PURPOSE STATEMENT
The Sovereign Policy Intensive (SPI) provides an objective, nonpartisan orientation designed to strengthen federal systems literacy among elected tribal officials. SPI seeks to clarify how the structures, processes, and institutional dynamics of the federal government interact with tribal governance and tribal sovereignty. SPI focuses on understanding broadly relevant federal systems grounded in real-world agency actions, legislation, appropriations structures, administrative processes, and legal frameworks.
SPI STRUCTURE
SPI is structured as a tribal governance decision-support program. The program is intentionally designed to support informed sovereign decision-making through objective institutional analysis by helping participants recognize institutional patterns, interpret federal actions and developments, identify governance considerations, and better understand the policy implications federal systems may present for tribal nations.
Note: The Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research through SPI does not provide policy advocacy or prescribe policy positions or preferred outcomes.
SPI is:
✔ A federal systems orientation.
✔ Grounded in real agency actions, legislation, and funding.
✔ Focused on broadly relevant governance entry points.
✔ Designed to support sovereign decision-making through greater systems awareness.
SPI is NOT:
✘ A technical certification or skills training.
✘ A leadership development seminar.
✘ A narrow issue-specific workshop.
✘ A comprehensive overview of every tribal policy area.
As a pilot program, participation in this SPI Cohort is intentionally limited. Our goal is to create a focused, collegial, and highly engaged environment for elected tribal officials.
Participants should expect:
Please take time to complete a thoughtful application. Applicants will also be asked to submit a short biography for inclusion in the SPI program booklet should they be selected to participate.
SPI will be held fully in person at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus in Copeland Hall, Room 233, home of the Native Nations Event Center.
Selected participants will receive additional information regarding confirmation of participation, including registration payment ($450) and program logistics, such as:
Review of applications begins June 5th, 2026. Someone will be in contact with you regarding your application submission. Please allow an estimated two to three weeks for this application to be reviewed and a decision to be made.
Copeland Hall Room 225
860 Van Vleet Oval
Norman, OK 73019
nnc@ou.edu | (405) 325-4553
