OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) will convene its quarterly meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City. The agenda will feature a lineup of tribal leaders, policy and legal experts, and community advocates to discuss critical issues facing tribal nations in Oklahoma.
The event will begin with breakfast and registration at 8:00am, followed by opening remarks from UINO Chairperson Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe, roll call from UINO Secretary Chief David Hill of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and a financial report from UINO Treasurer Bruce Pratt.
“This gathering is about uniting our priorities and moving forward with a shared vision of tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and economic strength,” said Chief Barnes. “Our agenda reflects the leadership, collaboration, and resilience that define Indian Country in 2025.”
The meeting spotlights pressing challenges and opportunities across Indian Country, featuring panel discussions on tribal governance, healthcare, energy development on tribal lands, cybersecurity, and intergovernmental relations.
The morning agenda will include high-level panel discussions covering key topics such as tribal leadership and governance, Native healthcare reform and reorganization, energy development and emergency permitting on tribal lands, state–tribal intergovernmental relations, and cybersecurity threats and protections for tribal enterprises. Confirmed tribal leaders participating in the discussions include Chief David Hill of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Chairwoman Jennifer Heminokeky of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe; Chairwoman Kim Jenkins of the Kaw Nation; Chief Lewis Johnson of the Seminole Nation; Governor Reggie Wassana and Lt. Governor Hershel Gorham of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes; and Secretary/Treasurer Linda Valliere-Siegmann of the Quapaw Nation.
Matthew Morgan, Chickasaw Nation Special Envoy and Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), will deliver the keynote address. Morgan will present findings from the recently released 2025 Oklahoma Tribal Impact Study, which revealed a record-breaking $23.4 billion annual economic impact by Oklahoma’s tribal nations, a nearly $5 billion increase over the past five years.
Other speakers include leaders and experts in healthcare, energy, law, taxation, gaming, economic development and other critical areas.
“This is a critical time for Indian Country to unite and shape our future,” said Margo Gray, Executive Director of UINO. “From defending sovereignty to securing economic opportunities, we are building coalitions and investing in the next seven generations of Native leaders. This meeting is about solutions, strategy, and solidarity.”
Action items on the agenda include consideration of UINO joining the Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty and a letter of support for Haskell Indian Nations University. For the first time, UINO will also host a limited number of vendor booths. Spaces are available for $100 and open to businesses and organizations interested in sharing or selling their work. Membership in UINO is open to all federally recognized Oklahoma tribal nations, corporate and non-profit organizations, and individuals of legal voting age who are enrolled citizens of Oklahoma-based tribal nations.
