showing of
habitual neglect of the duties of office,
oppression in office for personal gain or
advantage, or for cause as defined in Article
VII, Section 4 (C). In no case may a judicial
officer be removed from office because of
his/her decision in any case before the Court.
Section 6. Judicial Review
The Pawnee Nation Courts are specifically
authorized to review, in any case properly
before them, the actions of the Pawnee
Business Council, or any other officers,
agents, or employees of the government of
the Pawnee Nation to determine whether
those actions are prohibited by Federal law,
this Constitution or the laws of the Pawnee
Nation. The Courts may enter an injunction
or other equitable relief or declare the action
unconstitutional and void as justice may
require.
Section 7. Separation of Powers
The Pawnee Nation Courts shall be a
separate branch of government. The Pawnee
Business Council shall have the authority to
enact such laws as may be necessary for the
full and proper functioning of the Courts of
the Pawnee
Nation which are not inconsistent with this
Article. All existing laws regarding the Courts
shall remain in effect and may be amended
to the extent that they do not conflict with
this Constitution.
Section 8. Court Funding
The Pawnee Nation Courts shall be funded in
the annual budget in an amount equal to or
exceeding funding from the previous fiscal
year. If overall funding shortfalls require
budget cuts, the Court budget may be
reduced but proportionately not more than
any other brand of government.
Amendment O: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE X - BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1. All citizens of the Pawnee Nation
shall enjoy, without hindrance, freedom of
worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly,
association, and the right to a clean and
sustainable environment.
Section 2. This Constitution shall not in any
way alter, abridge, or otherwise jeopardize
the rights and privileges of the Pawnee
Nation or its citizens as citizens of the United
States or of any State. The Indian Civil Rights
Act (ICRA) of 1968 and the rights guaranteed
under this Constitution are applicable to all
tribal members and citizens and other
persons subject to Pawnee Nation
jurisdiction.
Section 3. The individual property rights of
any citizen of the Pawnee Nation shall not be
altered, abridged, or otherwise affected by
the provisions of this Constitution without
the consent of such individual citizen.
Section 4. The enumeration in the
Constitution of the Pawnee Nation of certain
rights shall not be construed to deny or
disparage other rights retained by Pawnee
Nation citizens.
Section 5. No citizen of the Pawnee Nation,
eighteen (18) years of age or older, shall be
denied the right to vote by secret ballot,
either in person or by absentee ballot,
provided that no write-in votes shall be
allowed.
Section 6. Pawnee Nation Citizens shall have
the inherent right to preserve and foster
their historic, linguistic, and cultural lifeways.
The Pawnee Nation shall protect and
promote the language, culture, and
traditional ways of all Pawnee people.
Amendment P: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution
may be proposed by a majority vote of the
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Pawnee Business Council or by a petition
signed by at least two percent (2%) of the
adult citizens of the Pawnee Nation.
Section 2. This Constitution may be
amended by a majority vote of the qualified
voters of the Pawnee Nation voting in an
election called for that purpose by the
Pawnee Business Council and conducted
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Pawnee Nation. Provided that, at least four
percent (4%) of those qualified to vote shall
cast ballots in such election.
Section 3. An amendment shall become
effective when the vote is certified by the
Election Commission and submitted to the
Secretary of the Pawnee Business Council.
Amendment Q: to be amended as follows:
Article XII - PLACE OF MEETINGS
Unless some other location in the Pawnee
Nation jurisdiction is designated in the
notice, all meetings of the Pawnee Business
Council and of the Rêsâru Council shall be
held, in person or virtual, at the Pawnee
Nation Reserve at Pawnee, Oklahoma.
Amendment R: be amended as follows: to
remove “Article XIII – Adoption”
Amendment S: to be amended as follows:
ARTICLE XIII - SAVINGS CLAUSE
All enactments of the Pawnee Nation
adopted before the effective date of this
Constitution shall continue in effect to the
extent that they are not inconsistent with
this Constitution.
