Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research

The Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research is excited to introduce the Sovereign Policy Intensive (SPI), a new initiative designed to strengthen federal systems literacy among elected tribal officials and support informed sovereign decision-making.

SPI is an objective, nonpartisan orientation that explores how the structures, processes, and institutional dynamics of the federal government interact with tribal governance and tribal sovereignty. Grounded in real-world agency actions, legislation, appropriations structures, administrative processes, and legal frameworks, the program helps participants better understand the federal systems that shape tribal governance.

Structured as a tribal governance decision-support program, SPI supports informed leadership by helping participants recognize institutional patterns, interpret federal developments, identify governance considerations, and understand the policy implications federal systems may present for tribal nations.

We invite elected tribal officials to apply for the inaugural SPI cohort. A $450 registration fee will apply upon acceptance into the program. Space is limited to 25. Apply today for consideration.

Learn more at ou.edu/nativenationscenter/spi

Join us this morning for our 4th Annual Breakfast at the NNC—a casual, come-and-go gathering to celebrate the close of the spring semester.

Stop by the Native Nations Event Center (Copeland Hall, 2nd Floor, Room 233) for a light breakfast and take a moment to connect with colleagues, partners, and friends. This event is our way of expressing appreciation for the continued support of our community partners and the OU faculty, staff, students, and researchers who make our work possible.

Today is OU Giving Day!

Your support is critical to building a stronger foundation for Tribal policy research. At the Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research, we are expanding the depth, reach, and relevance of our work across key policy areas impacting Tribal Nations.

We invite you to support this work! Your gift helps advance our research and expand our impact in service to Tribal Nations.

Visit GiveSooner.org and give to the Native Nations Center Support Fund.

OU Giving Day is tomorrow! Your support is critical to building a stronger foundation for Tribal policy research. At the Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research, we are expanding the depth, reach, and relevance of our work across key policy areas impacting Tribal Nations.

This work is shared through platforms like Sovereign Reports, Sovereign Snapshots, and SovereignCast, elevating Tribal priorities and informing decision-making. Explore our research at ou.edu/nativenationscenter/research.

We invite you to support this work on OU Giving Day tomorrow. Your gift helps advance our research and expand our impact in service to Tribal Nations.

Visit GiveSooner.org and give to the Native Nations Center Support Fund.

is 4 days away! Next Tuesday, on April 14th, we invite you to support policy research informed by Tribal priorities

Your support of the Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research Support Fund directly contributes to ethical, community-centered research that responds to the needs and priorities of Tribal Nations.

Visit GiveSooner.org and give to the Native Nations Center Support Fund.

OU Giving Day is next Tuesday!

We invite you to join us on Giving Day to support Tribal policy research grounded in Tribal priorities that strengthen sovereignty and governance.

🔗 Visit: https://www.GiveSooner.org
➡️ Select Native Nations Center Support Fund

Advance our work. Support Tribal policy research. Make next week count.

SOVEREIGN REPORT! The Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research invites you to explore our new Sovereign Report!

This report examines how the Indian Health Service Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program is structured and administered, with a specific focus on how PRC affects access to cancer care for Tribal citizens. It outlines core PRC program elements—eligibility, delivery areas, authorization timelines, funding constraints, and coordination with non-IHS providers—and analyzes how these factors shape cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Drawing on federal audits, tribal testimony, and national and Oklahoma-specific cancer data, the report identifies points along the cancer care pathway where delays and gaps are most likely to occur. It concludes by presenting tribally driven, sovereignty-centered policy options to strengthen PRC processes and improve timely access to cancer care.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
A Senate committee hearing was held on February 4, 2026, for the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025 (S.699), which proposes extending the time for non-IHS care authorization from 72 hours to 15 days. This signals that the federal government and IHS recognizes the importance of tribal health programs and improving PRC access and delivery.

Read the full report here: https://ou.edu/nativenationscenter/research//prc-and-cancer

Happy Holidays from the Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research!

As we reflect on this season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Tribal Nations, partners, researchers, and community members we are honored to work alongside. This time of year reminds us of the importance of community, reflection, and renewal as we close out the year and look ahead to new beginnings.

May this holiday season bring you peace, rest, and moments of connection, and may the New Year be filled with good health, strength, and continued collaboration.

With warm holiday wishes,
The NNCTPR Team,
Tana Fitzpatrick, Director
Evelyn Cox, Research Project Manager
Grace Fox, Tribal Healthcare Policy Analyst
Quanah Yazzie, Office Manager

The Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research is proud to highlight our Tribal Healthcare Policy Analyst, Grace Fox, who recently completed the Native Organizers Alliance (NOA) National Training in Federal Way, Washington. The week-long, community-based training brought together 30 Indigenous professionals to strengthen organizing skills rooted in Indigenous knowledge and relational accountability. Grace engaged fully in the intensive sessions, built meaningful connections across Indian Country, and returned with new insights that directly support the NNCTPR’s mission.

During the training, Grace visited the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in Seattle, where she met with Tribal leaders and key partners in Indian health, including Chief Sena Davis-Yesslith and A.C. Locklear. These conversations opened opportunities for future collaboration and sparked new directions for research aligned with our ongoing work. We are grateful for Grace’s commitment and look forward to integrating the knowledge gained into our projects and partnerships.

Way to go Grace!i

OU Adds First Tribal Healthcare Policy Analyst to Support ICON Grant The University of Oklahoma’s Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research recently named Grace Fox as its first tribal health care policy analyst, expanding the center’s efforts to support tribal decision-making through nonpartisan, research-driven policy analysis.