Skip Navigation

Tribal Engagement 101 - Spring 2025

OU Native Nations Center, The University of Oklahoma website wordmark

HYBRID SEMINAR

TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT 101

February 19, 2025

Wednesday

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

Central Time

Native Nations Event Center

Copeland Hall 233
OU Norman Campus

Streaming Online via Zoom

Link Available Upon Registration

  OVERVIEW

The Tribal Engagement 101 introduces participants to Tribal Nations and their unique identities, histories, and government structures, with a focus on understanding the basics of tribal sovereignty. The webinar highlights the historical framework of U.S. tribal relations, as well as the federal government's unique government-to-government relationship with Tribal Nations. This webinar then explores the importance of building respectful and collaborative relationships between Tribal Nations and the University of Oklahoma. It emphasizes the significance of honoring tribal sovereignty, engaging in meaningful consultation, and fostering mutual partnerships that benefit all parties involved. Participants learn about the best practices for effective communication and will consider strategies to promote reciprocity. The overall goal is to cultivate positive and sustainable university relationships that support and respect Tribal Nations, their sovereignty, and their priorities.

  SPEAKERS

TANA FITZPATRICK, (LAKOTA / CROW / PONCA / CHICKASAW)

Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations, The Univeristy of Oklahoma

Tana Fitzpatrick (Lakota/Crow/Ponca/Chickasaw) joined the University of Oklahoma in March 2022 as the Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations. Prior to joining the university, Tana served the U.S. Congress as a policy analyst in the Library of Congress’s Congressional Research Service. While at CRS, Tana advised members of Congress and their staff as the expert on matters involving tribal lands and natural resources.

Tana’s career also includes four years in the federal executive branch, beginning with the U.S. Department of the Interior as a Senior Counselor to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, with later roles in the White House Office of Management and Budget and the National Indian Gaming Commission. In addition to federal service, Tana worked as an attorney for two tribal communities in Arizona. She served the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community as a tribal prosecutor and worked as in-house counsel for the Gila River Indian Community.

Tana earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from Oklahoma City University and a Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Tana is a member of the Crow Tribe of Montana and a descendent of the Lakota Sioux, Ponca, and Chickasaw nations.

  VENUE & PARKING

We are thrilled to welcome you to our upcoming event, and we want to ensure that your experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. To help you navigate the venue and parking arrangements, we have compiled important information for your convenience.

Event Venue: Our event will be hosted at the Native Nations Event Center which is located on the OU Norman Campus, in Copeland Hall, Room 233. 

Address:
860 Van Vleet Oval
Norman, OK 73019

The venue is positioned southwest of the OU Norman campus, providing a convenient and accessible location for all attendees.

Parking Information: Parking for the event is available on the west side of Copeland Hall, ensuring convenient access for all attendees. Please note that a parking pass is required to park in the designated area. To obtain a parking pass, you may request one through the link below. 

Parking Pass Pick-Up: For added convenience, attendees will have the opportunity to pick up their parking passes during the event check-in process. Our staff will be available to assist you and ensure a swift and hassle-free experience.

We understand the importance of a stress-free arrival, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to the parking guidelines. If you have any questions or require further assistance regarding parking or venue details, please do not hesitate to contact the Native Nations Center at nnc@ou.edu or call us at (405) 325-4553.

  POST-EVENT SURVEY

We sincerely appreciate your participation in this event. Your insights are crucial in helping us refine and improve our future events. We kindly request you to take a few moments to share your feedback through our post-event survey. Your thoughtful responses will contribute significantly to our ongoing efforts to enhance an overall experience.

Available at the conclusion of the event.