The Department of Native American Studies—one of the leading such programs in the nation—attracts and serves students of diverse backgrounds and academic interests who are committed to using distinctly Native American perspectives to place the sovereignty of Native nations and the cultures of Native peoples at the center of academic study.
The Native American Studies curriculum is, at the same time, focused and flexible. We currently support intensive study in four interrelated areas of emphasis that are interdisciplinary in nature - History & Culture, Native Languages, Indigenous Community Planning, and Tribal Governance & Leadership. Students work closely with faculty to combine areas of emphasis according to their own scholarly and professional goals.
NAS offers three degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as two graduate certificate programs.
The first degree in Native American Studies at the University of Oklahoma was awarded in 1996. Since then, nearly 400 students have earned bachelor's degrees, with either a major or minor in NAS, and master's degrees. NAS Alumni have distinguished themselves in a wide range of careers some of which include: tribal government, law, health policy, filmmaking and media, historic preservation, language revitalization, and education.
"Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations.
Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its Indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgement is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community."
The above land acknowledgement statement was created by the OU Land Acknowledgement Working Group in August of 2020. This statement may be borrowed. For resources on creating your own LAS, see the guide below provided by the Native Governance Center.
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from across the University of Oklahoma has received a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to transform how communities anticipate and mitigate risks from treefall during extreme weather events.
The Native American Studies Department at the University of Oklahoma announced the retirement of its longtime Cherokee language instructor Christine Armer.
