Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma

The Ponca originally lived in the Ohio River Valley. Later, they moved into what is now South Dakota. At the beginning of the 1700's, the movement of the Sioux into their territory forced the Ponca south into Nebraska. The Ponca language is related to that of the Kaw (Kansa), Omaha, Osage, and Quapaw. In their native tongue, the word "Ponca" means "Sacred Head."

Subsisting mainly by hunting buffalo, the Ponca organized two major hunts a year to provide meat and hides. Special "Buffalo Police" were responsible for making the hunt go smoothly. When they hunted buffalo, the Ponca lived in tipis. The rest of the year they lived in earth or hide covered lodges in fortified towns. Farming and fishing supplemented the Ponca diet.

In 1877, a number of Ponca were removed to Oklahoma. They were unhappy with their allotted lands and appealed to Congress. Some lands in Nebraska were returned to the Ponca and some tribal members went back north. The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma was established in 1950 and is governed by a seven-member committee.

About the Flag:

The sun and three tipis appear on the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma flag. A peace pipe is shown in the foreground.

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