OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Chickasaw Nation and the Richard Nixon Foundation will partner to co-host a policy conference in Oklahoma City to reflect on the Nixon administration’s transformative federal policy of American Indian self-determination and foster a deeper understanding of how this policy continues to impact American Indian life and tribal sovereignty issues.
The half-day conference, entitled “Tribal Self Determination Revisited: President Nixon’s Lasting Impact on American Indian Life,” is offered free to the public, however registration is required.
Speakers include:
- Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
- David Hill, Principal Chief, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Geoffrey Standing Bear, Principal Chief, Osage Nation
- Hershel Gorham, Lieutenant Governor, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
By adopting a policy of Indian self-determination, the Nixon administration reversed a decades-long series of discriminatory policies that forced assimilation. This was a seismic shift in the relationship between Indian tribes and the U.S. federal government. Legislation such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 aimed to restore tribal sovereignty and support the economic, social, and cultural growth of American Indian communities.
The conference will take place Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at First Americans Museum (FAM), 659 First Americans Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK, 73129. Registration includes a coffee reception, all sessions and lunch. Registration is available here.
