On October 21, 1891, the tribe signed an agreement with the Cherokee Commission to accept individual allotments of land.

20th century

By 1921, only 34 tribal members remained. Their numbers have since increased to close to 950 as of 2023. The Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma incorporated under the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act in 1938. near Gause, in Milam County. The mountain figures into a number of tribes' histories and is along El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail near the site of Rancheria Grande. The tribe knows it as "Red Mountain" and is a part of their origin story. The tribe partnered with El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association with plans to make it into a historic park.

Government

The Tonkawa Tribe is led by an elected president and council.

  • President: Russell Martin
  • Vice President: Patrick Waldroup
  • Secretary Treasurer: Racheal N. Starr

Economy

The Tonkawa tribe operates several businesses which had an annual economic impact of over $10,860,657 in 2011. Along with several smoke shops, the tribe runs three different casinos: Tonkawa Indian Casino and Tonkawa Gasino located in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and the Native Lights Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma. The Tonkawa Hotel and Casino has a steakhouse, the Buffalo Grill and Lounge.

Land

The Tonkawa's tribal jurisdictional area is in Kay County, Oklahoma, and their headquartered are in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in Milam County, Texas, will become part of a historical park.

Institutions and events

thumb|200px|Tonkawa otter pelt turban, circa 1880, Oklahoma, [[Oklahoma History Center]]

The tribe owns the Tonkawa Tribal Museum in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, which shares the history and culture of the tribe through photographs, art, and artifacts with free admission. They also maintain the Tonkawa and Nez Perce cemeteries.

The City of Austin and leadership from the Tonkawa Tribe celebrated Austin-Tonkawa Friendship Day on September 12, 2024.

Tonkawa bands

The Tonkawa were made up of various groups. These groups are generally counted as Tonkawa:

  • Cava
  • Emet
  • Ervipiame
  • Mayeye
  • Quiutcanuaha
  • Sana
  • Tenu
  • Tetzino
  • Tishin
  • Toho
  • Tohaha
  • Tonkawa (proper)
  • Tusolivi
  • Ujuiap
  • Yojuane.