The Sovereignty Symposium is a national event held for the past 35 years in Oklahoma to provide a forum in which ideas concerning common legal issues among those in the legal professions, federal and state officials, and the state’s Native American tribes can be exchanged in a scholarly, non-adversarial environment. It was originally established by the Oklahoma Supreme Court with this being the first year Oklahoma City University will be involved in the symposium. 

The move to transfer the symposium to OCU is because of the institution’s long history within its School of Law of teaching and working in Oklahoma Indian Country. OCU law houses the American Indian Law and Sovereignty Center as well as its American Indian Wills Clinic. OCU President Kenneth Evans explains further, “Oklahoma City University is honored to be able to host and administer the Sovereignty Symposium for years to come. Our School of Law and our university at-large emphasize collaboration with Oklahoma’s 39 tribal governments and their citizens. Hosting the symposium is a natural extension of our continuing efforts.”

This year’s symposium will take place June 13-14, 2023, at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. Titled “Treaties,” the keynote speaker will be Baroness Emma Nicholson of Winterbourne, a life peer and member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. For more information or to register to attend, please go to thesovereigntysymposium.com.