OU Hosts Panel on Ethical Tribal Engagement, Research Efforts

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NORMAN, OKLA. – Be prepared. That was the consistent message delivered during the University of Oklahoma’s recent panel “Ethical Tribal Engagement: Tribal and University Collaborations.”

Panelists from Oklahoma tribal nations and OU emphasized that successful research partnerships begin long before a proposal is written – with preparation, relationship-building and respect for tribal sovereignty.

“The most successful relationships aren’t just proposal-driven. They are built on trust, co-creation and planning for long-term relationships beyond a grant cycle,” said Peter Kavourgias, collections manager and registrar at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center. He added that the center provides extensive information online and encourages visitors to review the website first to identify the most appropriate contact before reaching out.

The event was hosted Oct. 23 by OU’s Center for Faculty Excellence in collaboration with OU’s Office of Tribal Relations. Tana Fitzpatrick, J.D., associate vice president of Tribal Relations, served as moderator.

Beverly Felton (Absentee Shawnee), public health director for the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System, said her tribe’s public health division often serves as a liaison across tribal departments. She encouraged researchers to start with the right contacts and clarify community needs before pursuing projects, noting that the tribe frequently receives walk-ins and cold calls about research opportunities.

“The ideal partnership begins with understanding who to talk to and what the community truly needs,” Felton said. “That means engaging our medical directors, CEOs and attorneys early, so agreements are clear from the start.”

R. Blake Norton, director and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center, stressed that tribes function as sovereign governments with their own priorities and review processes. He explained that each tribal government is structured differently, and departments may not always be aware of activities in other areas. For that reason, researchers are encouraged to learn about a tribe’s organization before reaching out, which helps ensure inquiries go to the right place and reduces the burden on tribal staff.

“For us, transparency and mutual benefit are key,” Norton said. “We’ve been fortunate to build lasting bonds, including a multi-year collaboration with OU’s Indigenous Media Portal. That project succeeded because we invested the time – nearly three years – to establish trust, agreements and a sustainable process that benefits both the university and our community.”

From the university’s perspective, Sierra Smith, director of OU’s Norman campus Institutional Review Board/Human Research Participant Protection office, described how OU works with tribes when research involves tribal communities.

“If a tribe has its own Institutional Review Board, we defer to them as the IRB of record,” Smith said. “If they don’t, we require clear documentation of collaboration and approval, and we encourage ongoing involvement throughout the research process. We want to be a resource, not a roadblock.”

Panelists advised OU researchers – especially those new to Oklahoma or to tribal research – to:

• Research information about the tribal community before outreach, such as reviewing their websites.
• Review the Ethical Tribal Engagement Basic Course in Canvas found here (available only to OU employees and students).
• Consult OU’s Center for Faculty Excellence and the Office of Tribal Relations early to develop a tribal engagement strategy.
• Co-create objectives, timelines and data-sharing plans with tribal partners.
• Build in time for tribal review processes.
• Keep communities informed through results, presentations and publications.

The panelists agreed that approaching tribes with humility, preparation and respect is the foundation for meaningful partnerships. “It really comes down to simple, open communication and ensuring projects serve the community first,” Norton said.

To learn more about the Office of Tribal Relations in the Office of the President, visit here. For information about the Center for Faculty Excellence, visit their website.

Access the panel discussion here.