Amendment T: be amended as follows:
ARTICLE XIV - SEVERABILITY
If any provision of the Pawnee Nation
Constitution shall, in the future, be declared
invalid or unconstitutional or in violation of
Federal or Pawnee Nation law, it is the
intent of the Pawnee Nation that the invalid
portion shall be severed and the remaining
provisions shall remain in full force and
effect.
Amendment U: be amended as follows;
ARTICLE XV – SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY
In fully exercising its self-determination and
sovereign powers, the Pawnee Nation shall
be immune from suit except to the extent
that the Pawnee Business Council expressly
waives the Nation’s sovereign immunity or
as provided by in this Constitution.
=========== END
The red-lined version of the proposed
changes can be viewed on the Pawnee
Nation website under the Constitution
Convention webpage at
https://pawneenation.org/government/
constitution-convention/.
COMMUNITY HOUSE TREE
REMOVAL
On December 9, 2025, the “old tree” in front of
the Community House located at 451 Morris
Road, began the process of removal.
Employees responded with a sentimental
attachment, requesting a picture be taken before
it was gone.
1950s negative donated by Dennis Charles Knife Chief
family/James Rice (gifted to Pat Leading Fox)
In an interview with Gilbert S. Beard, Ckiri Risaru
on the Nasharo Council, cultural significance was
the topic. According to Risaru Beard, “the tree
had been there for a very long time. It probably
began growing or was planted when the building
was first built. It had to have been almost, if not
100 years old.”
Beard also mentioned how many events and
activities the “old tree” had attended in standing
on front of the Community House. “There is no
telling how many Funeral Feasts, Native
American Church Ceremonies, Handgames, Band
meetings, Family dinners, and other Family
functions that tree has looked over. If that tree
could talk...ya know? I myself was sad to see it go.”
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PAWNEE NATION FIRE
DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS ANNUAL
TESTING
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2025,
RANDEE MARKS
Jon James, Emergency Manager/Pawnee Nation Fire Chief
On December 22, 2025, Jon James, the Pawnee
Nation Emergency Manager and Fire Chief, is seen
performing the Division’s Annual Fire Truck and
Pump Testing.
The scope of testing applies to various types of fire
apparatus, including pumpers, tankers, aerial
platforms, quints, and rescue vehicles like our PN
Fire Trucks.
Randee Marks, Indian Child Welfare Coordinator
Randee Marks was recently voted by all
Pawnee Nation Employees as the Employee
of the Year for 2025.
Randee has over six years in protection
services and six years of academic training in
social services. She was recently accepted
into the Culture Keepers Fellowship Program
through the Center of Workforce Excellence
and Leadership.
According to the NFPA 1901, "Standard for
Automotive Fire Apparatus, Annual Testing:
Mandates yearly pump performance tests (vacuum,
primer, 100%, 70%, 50% capacity) and checks of hoses
and equipment.
The NFPA 1901 defines minimum requirements for
apparatus used in emergency response, ensuring
they are safe and functional.
Thank you Emergency Management for keeping the
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma a safe place prepared
for emergencies and the safe-keeping of our tribal
people.
Jon T. James
Pawnee Nation Emergency Manager/ Fire Chief
The Culture Keepers Fellowship Program is
focused on relational leadership. Across 12
months, its goal is to develop and advance
Tribal child welfare leaders to:
Realign Tribal child welfare systems with
traditional knowledge and culture.
Prioritize cultural well-being.
Advance staff well-being.
The fellowship’s program model is grounded
in Tribal culture and values and is designed
to be tailored to individual Tribal programs.
Important work like this and the long hours
and dedication to the Pawnee Nation of
Oklahoma is why Randee Marks is setting
employee standards and taking home this
award! Congratulations, Randee!
Randee Marks
Indian Child Welfare Coordinator
Phone: (918) 762- 9779 ext. 175
301 Agency rd. Pawnee Ok, 74058
Email:rm0533@pawneenation.org
Work 918-762-3655 ext.156
881 Little Dee Drive
Cell 405-880-3831
Pawnee, OK 74058
JJ0588@PawneeNation.org
www.PawneeNation.org
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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.