2010 marks the twenty-third anniversary of The Sovereignty Symposium,

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1 The Sovereignty Symposium was established to provide a forum in which ideas concerning common legal issues can be exchanged in a scholarly, non-adversarial environment. The Supreme Court espouses no view on any of the issues, and the positions taken by the participants are not endorsed by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma marks the twenty-third anniversary of The Sovereignty Symposium,

2 In Service of the Law

3 The Sovereignty Symposium began when Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice John Doolin recognized the need for a national forum on Indian law after he returned from the national Chief Justices conference. He enlisted Justice Yvonne Kauger to establish and coordinate The Sovereignty Symposium. For twenty three years, Justice Kauger has led the Symposium to provide such a forum in which ideas concerning common legal issues can be exchanged in a scholarly, non-adversarial environment. With seed money from the Governor and the Legislature, the first Symposium was held at the historic Skirvin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. Although it started off with hand-typed materials in a three-ring binder, the Symposium featured faculty and speakers who were at the forefront of Indian legal issues at the time marks the twenty-third anniversary of The Sovereignty Symposium, bringing with it an exciting mixture of old style charm and new innovative thinking. Over the years, the Symposium has grown to an attendance of nearly 700. The Symposium publishes written materials and sells them to Native Oklahoman, Oilman, and Entrepreneur Boone Pickens Addresses the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Symposium. law schools around the country. The attendees and faculty include a majority of Oklahoma tribal leaders as well as other leaders from across the nation, including lawyers, judges, and professors who are involved in Indian legal issues both at the state and federal levels from all across the United States, Canada, and many other countries. Opening Ceremony and Presentation of Tribal Flags with Absentee-Shawnee Governor Ken Blanchard and his Grandchildren. Notable speakers have donated their time to share stories, experiences, and concerns relating to Native American issues. While all of our speakers are notable in their fields, some of our most notable speakers were the Honorable Sandra Day O Connor (twice), Attorney General Janet Reno, the Honorable 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert Henry, Chickasaw Astronaut John Herrington, Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills, the World War II Indian Code Talkers, Cherokee Nation United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O Connor Addresses the 2007 Symposium.

4 United States Attorney General Janet Reno and Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger at the 1994 Symposium. Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, United States Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow, Assistant Secretaries of Indian Affairs Neal McCaleb, Kevin Gover, and Ada Deer, founding Director of the Smithsonian s National Museum of the American Indian Rick West, Pulitzer Prize winning author N. Scott Momaday, Congressman Steve Largent, Chairmen of the National Indian Gaming Commission Phil Hogen and Montie Deer, and most recently, Oilman and Entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens. Another highlight of the Symposium is the opening ceremony, where all of the tribal leaders in Oklahoma march in with other dignitaries and present their tribal flags. This ceremony leaves the participants in awe. No other venue boasts such diversity in tribal leadership gathered in one location. In 2007, the Symposium returned to the historic Skirvin Hotel, the site of the first Sovereignty Symposium. The newly remodeled Skirvin retains all of its original charm and grace while featuring the latest technologies to assist the expert panels and featured speakers. This combination of old and new is also captured in the redesigned Sovereignty Symposium website found at The animated Introduction and the Retrospect page feature all of the allure and excitement of past and present Sovereignty Symposia. The new look and feel of the Scholarships and Sponsors pages provide even easier access to these services. Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Rudolph Hargrave listens as Boone Pickens Discusses the Pickens Plan. The Kiowa Black Leggings, a Traditional Warrior Society, with Chief Judge of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, Robert Henry in Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and Devan Leitka, Grandson of Absentee- Shawnee Governor Ken Blanchard, at the Opening Ceremony.

5 All of the information you may need about The Sovereignty Symposium can be found on the Home, Agenda, Parking, and Travel pages. Participants can now register online by following simple instructions on the Registration page. In the unlikely event that you cannot find what you are looking for on The Sovereignty Symposium website, please feel free to contact us using information from the Contact page or just call us at We will be glad to help in any way we can. Please take a few minutes to come and browse or stay awhile to visit and reminisce. Whatever you choose, enjoy the ambiance of The Sovereignty Symposium. Kay Bills, United States Department of Commerce, with Chickasaw Astronaut, Commander John Herrington. The Oklahoma Supreme Court espouses no view on any of the issues, and the positions taken by the participants are not endorsed by the Supreme Court. Co-Sponsors of The Sovereignty Symposium include The Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, The Oklahoma Arts Council, The Indian Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma City University School of Law, The University of Tulsa College of Law, and The University of Oklahoma College of Law. Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills with Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Tom Colbert in Chief Judge of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, Robert Henry, was the Featured Speaker in Drummer Jim Anquoe of the Gray Horse Singers. Participants and Speakers mingle with leaders of 39 Sovereign Nations under one roof and discuss not only law, but also culture and art. For nearly 20 years, Chickasaw artist, Outstanding Oklahoman, and Honored Oklahoma Capital Muralist, Mike Larsen has designed the posters and t-shirts for the Symposium. The Sovereignty Symposium Logo was designed and donated by Seminole-Shawnee artist Benjamin Harjo, Jr.

6 Highlights of the 09 Symposium