Agenda set to address critical issues, including a new Presidential administration, new leadership in the Oklahoma legislature and other topics pressing to Indian Country

STROUD, Oklahoma — The United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) will hold its annual meeting on November 18-19, hosted by the Sac and Fox Nation at the Truman Carter Transportation Building in Stroud, Oklahoma.

Tribal leaders, policy experts, and advocates from across the region will gather to discuss pressing issues impacting Native communities, including gaming, sacred sites protection, economic development, health care, the missing and murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis, and a National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) call to action.

A major focus of the annual meeting will be preparing for a second Trump Administration and new Congress. As Oklahoma Tribes prepare to advance their federal agendas, UINO will discuss strategies for educating new federal appointees and elected officials on key policy positions. The group will also look ahead to a new Oklahoma legislature and discuss what to expect at the state level.

The two-day event begins with a welcome from Sac and Fox Nation Principal Chief Randle Carter, UINO Chairman and Chief of the Shawnee Nation Ben Barnes and reports from UINO Treasurer Bruce Pratt and Executive Director Margo Gray. The first day of panel discussions dives into the most pressing issues facing Oklahoma Tribes and an awards luncheon. 

Honorees at the annual meeting luncheon are:

  • National Tribal Leader of the Year – Deborah Parker (Tulalip Nation), CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS)
  • Oklahoma Tribal Leader of the Year – George Thompson (Muscogee Nation), Hickory Ground Mekko
  • Outstanding UINO Member – Jacque Hensley (Kaw Nation), Director for the Office of American Indians in Medicine and Science, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

“We are committed to advancing the interests of Oklahoma’s Tribal Nations at this annual meeting, which may be our most important to date,” said Chief Ben Barnes, Chairman of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma and Chief of the Shawnee Tribe. “We’ve invited leaders from Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized Tribes, Native advocacy groups and policy experts to craft a uniform set of priorities for the future. With a new administration in the White House and new leaders in both chambers of the Oklahoma legislature, there is much to discuss and a real need for inter-tribal collaboration and goal-setting.” 

UINO will also hold elections for its top leadership. There will be executive committee elections for Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

“Protecting Tribal sovereignty and Tribal interests is our top priority, so it’s important to gather regularly to ensure we are all on the same page, presenting a united front,” said UINO Executive Director Margo Gray. “We encourage anyone passionate about advancing Indian Country’s interests to attend and join us in our advocacy.” 

Agenda Highlights*:

November 18, 2024

8 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Breakfast and Registration

9 a.m. – Opening Prayer, Host Tribe and UINO leadership welcome

9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m

  • UINO Leadership elections
  • Panels on preparing for a new White House administration, Indian gaming issues, and strengthening financial management resources by the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA). 

Noon – UINO Awards Luncheon

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Panel discussions on protecting sacred sites, Indian Boarding Schools, and a Tribal leaders’ executive session on Tribal taxation and compacts.

November 19, 2024

9 a.m. – Opening Remarks by U.S. Representative Tom Cole (invited)

9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

  • Panels on the MMIP crisis and Native healthcare initiatives, as well as an NCAI update 

Noon – Lunch provided by UINO

1 p.m. – Presentation by Ray Poland, Oklahoma Municipal League Tribal Liason:

  • Post-election breakdown and discussion of new state representatives, new state senators, and new leadership in both the Oklahoma House and Senate.
  • How Oklahoma Tribes and the Oklahoma Municipal League will continue collaborating on infrastructure projects in Oklahoma’s cities and towns. 

The two-day conference will be held at the Sac and Fox Nation’s Truman Carter Transportation Building at 219 S. 8th Street, Stroud, OK 74079. For more information or to register, contact UINO Executive Director Margo Gray at margo@uinoklahoma.com

*Agenda subject to change.