OKLAHOMA CITY – A historic assembly of five Native American U.S. District Court judges will headline the Sovereignty Symposium, convening in Oklahoma City in June for a groundbreaking examination of ethical leadership and the protection of sovereignty through the federal bench.
The Oklahoma City University School of Law is hosting the 38th annual symposium under the theme “250 Years Later: Sovereignty, Survival, and Self-Determination” on June 15 and 16 at the OKANA Resort.
This year’s event will be highlighted by a keynote panel discussion titled “Ethical Leadership: Honoring Sovereignty from the Bench.” The session will bring together a distinguished group of Native American federal judges to discuss the intersection of judicial ethics, leadership and tribal sovereignty.
“The Sovereignty Symposium was founded to bridge the gaps between tribal, state and federal legal systems, and this year’s keynote embodies that mission perfectly,” said Emily Eleftherakis, executive director of OCU’s Tribal Sovereignty Institute. “By exploring ethical leadership through the lens of these distinguished jurists, we are offering attendees a rare glimpse into how sovereignty is not just debated but also honored and upheld from the bench.”
The panelists will include:
- Sara E. Hill (Cherokee), U.S. District Court judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma
- Ada Brown (Choctaw), U.S. District Court judge for the Northern District of Texas
- Lauren King (Muscogee (Creek)), U.S. District Court judge for the Western District of Washington
- Diane J. Humetewa (Hopi), U.S. District Court judge for the District of Arizona
- Sunshine S. Sykes (Navajo), U.S. District Court judge for the Central District of California
Founded in 1988 by the Oklahoma Supreme Court and hosted by OCU Law since 2023, the Sovereignty Symposium serves as a scholarly, non-adversarial setting for the consideration of legal and policy issues facing tribal communities. It acts as a vital platform for the celebration of tribal sovereignty in all its forms — legal, artistic, cultural and economic.
In addition to the keynote panel, the two-day event will feature discussions between tribal leaders, state officials, legal experts and policymakers. Topics will cover the landscape of Indian Country, including economic development, health care, cultural preservation, environmental policy, self-determination and jurisdictional challenges.
The symposium is also accepting proposals for panel presentations through Jan. 31 and submissions to its academic competitions through March 27. Guidelines, submission forms and event details are available online at thesovereigntysymposium.com.
