CATOOSA, Oklahoma (March 12, 2025) – The United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) will hold its Quarterly Meeting on March 20, 2025, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. With a powerhouse agenda featuring an unprecedented number of tribal leaders, the meeting is set to address some of the most pressing issues facing Oklahoma tribes in the coming year.
“This might be the strongest agenda we’ve ever had for a UINO meeting,” said Ben Barnes, UINO Board Chairman and Chief of the Shawnee Tribe. “It certainly includes the most tribal leaders we’ve ever featured, ensuring that our discussions reflect our communities.”
The daylong event, hosted by the Cherokee Nation, will open with remarks from Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, a welcome from Shawnee Chief Barnes, and a roll call by Muscogee Nation Chief and UINO Secretary David Hill. The agenda features high-level discussions on tribal governance, Indian education, health care, energy development, sports betting, and legislative updates.
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols is scheduled as the lunch keynote, and Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is scheduled as a special afternoon speaker. Newly appointed United States Secretary of the Interior and former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has also been invited to address the group.
Key highlights include:
- Tribal Leadership Panel featuring Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. (Cherokee Nation), Chief Ben Barnes (Shawnee Tribe), and Chairman Forrest Tahdooahnippah (Comanche Nation), discussing how to balance priorities in 2025.
- Indian Education Panel exploring the future of K-12 and higher education for Native students, with insights from Julia Wakeford (NIEA Policy Director), Shoney Blake (Pipestem Law), and Cecelia Fire Thunder (President of the Oglala Lakota Nation Education Coalition and President of the Little Wound School Board).
- Native Healthcare Panel addressing the evolving landscape of Indian health care, including perspectives from Nicholas Barton (Southern Plains Tribal Health Board CEO), Deborah Dotson (Delaware Nation President), and Tasha Mousseau (Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Vice President).
- Energy Panel discussing new opportunities for tribal nations in energy development, featuring Randle Carter, Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation, RJ Walker, Assistant Chief of the Osage Nation, and Hershel Gorham, Lt. Governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.
- Gaming Policy Update with Chief Billy Friend (Wyandotte Nation) and Chairman Jake Keyes (Iowa Nation), focusing on the future of sports betting in Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma Legislative Update featuring Sharon Scott (Chairwoman OITA), Amanda Swope (City of Tulsa Director of Tribal Policy and Partnershipa\s), and LaRenda Morgan (Director of Governmental Affairs, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes)
- Warrior Up to Vote Update from UINO Executive Director Margo Gray, highlighting voter engagement efforts in tribal communities.
The UINO Quarterly Meeting is open to all tribal leaders, Native policymakers, and community members who are dedicated to advancing tribal sovereignty, governance, and economic growth.