The Associate Vice President for Tribal Relations serves as the University of Oklahoma’s executive tribal relations officer, providing high-level guidance to ensure that all university engagement with Tribal Nations reflects political sovereignty, institutional alignment, and is rooted in trust. The role centers tribal governments as sovereign partners and advises the President and executive leadership on matters involving tribal engagement across all three campuses. In doing so, the AVP-TR upholds the university’s responsibilities to Tribal Nations by supporting intergovernmental respect, consultation requirements, and long-term partnership strategies.
Please note: The Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations supports tribal engagement specific to the University of Oklahoma and does not offer general consulting or facilitation services for outside entities.
The Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations provides high-level university guidance on matters involving Tribal Nations, with an emphasis on honoring tribal sovereignty and supporting institutional alignment. We welcome outreach from Tribal Nations seeking to engage with the University of Oklahoma. While we do not coordinate all university outreach or tribal-facing activities, we advise senior university leaders and designated units to ensure that tribal engagement is approached with integrity and respect.
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, Osage, and Quapaw 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.
