The Pawnee were amongst the first United States Indians to encounter Europeans. Francisco de Coronado encountered them in 1541. In more recent times, the Pawnee have migrated from their original homeland in what is now Texas up to the Great Plains lands ranging from Oklahoma through Nebraska. Today the Pawnee reside like so many other tribes, in Oklahoma, the former "Indian Territory".
The Pawnee name is derived from the Caddoan word "pariki" meaning "horn", describing the upright curved scalplock that was their unique hairstyle (ENAT, 179-181). They were unusual in that they have had a long friendly relationship with the United States government. The Pawnee saw the United States as allies against their traditional enemies the Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanches and other tribes. The Pawnee gained fame as scouts for the United States Army, and a battalion of them served from 1865 to 1885 within the army in the Plains.
This long association with the United States is reflected in the flag of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma today ("The Flag of the Pawnee Indians - Pawnee Nation", Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, undated, unsigned letter). Their flag is blue and bears a small representation of a U.S. flag in the upper part of the flag. The varient of the flag flown at the Oklahoma City Flag Plaza honoring the tribes residing in the state includes a ring of thirteen white stars, while the original design omits them. This is faced by a red wolf's head, since the Indians 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. On the Flag Plaza varient these three small stripes are omitted. 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 seven white arrowheads representing the seven 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, and the Gulf War.
As an entity, the flag means "Pawnee Indians, in peace and war, always courageous and always loyal to America".
What is unique to the Pawnee flag is the specifics regarding the pole and spearhead. The main flag of the Pawnee flown in the Tribal Headquarters in Pawnee, OK is to be mounted on an oldtime Pawnee lance bearing a genuine flint spearhead. The shaft of the lance has a special strip of buckskin bearing intricate beadwork designs down the length of the staff. Attached to the spearhead at the top are four primary eagle feathers.
It should be noted that the bald eagle is a protected species in the United States and the hunting of the bird is illegal. However, in respect toward the beliefs and customs of the Native Americans, the Interior Department and the National Parks' Service collect all bald eagles that die from natural causes, disease, or poaching and turn over the feathers to the various tribes for use in their ceremonies and customs.
The four feathers at top represent the four bands of the Pawnee - the Chauee, the Kitkahaki, Petahurat and Skedee.
On Homecoming days, Armistice Day, Christmas and on occasions of state, a sprig of cedar is to be attached to the staff. The Pawnee use cedar in their sacred ceremonies and use it in their prayers. Attached to the flagstaff it is seen as a token of peace and the prayers of the Pawnee people. The Pawnee consider their flag a sacred symbol, even though it only dates back to 1977, and under Pawnee law it should never be desecrated or allowed to touch the ground.
Recenntly, the Pawnee nation modified the flag to the design shown here to reflect participation in "Operation Desert Storm". The seventh arrowhead now appears in the row. The stripes at top and bottom are visible in the new design. Previously the falg bore only six arrowheads and one version shown below omitted the red-white-blue border stripes.
Thhe new flag is available from the Pawnee Nation. You may order it via their website!
<=== Direct Link to the Pawnee website
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