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Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research

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WELCOME TO THE

NATIVE NATIONS CENTER

FOR TRIBAL POLICY RESEARCH

  LASTEST NEWS

Panel DiscussionMarch 5, 2025Native Nations Center

This panel brings together tribal leaders and experts to discuss the impact of AI on sovereignty, ethical technology use in tribal communities, and key legal and policy considerations. Featuring Warren Queton (Kiowa Tribe Legislator for District 7), Dr. Matthew Beattie (Professor of Applied Artificial Intelligence, OU Polytechnic Institute), and Alex Pearl (Chickasaw Nation Citizen & OU Law Professor), the discussion explores privacy, ethics, and responsible AI adoption in tribal governance. Watch now to gain valuable insights into AI’s role in tribal decision-making and sovereignty.

Watch Replay
Press Release (OU News)
Event Page


December 19, 2024Native Nations Center

Proposed improvements to federal tribal consultations include standardizing processes, enhancing website access, and funding tribal experts.


December 15, 2024Tribal Business News

"According to Native Americans in Philanthropy, Native American populations receive only 0.4% of philanthropic dollars despite making up 2% of the U.S...
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November 15, 2024OU News

Tahdooahnippah examined the trust relationships embedded in treaties between Tribal Nations and the U.S. government. His presentation included the his...
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  IN THE SPOTLIGHT

FALL 2024

GRACE HARRIS (CHEROKEE NATION)

Native Nations Center Intern & Native American Studies Mellon Impact Undergraduate Fellow

Grace Harris is a member of the Cherokee Nation and senior undergrad double majoring in Political Science and Native American Studies. Her aspirations include going to law school after graduation and focusing on Native law, in hopes of working for either a tribe or the federal government in tribal advocacy. Her time at the Native Nations Center was spent updating a spreadsheet on federal and tribal government relationships, specifically on the consultation process. This spreadsheet includes federal agency liaisons to tribes as well as any important contact information needed in the consultation process. She was also held responsible for completing a research memo on this process, as well as any recommendations for future administrations in attempts to improve the federal and tribal government relationship. Other tasks such as cleaning and setting up for events in the event center, as well as attending important affairs were completed.

 

Research Blog

  • Student Research Spotlight: Improving Federal-Tribal Consultation Processes
  • SCOUT HUGGINS (CHEROKEE NATION)

    Native Nations Center Intern & Native American Studies Mellon Impact Undergraduate Fellow

    I [Scout Huggins] am a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. I am a senior who transferred to the University of Oklahoma in the Fall of 2022 after completing my associate degree in Kansas at Coffeyville Community College where I played baseball. I am a Native American Studies major with a Political Science minor. I am also a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. I plan to attend law school after I graduate, specializing in tribal law. As a NAS Mellon Impact Undergraduate Fellow and an intern at the Native Nations Center, I am a beginning researcher who takes pride in helping my people however I can. 

      CALENDAR


    JUN
    2025

    TBD (June 2025)

    11:45 am - 1:15 pm CT

    Streaming Online via Zoom

    TBD (OU Health Sciences Center - Oklahoma City)

      LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

    Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.

    We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Osage, and Quapaw nations. 

    Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.

    The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its Indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgement is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.