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Safety Information

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Oklahoma City (OK) for our “Roots and Origins” conference on June 26-28, 2025. Some of you have reached out with concerns about traveling to the United States under the current political climate.

 

We, as NAISA, are actively prioritizing the safety of our members and those traveling to Oklahoma, USA. 

 

We’ve heard from members who have real and legitimate concerns for their safety in the United States; the rhetoric and actions concerning undocumented immigrants, trans people, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons in the United States are disturbing and we are worried about it too. You might be concerned about your experience at the airport when you arrive in the U.S., or during your stay in Oklahoma City. The threats are real, but there are real things that Native American and Indigenous Peoples are doing in Oklahoma to protect and prepare their communities. If you want to come, please know that we are committed to making the conference supportive and affirming as a space for everyone as it can possibly be under the circumstances. 

 

Community is our stronghold. Native Nations in Oklahoma navigate and endure a challenging world of threats to DEI initiatives, 2SLGBTQ+ relatives, and encroachment on tribal sovereignty, all while maintaining a safe environment for their people. Our Local Hosts continue to emphasize that this is the moment we are needed the most – your travel to Oklahoma is the most important way to show your solidarity and support for the Native tribes and Native 2SLGBTQ+ people who reside there and continue their struggles for their sovereignty and freedom. NAISA is more than a conference; we also exist to support Indigenous nations on the ground everywhere we go. Attending the meeting will be a phenomenal cultural experience and opportunity to learn about the state's 39 Native Nations, and the particularly vibrant and diverse community life in and around Oklahoma City.

 

This is the first of several updates we plan to provide with resources concerning these issues and proactive steps that NAISA Council and Local Host Committee are taking, such as:

 

  • We are currently seeking advice from the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma and their active Indigenous caucus concerning the rights and safety of NAISA members; Oklahoma hosts many international advocacy organizations, such as CAIR, the NAACP, and more;

  • We invite members to Know Your Rights (ACLU) and are working with the conference venues (Omni Hotel and First Americans Museum) to protect the rights of attendees, including freedom from harassment for any reason;

  • We are building a relationship with Oklahoma City's mayor, David Holt, who is an Osage tribal citizen, to make the city an even more welcoming environment for Indigenous people from around the world; Oklahoma City's government is very engaged with the Native community in Oklahoma and have been reliable partners around Native issues;

  • We are working with Matriarch of Oklahoma to create an off-site Bead N Tea in the Community, to eat, craft, create, support, and bear witness to the activism and Indigenous-led collaboration that explores safety for undocumented Indigenous people and 2SLGBTQ+ relatives through important organizations in Oklahoma City, such as Dream Action Oklahoma, Matriarch, and Cousins, among many others;

  • Our Local Host Committee has relationships with local advocacy and support organizations for Native members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and we are making plans to involve them at the conference; Oklahoma City receives a score of 75 out of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign;

  • We are prepared to assist with letters you may need for your visa application; please see the U.S. State Department website for further information about this process and reach out to contact.naisa@gmail.com if you require a letter in addition to the notification you received from All-Academic.

 

We acknowledge that the current climate is challenging, but we are steadfast in our belief that Indigenous scholars and allies must continue to gather, share knowledge, support each other, and build community in spaces where our actual presence matters. NAISA remains committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming, and empowering environment for all who attend. 

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