The Kanza (or Kansa) people are a member of the Siouan-Catawban linguistic family of North America. Known today as the Kaws, they are a federally recognized Indian tribe officially known as the Kaw Nation.
Under a legal agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior, they conduct tribal business from tribal headquarters at Kaw City in northern Oklahoma.
Their present constitution was adopted by the Kaw National Council (comprised of enrolled members age 18 and over) on August 14, 1990. The Executive Council is comprised of a chair, vice-chair, secretary and four additional tribal members and is elected by a majority vote of the National (or General) Council.[1]