Sovereign Policy Intensive (SPI) 2026

The Sovereign Policy Intensive (SPI) is an objective, nonpartisan program designed by the Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research at the University of Oklahoma to strengthen federal systems literacy among elected tribal officials. It clarifies how the structures, processes, and institutional dynamics of the federal government interact with Tribal governance and Tribal sovereignty. The one-day program covers foundational frameworks including sovereign authority, jurisdiction, the federal budget process, and legislative operations, alongside core federal and social systems such as healthcare, land & natural resources, energy, housing, public safety, education, and agriculture. SPI is structured as a tribal governance decision-support program, offering high-level legal and policy briefings and networking opportunities to support informed sovereign decision-making without advocating for specific policy outcomes.