The Flag of the Pawnee Nation

The miniature stars and stripes on the blue field symbolizes America. This is faced by a red wolf's head, other tribes of the Plains referred to the Pawnee as "wolves" for their cunning and courage. This term translated into Pawnee as "Men of Men".

At the top and bottom of the flag are three narrow stripes, blue at the outermost, then white and finally red. Below the wolf's head are a crossed tomahawk and peace pipe or calumet, also in red. The two devices represent peace and war. Finally, below the tomahawk and calumet are eight white arrowheads representing the eight wars in which the Pawnee have fought in the service of the United States - the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War and Iraqi Freedom.

As an entity, the flag means "Pawnee Indians, in peace and war, always courageous and always loyal to America".

The flagstaff is an old time Pawnee Indian lance with a genuine flint spearhead.The flagstaff has beadwork mounted on buckskin opposite the blue field. The many colors in the beadwork symbolize our various tribal ceremonies and our people who have gone before us.Attached to the spearhead at the top are four primary eagle feathers represent the four Pawnee bands: the Chaui, "Grand"; Kitkehahki, "Republican"; the Petahauerat, "Tappage"; and the Skidi, "Wolf."

A sprig of cedar should be attached to the staff during Homecoming, Armistice Day, Christmas, and on occasians of state. We use cedar in sacred ceremonies, and use it also for prayer, Cedar, to us, is a token of prayer and a token of peace. Like the flag of the United States, the Pawnee Indian Flag should never be desecrated and it should never touch the ground.

©Copyright Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
P.O. Box 470 Pawnee,Ok 74058
For problems or questions regarding this web contact [webmaster@pawneenation.org]
last updated July 21, 2005