The Pawnees

From the Prairies, was a Native American group called the Pawnees, who were known for being bison hunters and farmers. The Pawnees were located in northern Kansas and south central Nebraska. The Pawnees would call themselves Chaticks-Si-Chaticks, this means “People of People,” or “Men of Men.” Pawnee is an unclear name that many people didn’t know what it meant. It seems to be a number of groups on central Plains. The Pawnees went through major struggle as they had to fight to live against disease, warfare, and the loss of their resources. Caddoan language, is the language that the Pawnees spoke. It was a large group that extended from the north to the south. Wichita and Caddo are also part of the Caddoan group. They spoke two major dialects

that was spoken by three southern groups, Skiri and South Band.
Although there are many stories telling us about the creation of the Pawnees, there are even more stories that let us know about each town that was created as well.

These stories included about all their traditions, history, morality, and basic information about the Pawnees. One example is called the Skiri story. The Skiri story was about heaven existed in a dark universe. There were four different stars that was a different direction. These stars also support the sky over the earth. It was told that Heaven gave power to the stars so that they could create people. Then two storms created earth, the first storm gave earth structure and the second storm provided it with life. Four more storms came along and created trees and underbrush, watercourses, and cultivated seeds. A man and a woman were created by the stars and were sent to the earth, where they began to increase their population. This is how the world and the Pawnees came to

be.
The Pawnees lived mostly in earth covered houses. These houses were used for residences and ceremonial activities. The houses could be quite large, having a 50 to 60 feet in diameter and being 12 feet high inside. They also have an entrance on the side and at the top they have a smoke whole. If the houses were built properly they would last between 10 to 15 years. In chief and priest houses, ceremonies and communal events were out on in their houses because they have larger houses than anyone else. Tipis were what they lived in while they were traveling during the winter. Men traveled by horseback, they were always ready to protect themselves and their groups while they traveled. Women and children would usually walk behind them during hunting trips, and the sick and injured were transported on the travois. When they traveled the rivers, they used a reed boat. The Pawnees would wear tattoos on their face, both men and women. Red paint was freely applied to anywhere on their bodies Depending on accomplishments in battle, the men would wear feathers in their hair. The Pawnees weapons that they used were bow and arrows, lance, club, and shields. Later on they took on guns which became very important to the Pawnees.
Today there are about 500 to 800 Pawnees that live near Pawnee, Oklahoma.

They live on a reservation that they have had since 1875. Many other Pawnees are living through the country, most of them are in the area of Oklahoma City and Wichita. In 1938, their tribal government was formed and it consisted of two councils. The Chief’s Council is a variety of elected chiefs and they deal with the political issues going on for their tribes. The more powerful tribe is the Business Council. They administrate business interests, oil leases, service stations, casinos, and land developments. Grants and aid from the government is what the Pawnees really depend on. In today’s society, the Pawnee women have lost a great amount of power. Traditional customs still go on today and they are still important to the Pawnees. Although they are trying to promote change a Ghost Dance was performed in

1998.