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NEWS
• April 26-May 2, 2022
New role to bolster tribal ties
Tana Fitzpatrick to head OU, Native American relations TAYLOR JONES taylor.p.jones-1@ou.edu
A former Norman resident returns home after a law career to take on the position of OU associate vice president of tribal relations, elevating the importance of the university’s relationship with tribal communities. A replacement to the former tribal liaison position in the department of diversity, equity and inclusion, Tana Fitzpatrick’s role as the associate vice president of tribal relations was raised to the highest level within the university that, in turn, elevates the relationships the university forms with surrounding tribal nations. Welcoming Fitzpatrick into this position is an important step for the university, Brian Burkhart, interim director of the Native Nations Center and associate professor of philosophy, said. Not only does it positively influence relations that can be formed between the university and surrounding tribal nations, but it also creates a “more dynamic interaction” between the university and tribal nations than the former tribal liaison position could offer, he said. “There are things that are changing, you know, tribes are kind of growing more economically and politically powerful within the state,”
Burkhart said. “Being able to recognize where they are and being able to intersect with them is really important for being successful.” Burkhart said he hopes this position will positively influence individuals across the university and state. He said that although there is still a lot of work to be done, this small step is rejuvenating for him as he continues to work with the university. “It was this sort of thing, sort of seeing the possibilities of the vision that was being put together, and what tribes are doing, what the university is doing — that has me excited enough to think (that) I could stay in this,” Burkhart said. “I could keep doing this for a while because this is really exciting. Personally, I really feel it, you know, directly. And I know that students and faculty and staff across the university do feel that (way) too.” Fitzpatrick said although her position is new, she hopes to utilize it to form relationships, make connections and ultimately bring ideas for networking and research between the university and tribal nations. Heather Shotton, associate professor, chair in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and director of Indigenous Education Initiatives for the OU College of Education, said the elevation of the position honors the sovereign status of tribal nations in the state. “ I t ’s i m p o r t a n t t o
understand that tribal nations are sovereign nations,” Shotton said. “We have to honor and respect that unique poTANA sition and so FITZPATRICK just the same FITZPAT as we would with, say, the governor of the state or other elected officials and how we engage with and respect and honor the positions that they hold.” Shotton also said the position speaks to how the community can better interact with neighboring tribes. Fitzpatrick’s new position exemplifies the major impact that tribes in Oklahoma have on the state in terms of economics and partnerships in health and research developments. A study produced by Kyle Dean, director of the Center for Native American and Urban Studies at Oklahoma City University, found that Oklahoma tribes employed 54,201 Oklahoma workers in 2019, paying out wages and benefits of $2.5 billion to Oklahomans. “It’s important for us to have good relationships with the state as a state institution (and) tribal nations as sovereign nations,” Shotton said. “We have 39 tribal nations within the state. Having good strong relationships with tribal nations is equally
important because those represent 39 tribal governments. It’s important because of the indigenous student population on our campus. It’s important because these are our neighbors.” When it came to choosing a person to form these important relationships, Shotton, who also chaired the search committee for the position, said the most important factors included finding someone who understood the issues of sovereignty, who could develop a strong vision for how the university might engage in the work that it’s doing and who could enhance relationships with tribes and ultimately serve indigenous communities. “I think Tana brought all of that with her vast experience both as working with various tribes, working with the National Indian Gaming Association, working with the Library of Congress and also her ties and roots in Oklahoma, I think provided her with a particular background and knowledge of the nuances of tribal relationships and in the States,” Shotton said. Fitzpatrick joined OU March 21 from the Library of Congress, where she served as a specialist in natural resources policy for the Congressional Research Service, according to an OU News release. Norman being her hometown, Fitzpatrick is excited to work close to family and on the campus she grew up on.
“Me and my sister would just, especially during summer breaks, we were just always running around in the library a lot before (it got) fancy now, but I remember it was very bare over there. So in a lot of ways, this is a homecoming for me, not just to Norman, but to the university itself,” Fitzpatrick said. Previously, Fitzpatrick has also worked in a variety of positions in the executive branch of the U.S. government, including senior counselor to the assistant secretary of Indian affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, program examiner for the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President and staff attorney for the National Indian Gaming Commission. She has also worked as a prosecutor and in-house counsel for tribal governments. Coming back to Norman is not only a homecoming for Fitzpatrick, it is also an opportunity to do something she has a passion for. “Whenever I saw the position description, I (could) just feel it in my heart,” Fitzpatrick said. “I was like, ‘This just totally speaks to me. This is something that I would love to do, and (it) definitely helps that I have the experience that I have, working directly with tribes.’” As a member of the Crow Tribe of Montana and a Sioux, Ponca and Chickasaw descendent herself, Fitzpatrick said the creation of this position
is incredibly personal to her, especially given the impact tribes have on the state. “I just think it’s really important to just recognize that tribes are here,” Fitzpatrick said. “They’ve always been here. And now they’re really a great part of what’s happening in the state of Oklahoma. So I think that’s important, and any way in which the university can engage with tribes on mutually beneficial subjects, let’s do it. Let’s work together.” Fitzpatrick said she is especially looking forward to the opportunities for research and connections between the tribal nations and OU faculty, students and staff. Although new to the position, Fitzpatrick said she has already been approached by individuals with ideas of how to better engage with tribes. “I am so encouraged by that, and it makes me so happy because I can’t wait to just, (though) I’ve already started in the role … know how to make those connections,” Fitzpatrick said. “I (am) very much a helper. I love to help people and that just really gets me going. So that’s the most exciting thing to me right now (and) the fact that the University of Oklahoma is elevating tribal relations, really placing an emphasis on it by creating this position, I think is just what this state needs.”
