Pawnees (or Paneassa, Bet, Pariki) are a tribe of Indiens of America of the Nebraska and Oklahoma (the United States). At the 18th century, they were the allies of the French, and played a big role in the limitation of the Spanish expansion, by beating them in a decisive way in 1720.

At the 19th century, epidemics threatened survival of these people, so much and so that one counted nothing any more but 600 individuals in 1900. In 2005, it counts approximately 2.500 people. Today Pawnees make parties of 4 distinct bands the Chaui, Kitkehahki, Pitahawirata and Skidi. Some names of Pawnees which with their manners marked time: White Horse, Buffalo Bull, Stalemate Leading Fox, Goerge Elton Howell, Mathieu Hamilton.