Deep discussions on issues affecting Native American tribes will highlight the 38th Sovereignty Symposium, which is currently accepting panel presentation proposals and entries for its annual writing and student poster competitions.
The Ï㽶Ðã University School of Law is hosting the annual event, scheduled for June 15 and 16 at the OKANA Resort in Ï㽶Ðã. The symposium serves as a prestigious, scholarly setting for the consideration of legal and policy issues facing tribal communities and acts as a platform for the celebration of tribal sovereignty in all its forms — legal, cultural and economic. Guidelines and submission forms are available online at .
Panel presentation proposals
The symposium invites legal experts, policymakers, tribal leaders and academics to submit proposals for panel presentations by Jan. 31, 2026. Panel sessions are 1.75 hours in length, and proposals may be submitted for individual presentations or complete panels. Interactive and innovative session formats are highly encouraged.
Discussion topics may cover the entire landscape of Indian Country, from self-determination and jurisdictional challenges to economic development, health care policy and the future of tribal communities.
Proposals must include a session title, an abstract, names and biographical information for all presenters, presentation format, audio/visual requirements, and contact information for all participants.
Writing and poster competitions
The symposium hosts academic competitions with monetary awards. All submissions for writing and poster competitions are due by March 27, 2026.
· Hargrave Prize for Writings by Past or Present Symposium Faculty: This prize awards $1,500, $1,000 and $750 for the best three original and previously unpublished papers. The winning entries will be published in the 2026 symposium book. The prize is named for former Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Rudolph Hargrave, who served on the court for more than 30 years including a stint as chief justice.
· Doolin Prize for Students: Open to any student enrolled in college at any level (undergraduate or graduate), the Doolin Prize offers first, second and third prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500. The winning entry will be published in the symposium book. The prize is named in honor of former Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice John B. Doolin, who first initiated the conversation about creating the Sovereignty Symposium.
· Hager Prize: $1,000 will be awarded for the best writing, by either a student or symposium faculty member, on the Indian Child Welfare Act or any legal issue concerning Native American children. The winning entry will also be published in the symposium book. The prize is named for C. Steven Hager, who worked as senior staff attorney at Oklahoma Indian Legal Services for many years.
· Blue Clark Student Poster Competition: This competition is open to undergraduate and graduate college students. Students must submit an abstract (250–300 words) in a PDF attachment along with the submission form. The competition is named in memory of the longtime Ï㽶Ðã Law professor and dedicated member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation who started American Indian studies programs at several universities.
For questions regarding the symposium or any of the competitions, email [email protected].
