Competitions & Proposals

Sovereignty Symposium XXXIX – 2027 will be held at the OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 16-17, 2027. We invite proposals on any issue concerning Native American law.

Competition information will be released at a later date.

Call for Proposals

Proposals must be submitted by December 31, 2026.

The Sovereignty Symposium invites proposals for panel presentations at its 39th annual gathering, to be held at the new OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City. This prestigious symposium provides a scholarly setting for the consideration of legal and policy issues facing tribal communities, as well as a platform for the celebration of tribal sovereignty in all its forms – legal, cultural and economic.

PRESENTATION FORMAT

  • Panel sessions are 1.5 hours in length
  • Proposals may be submitted for individual presentations or complete panels
  • Interactive and innovative session formats are welcome

SUGGESTED TOPICS

Proposals may address (but are not limited to):
  • Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and intergovernmental relations
  • Jurisdictional challenges in Indian Country
  • Economic development, taxation, and infrastructure in tribal communities
  • Environmental and natural resource law in Indian Country
  • Tribal courts, dispute resolution, and access to justice
  • Vulnerable populations, education, and healthcare policy
  • Cultural preservation, language revitalization, and intellectual property
  • Emerging issues: technology, climate change, and tribal futures
  • Ethics and professional responsibility in Indian law practice

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please submit your proposal including:

  1. Proposed session title
  2. Abstract (300 words maximum)
  3. Names and biographical information of all presenters
  4. Format of presentation
  5. Audio/visual requirements
  6. Contact information for all participants

DEADLINE
Proposals must be submitted by December 31, 2026.

Please submit proposals using the form below.

For questions or additional information, please contact: sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu