Competitions

Proposals must be submitted by January 31, 2026.

The Sovereignty Symposium invites proposals for panel presentations at its 38th annual gathering, to be held at the new OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City. This prestigious symposium provides a scholarly setting for the consideration of legal and policy issues facing tribal communities, as well as a platform for the celebration of tribal sovereignty in all its forms – legal, cultural and economic.

PRESENTATION FORMAT

• Panel sessions are 1.5 hours in length
• Proposals may be submitted for individual presentations or complete panels
• Interactive and innovative session formats are welcome

SUGGESTED TOPICS

• Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and intergovernmental relations
• Jurisdictional challenges in Indian Country
• Economic development, taxation, and infrastructure in tribal communities
• Environmental and natural resource law in Indian Country
• Tribal courts, dispute resolution, and access to justice
• Vulnerable populations, education, and healthcare policy
• Cultural preservation, language revitalization, and intellectual property
• Emerging issues: technology, climate change, and tribal futures
• Ethics and professional responsibility in Indian law practice

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please submit your proposal including:

1. Proposed session title
2. Abstract (300 words maximum)
3. Names and biographical information of all presenters
4. Format of presentation
5. Audio/visual requirements
6. Contact information for all participants

DEADLINE
Proposals must be submitted by January 31, 2026.

Please submit proposals using the form below.

For questions or additional information, please contact: sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu

Hargrave Prize for Writings by Past or Present Sovereignty Symposium Faculty

Awards will be given in the amounts of $1,500, $1,000 and $750.00 for the best three original and previously unpublished papers. The winners will be published in the 2026 Symposium book.

Requirements

• The entries in the writing competitions must not be more than fifty (50) single-spaced pages in length.
• The paper used shall be 8-1/2” x 11” in size.
• The title of the paper, the name of the author and a current, email, mailing address, and telephone number must be placed on the cover page.
• Only the title of the paper should appear at the top of the first page of the text. The author’s name should appear on the cover page only.
• Papers must be submitted in Word or Word Perfect format.
• E-mail the formatted version to sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu.
• Use a 12-point font in Times New Roman format. The left and right margins must be 2”; the top and bottom margins must be 1.5”.

If you have any questions, please email sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu or call Lori Harless at (405) 208-5017.

Submit for the Hargrave Prize here.

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN MARCH 27, 2026.

Doolin Prize for Students

This competition is open to any student enrolled in college, at any level. First, second, and third prizes in the amounts of $1,000, $750 and $500.00 will be awarded. The winning entry will be published in the 2026 Symposium book. Second and third place entries will be published if space permits.

Requirements

• The entries in the writing competitions must not be more than fifty (50) single-spaced pages in length.
• The paper used shall be 8-1/2” x 11” in size.
• The title of the paper, the name of the author and a current, email, mailing address, and telephone number must be placed on the cover page.
• Only the title of the paper should appear at the top of the first page of the text. The author’s name should appear on the cover page only.
• Papers must be submitted in Word or Word Perfect format.
• E-mail the formatted version to sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu.
• Use a 12-point font in Times New Roman format. The left and right margins must be 2”; the top and bottom margins must be 1.5”.

If you have any questions, please email sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu or call Lori Harless at (405) 208-5017.

Submit for the Doolin Prize here.

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN MARCH 27, 2026.

Hager Prize

The Hager Prize of $1,000 will be awarded for the best writing, either student or Symposium faculty, on the ICWA or any legal issue concerning Native American children. The winning entry will also be published in the 2026 Symposium book. 

Requirements

• The entries in the writing competitions must not be more than fifty (50) single-spaced pages in length.
• The paper used shall be 8-1/2” x 11” in size.
• The title of the paper, the name of the author and a current, email, mailing address, and telephone number must be placed on the cover page.
• Only the title of the paper should appear at the top of the first page of the text. The author’s name should appear on the cover page only.
• Papers must be submitted in Word or Word Perfect format.
• E-mail the formatted version to sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu.
• Use a 12-point font in Times New Roman format. The left and right margins must be 2”; the top and bottom margins must be 1.5”.

Submit for the Hager Prize here.

If you have any questions, please email sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu or call Lori Harless at (405) 208-5017.

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN MARCH 27, 2026.

ALL POSTERS MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN MARCH 27, 2026.

Please click the link below to fill out the form and submit your abstract (250-300 words) in a PDF attachment.

This competition is for undergraduate and graduate college students.

If you have any questions, please email sovereignty.symposium@okcu.edu or call Lori Harless at (405) 208-5017.

Submit for the Student Poster Competition here.