ADA, Okla. – The annual Tribal Summit at East Central University, hosted by the ECU NASNTI REACHE Program, is scheduled for Nov. 19-20 inside the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center on the ECU campus.
This year’s event theme is “Rooted & Rising: Cultivating Connection, Culture, and College Success” and marks the second consecutive year for the NASNTI REACHE Program’s Tribal Summit.
Special keynote speakers will include:
- Dr. Amanda Tachine of the Navajo Nation
- Lewis Johnson of the Seminole Nation
- Dr. Brandon Postoak of the Chickasaw Nation
- Governor Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation
- Jarod Tate of the Chickasaw Nation
A series of breakout sessions will also take place over the course of the two-day conference with a special focus dedicated to:
- Student retention & graduation - Share proven strategies and innovative programs that keep students enrolled, supported, and crossing the commencement stage.
- Culturally responsive teaching & advising - Showcase practices that honor Indigenous knowledge, boost engagement, and transform classroom and advising experiences.
- Tribal & institutional partnerships - Present models for meaningful collaboration that create pathways, funding, and sustained opportunities for tribal communities.
- Mental health & belonging - Highlight approaches that nurture wellness, belonging, and resilience for students, staff, and families.
- Indigenous research & storytelling - Amplify community-driven research and storytelling that reclaims narratives, centers Indigenous methodologies, and inspires change.
To register for the event, visit www.ecok.edu/tribalsummit.
For more information on the annual Tribal Summit or the NASNTI REACHE Program, contact Director of NASNTI REACHE, Traci Crossland at 580-559-5321 or tcrossland@ecok.edu.
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