Kickapoo Tribal Government

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The Kickapoo Tribe, a federally recognized sovereign Indian Tribe, is organized under the provisions of section 16 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, as amended by the Act of June 15, 1935.

 

The Kickapoo Constitution and By-Laws delineated the procedures for electing a governing body known as the Kickapoo Tribal Council. This council comprises seven elected enrolled members of the Kickapoo Tribe, each serving a two-year term. The Kickapoo Tribal Council serves as the official governing body for the Kickapoo Tribe, as in the Kickapoo Constitution and By-Laws. The council possesses enumerated powers, including the authority to negotiate with Federal, State, and local governments.

 

As a Sovereign Indian Nation, the Kickapoo Tribal Council assumes various governmental responsibilities, including the jurisdictional authority over the Kickapoo Reservation. The Tribal Council convenes regular meetings to address and resolve matters pertinent to the Kickapoo Reservation community, enterprises, legal matters, and the overall operations of the tribal government.

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The Kickapoo people possess their own distinct traditions, historical background, cultural heritage, and language. The Kickapoo Reservation spans a twelve-by-twenty-mile expanse and is situated approximately forty north of Topeka, Kansas. As of May 2025, the tribal enrollment office has recorded a total membership of 1,512 individuals.