Building relationships with Tribal Nations requires time, patience, and genuine commitment. Following these principles, particularly if it can occur prior to outreach, will help foster trust, respect, and meaningful collaboration. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of principles, but it serves as a starting point for ethical and effective engagement.

1. Tribal Sovereignty and Governance: Tribal Nations are sovereign governments with inherent rights to self-govern. Ensure all interactions respect their sovereignty.
2. Understand Cultural and Historical Context: Research the specific values, customs, traditions, and histories of the Tribal Nation(s) you intend to engage with. Understand that Tribal Nations and their citizens have endured a history of unethical research by outsiders from their communities. At times this has included universities.
3. University-to-Government Engagement: Working with Tribal Nations should be approached with the same respect and care as engaging with other governments. Consultation and adherence to tribal protocols are essential.
4. Mutual Benefit: Collaborations should aim for reciprocal value, delivering meaningful benefits to both the Tribal Nation and the university, with a focus on sustainability and long-term impact.

• Does the activity involve collaboration with Tribal Nation officials or citizens?
• Does it include human subject research or impact tribal lands, rights, or resources?
• Does your work involve elements that are deeply significant to tribes, such as Indigenous knowledge systems (sometimes referred to as Traditional Knowledge), ceremonial practices, Native languages, or items of cultural or spiritual importance?
• If your project involves documenting or publishing materials related to a tribe’s language, culture, or traditions, it is essential to consult with the tribe first. Native languages may be considered intellectual and cultural property, and engaging without permission can cause harm or offense.
• For projects involving sacred objects, human remains, or items of cultural patrimony, consult the NAGPRA Oversight Committee for guidance and compliance requirements.
• For background information about tribes, tribal lands and rights, and tribes in Oklahoma, and to see a short reference guide to OU resources, see Resources.

Early and Ongoing Communication: For initiatives considering tribal involvement, consider including tribal priorities in the planning stages and maintain communication throughout the project lifecycle. Be mindful of tribal laws and approval processes, which may vary among tribes and require additional time for their internal review.

Preparation: Create clear agendas, solidify meeting purposes, and document engagements thoroughly to respect tribal officials’ time and policies.

Formalize Agreements: Consider the use of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) or Agreements (MOAs) to outline collaboration terms. Include provisions for data management, communication frequency, and adherence to tribal and university policies. In addition to review by the necessary university officials, such processes may also include internal review by the tribe, which may take time.

Informed Consent: Consider whether it is appropriate to obtain enhanced consent, particularly when working with sensitive areas like genetic research, cultural artifacts, or sacred objects.

Tribal Institutional Review Boards: Not unlike other IRBs, some tribes may also have their own tribal institutional review board that oversees research projects involving the tribe and tribal citizens. Many tribes may not have established review boards but may still have laws and policies or other approval processes when it comes to research requests of their community. Ensure all research complies with tribal protocols and ethical standards.

Data Sovereignty: Data sovereignty is the right of tribes to self-govern their data and how it is collected, stored, and used. Some examples where tribes assert data sovereignty can include: health, tribal land, energy, and natural resources. Tribes may wish to discuss data usage, ownership, and storage in a manner that respects their sovereignty over data practices. For more information on data sovereignty, see The University of Arizona’s Native Nations Institute, “Indigenous Data Sovereignty & Governance” webpage located at https://nni.arizona.edu/our-work/research-policy-analysis/indigenous-data-sovereignty-governance.

The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR), situated within the Office of the President, consists of two components: the Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations and the Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research, a policy research institute focused on tribal sovereignty and governance. These two entities serve distinct purposes within the university.

Special Guidance for OU Faculty, Staff, and Administrators

Questions related to university partnerships, engagement protocols, or outreach to tribal governments should be directed to the Office of Tribal Relations at tribalrelations@ou.edu. The AVP for Tribal Relations advises university leadership and units on high-level engagement strategy and maintains oversight of OU’s intergovernmental relationships with Tribal Nations. The Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research produces high-quality, nonpartisan research designed to inform Tribal policy decision-making and is not responsible for coordinating Tribal outreach on behalf of the University.

We encourage university personnel to notify the Office of Tribal Relations if you are planning to engage with Tribal Nations, especially when such engagement may have institutional visibility or long-term implications. In particular, any outreach to elected tribal leadership—such as Chiefs, Presidents, or Governors—should be preceded by a brief notification to OTR. Before initiating outreach to Tribal Nations, faculty and staff should first notify their department chair, unit director, or other supervisor. This internal coordination should occur prior to notifying the Office of Tribal Relations, especially when elected tribal leadership is involved. This helps ensure that OU’s engagement reflects intergovernmental respect and coordinated communication.

Please include a short summary of your outreach intent and the name of the leader you wish to contact. For tracking purposes, include “Tribal Leader Outreach” in the subject line of your email to tribalrelations@ou.edu.

While the Office of Tribal Relations cannot coordinate all tribal engagement across campus, we are available to advise on high-level matters and assist in aligning efforts with best practices in tribal consultation and partnership.

Contact the OTR for:

• General guidance on tribal protocols, consultation principles, and considerations relevant to your discipline or initiative;
• Examples of effective engagement strategies or referrals to others on campus working on similar efforts;
• Information about training opportunities related to tribal sovereignty, relationship-building, and ethical practices (For example, see the Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research’s Ethical Tribal Engagement canvas course).

Before Contacting the Office of Tribal Relations

• Review these best practices to assess the scope and sensitivity of your project;
• Consider how your initiative may impact tribal sovereignty, require cultural considerations, or benefit from mutual exchange.