Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma

The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma is one of three federally recognized Kickapoo tribes in the United States. The Kickapoo are a Woodland tribe and speak an Algonquian language. They have close ties with other Kickapoo groups, including the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, and the Mexican Kickapoo. Along with tribes in Kansas, Texas, and Mexico, they make up a strong family of Kickapoo people. Their history and culture are important parts of the story of Native American communities in North America.

Government

The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma is based in McLoud, Oklahoma, and their tribal area includes Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties in Oklahoma.

There are 2,630 members of the tribe, and 1,856 of them live in Oklahoma. To join the tribe, a person must have at least a 1/4 Kickapoo heritage, called a blood quantum.

In 2025, the leaders of the tribe were:

• Chairman: Darwin Kaskaske
• Vice Chairman: Marlon Frye
• Secretary: Patricia Gonzales
• Treasurer: Vacant
• Councilperson: Evel Green

The tribe has its own housing program and makes its own vehicle tags.

Economic development

The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma owns a gas station and two casinos. In 2010, their businesses had an estimated economic impact of about $16 million each year. One of their casinos, called Kickapoo Casino, is located north of McLoud, Oklahoma, close to where the tribe’s main office is.

Language

In 2009, around 400 members of the Kickapoo Tribe could still speak the Kickapoo language. This language is special because it is still spoken by some children in Oklahoma today.

History

The Kickapoo people come from a word meaning "he moves from here to there." They belong to a larger group of tribes and share similar language and culture with the Sac and Fox. Records first mention the Kickapoo around 1667–70 near where two rivers meet. Later, they moved south and west due to pressure from other tribes, eventually settling in areas that are now Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, and Illinois.

Over time, the Kickapoo moved further west. By the early 1800s, they lived along several rivers but were pushed again, this time into Missouri. In 1832, they moved to Kansas, where some also traveled to Texas and later Mexico. Efforts to move the Kickapoo from Kansas and Mexico back to the United States led to some returning to what is now Oklahoma. The Kickapoo in Oklahoma faced changes in how their land was managed, but they continued to work and live on their territory through these years.

20th century

Indian Reorganization Act

In 1936, the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma organized itself under a special law called the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act. They created a constitution and rules for their government, with a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and a council member.

Claims Commission

In 1946, a law was passed to help tribes settle old problems or claims against the United States. The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma made several claims, asking for fair payment for land they had given up long ago. After many years, these claims were finally settled, though it took until 1980 to complete the process.

Mexican Kickapoo subgroup established

In 1979, people known as the Mexican Kickapoo asked for help because they didn’t have clear rights in either the United States or Mexico. In 1983, Congress recognized them as a special group within the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. Later, they could choose to become U.S. citizens or keep their Mexican citizenship. Today, the Mexican Kickapoo and the Oklahoma Kickapoo still work together, sharing health services and traditions.

Education

The Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas has a school called the Kickapoo Nation School.

The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma runs a day care center and a Head Start program to help children and families living in the area where the tribe originally lived.

Notable tribal citizens

Some well-known members of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma include Arigon Starr, who is a musician and comic artist, and Gregorio E. Kishketon, who worked as a liaison for Native American and Alaskan Native affairs at the Veterans Affairs department in Washington, D.C.