Each Quapaw town had several hereditary chiefs. Unlike European leaders at the time, however, their power was not absolute. They had to consult with the members of the town's tribal council before they made any important decisions. The council was composed of tribal elders and young men who had distinguished themselves by performing valiantly in combat. When ceremonies occurred, the council would sit behind the chiefs and the rest of the town tribe would sit in front of him.
The leadership of hereditary chiefs continued until into the early 20th century, when Tallchief (Louis Angel) died. He had no sons to pass his position on to, although some of the sacred duties traditionally performed by the chief were maintained by Tallchief's daughter, Maude Supernaw, until her death in 1972.
At Tallchief's death in 1918, the traditional system of hereditary chiefs ended and the Quapaw shifted to a form of goverment set up by the tribal members who remained on the reservation. In the new form of goverment, some of the aspects of traditional govermental structure remained, but the tribal chief was elected. From 1918 to 1958, the Quapaw elected Peter Clabber (1918-1926), John Quapaw (1927-1928), and Victor Griffin (1929-1958).
This system of government changed in 1956. Starting that year, the Quapaw government became an elected body called the Quapaw Business Council. It is composed of a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary treasurer, and four council members. They coordinate Quapaw activities and handle administrative and financial details of running the tribe.