UCO Student Receives Honorable Mention at 2024 Sovereignty Symposium
Oct. 3, 2024
University of Central Oklahoma student Nina Privett, a sociology-substance abuse studies graduate student from Midwest City, Oklahoma, received an honorable mention in the Chief Justice John B. Doolin writing competition at the 36th annual Sovereignty Symposium.
Privett’s paper, titled “Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women,” focused on a literature review she completed.
“I am Native American, so this topic was something that I was passionate about shedding light on,” Privett said.
“This award is a testament to the resilience of Indigenous women and the urgent need for justice. I’m honored to contribute to raising awareness for the murdered and missing Indigenous women movement.”
Privett presented at the Ninth Annual International Gender and Sexuality Studies Conference at UCO Sept. 28. Her work was also published in “The Sovereignty Symposium XXXVI—A New Beginning.”
In addition to Privett’s success, Hayley Harris, a public health in community engagement graduate student from Oklahoma City, was one of five finalists in the poster contest.
Harris’ poster, “The First Americans Museum Through a Health Equity Lens,” reviewed exhibits and docents’ explanations from the First Americans Museum from a public health perspective to highlight the work the tribes of Oklahoma and the museum have done in weaving narratives together.
“For me, this poster presentation was an exercise in cultural humility, as I do not belong to a tribal nation. To be included in the selected poster presentations is an honor, and I’m immensely grateful for the experience and opportunity to connect with tribal leaders from across the world,” Harris said.
“I also owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. J. Sunshine Cowan, who encouraged me to find a place to present this material. The UCO faculty have poured into me at every opportunity, and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this community.”
Privett and Harris were awarded free entry in next year’s symposium and a $250 cash prize.
Founded in 1988, the Sovereignty Symposium is the leading tribal legal conference in the nation, drawing hundreds from around the world annually. The Oklahoma City University School of Law sponsors the symposium.
For more information, visit www.thesovereigntysymposium.com.
For more information on UCO, visit www.uco.edu.
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Two University of Central Oklahoma students participated in the 36th annual Sovereignty Symposium. Pictured is Nina Privett, a sociology-substance abuse studies graduate student from Midwest City, Oklahoma, holding a copy of “The Sovereignty Symposium XXXVI—A New Beginning,” in which her paper was published. Privett received an honorable mention in the Chief Justice John B. Doolin writing competition at the symposium.
Devan Wielgos