OU sets details for graduation ceremonies University releases convocation, graduation dates KAYLIN CARPENTER kaylin.n.carpenter-1@ ou.edu
Graduates will be individually recognized, photographed and given their degree covers by their dean during their college’s convocation ceremony. Each college has an assigned location, time, and some ceremonies require tickets and specific arrival times. All ceremonies will be livestreamed. The College of Allied Health ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m., May 13 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact the Office of Academic and Student Services at 405-271-6588 or alliedhealth-info@ouhsc.edu. The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., May 14 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Sr. Administrative Support Specialist Patrice Greer at 405325-1320 or patricegreer@ ou.edu. Th e D o dg e Fa m i ly College of Arts and Sciences - Humanities and Natural Sciences ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 4 p.m. at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Senior Academic Advisor Kristi Brooks at 405325-4303 or cas@ou.edu. The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Professional Programs and Social Sciences ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., May 14. For more information, contact Senior Academic Advisor Kristi Brooks at 405325-4303 or cas@ou.edu. The College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Events Coordinator Claire Chastain at 405-325-1819 or cchastain@ ou.edu. The Michael F. Price College of Business ceremony is
scheduled for 8 a.m., May 14 at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Events Coordinator Christine Frank at 405-325-2500 or cfrank@ou.edu. The College of Dentistry – Doctor of Dental Surgery ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 15 at 1 p.m. at the OCCC Visual Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact Events and Program Specialist Jaden Osborn at 405-271-2870 or jaden-osborn@ouhsc.edu. The College of Dentistry – Dental Hygiene ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 15 at 4 p.m. at the OCCC Visual Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact Events and Program Specialist Jaden Osborn at 405-271-2870 or jaden-osborn@ouhsc.edu. The Mewbourne College ofEarth and Energy ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Lead Academic Advisor Annette Moran at 405-325-4005 or brynto18@ ou.edu. The Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education ceremony is scheduled for 8 a.m., May 14 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. Fo r m o re i n f o r mat i o n , contact Sr. Marketing and Communications Specialist Melanie Schneider at 405325-4844 or mschneider@ ou.edu. The Gallogly College of Engineering ceremony is scheduled for noon, Saturday, May 14 at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Student Program Coordinator Jeff Biggerstaff at 405-325-4724 or jglidus@ ou.edu. The Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m., May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Administrative Coordinator Jane Custar at 405-325-7374 or janecustar@ ou.edu. The Health Sciences Center Graduate College ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., May 14 and is virtual only. For more information, contact Assistant to the Dean Catina Jordan at
405-271-2085 or catina-jordan@ouhsc.edu. The David L. Boren College of International Studies ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m., May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Lead Academic Advisor Tracy Holloway at 405-325-1429 or tracyholloway@ou.edu. T h e G a y l o rd C o l l e g e of Journalism and Mass Communication ceremony is scheduled for noon, May 14 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Lead Academic Advisor Kathy Sawyer at 405-325-5226 or ksawyer@ou.edu. The College of Law – Juris Doctorate ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., May 15 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Event and Conference Coordinator Brajhelle Covington at 405-325-2011 or bcovington@ou.edu. The College of Law – Master of Legal Studies ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 15 at 6 p.m. at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Event and Conference Coordinator Brajhelle Covington at 405-325-2011 or bcovington@ou.edu. The College of Medicine ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m., May 21 at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Director of Student Services Logan Lockhart at 405-271-2316 or logan-lockhart@ouhsc.edu. The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., May 15 at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Director of Student Programs Jessica Thompson at 405-2712402, ext. 49210, or Jessicathompson@ouhsc.edu. The College of Professional and Continuing Studies ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m., May 14 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Events Coordinator Missy Mitchell at 405-325-2823 or mjmitchell@ou.edu. The College of Pharmacy ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m., May 21 at the Paul F.
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Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Student Systems Coordinator Trisha Wilhelm at 405-271-6598 or patricia-wilhelm@ouhsc.edu. The Hudson College of Public Health ceremony is
scheduled for 10 a.m., May 14 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. For more information, contact Assistant Dean for Student Services Joseph Geresi at joseph-geresi@ouhsc.edu. or
joseph-geresi@ouhsc.edu. For more information, please visit https://www. ou.edu/commencement or email commencement@ ou.edu.