Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)
STILLWATER, Okla.- Oklahoma State University will launch the Center for Sovereign Nations at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, on the Life Sciences East Lawn in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The new center will be housed in 104 Life Sciences East on the OSU campus where it will be co-located with OSU’s Center for American Indian Studies.
The new center is a result of OSU President Burns Hargis’ vision for focused service to sovereign tribal nations in Oklahoma. The center was made possible through the joint investment of the Chickasaw Nation and OSU, with the ongoing invitation for other tribal nations to join as financial partners.
Hosts and honorees for the event are OSU President V. Burns Hargis, OSU Provost Gary Sandefur, Associate Provost Pamela Fry, Center for Sovereign Nations director Elizabeth Payne, Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton, Chickasaw Nation Ambassador At-Large Neal McCaleb and the Center for American Indian Studies director John Chaney.
The center has a threefold mission with sovereignty, students and partnerships at the core of its priorities.
It will promote understanding, respect and exercise of tribal sovereignty while also promoting American Indian student success and graduation. The center hopes to increase the number and quality of partnerships between OSU and the 39 federally recognized tribal nations in Oklahoma.
Center strategy is guided by partner input. Decisions will be made collaboratively with sovereign tribal nations, OSU faculty, staff and OSU alumni. These partnerships will help students succeed and make connections for the future.
All Native American students will be served in the new Center for Sovereign Nations. Renovations of the new center are expected to be complete by Oct. 1. For more information please go online at http://sovnationcenter.okstate.edu or email sovnationcenter@okstate.edu.
A stickball demonstration and lunch will be provided for those in attendance.
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