Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band

Thick Water, who was Tecumseh’s first cousin, best friend, first warrior and personal body guard became “leader” of this remnant Shawnee group. Tecumseh’s children and other family members went to Oklahoma after Tecumseh’s death.

NO member of the Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band claims to be a DIRECT descendant of Tecumseh. Most members of the Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band are descendants of the remnant families who lived in the 36 Shawnee communities.

The Remnant Shawnee leadership continued through Thick Water’s line for 7 generations to today’s date. Hawk Pope was elected "Chief" by his people in 1971 when he was 30 years old. The Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band reorganized in 1971 gathering the remaining Shawnee descendants from the 36 communities. At the time of reorganization, the Remnant Band had 312 people on its rolls. By 1995, the Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band numbered over 600 members on its rolls.

Even after genealogical proof of at least 1/16 Shawnee blood, it takes two full years of probationary time before the Shawnee Council takes a vote whether or not to accept a petitioner into the tribe. Meeting all requirements does not automatically guarantee full Tribal status.

The Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band is a STATE-RECOGNIZED Historical Tribe. It took 2 years of testimony hearings in front of a Special House Committee and this legislation had to be voted upon and passed by both the Ohio Senate and the House of Representatives. This JOINT resolution was passed by the House of Representatives in July 1979 and by the Senate on January 29, 1980. The Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band is the only Ohio State Recognized Tribe.

The Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band DOES NOT RECEIVE any Federal or State funding of any kind. We do not seek it. The Tribe does not receive any funding from any United States or Canadian Granting Foundation. We ask for nothing from any other Tribe or Native American Organization.

In December of 1995, the Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band purchased its first tribal business. Zane Shawnee Caverns and Southwind Park (7092 State Route 540, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311– 7 miles east of Bellefontaine). This family-oriented park hosts a 3/8 mile caverns guided-tour,a Shawnee Village, Colonial Village & Native American Woodland Museum, over 65 campsites (RV and tent), 8 cabins, fishing, swimming, hiking, pick and recreation areas.

This land is the first Tribally-Owned Shawnee land in Ohio since 1830.

The Shawnee traditional ceremonies, songs, dances, crafts and skills are kept alive through education and practice of Tribal members. These traditions have been passed down from generation to generation and continue today with our own children.