The US Supreme Court’s landmark decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma (2020) potentially reorders relationships between tribal nations and US States. While limited to criminal jurisdiction in specific areas, the overheated reaction on the part of state officials coupled with the tribes’ cautious yet firm assertions of sovereignty suggests more than what first meets the eye.

In this lecture, Dr. Hosmer considers tribal economics and sovereignty through two standpoints: first, the growth of scholarly interest in economic change inside and around Indigenous nations; and second, the dramatic growth and transformation of tribal economies. Sign up now to learn the specifics of each standpoint and explore the intricate details in this thought-provoking lecture!

Brian Hosmer is a senior scholar in American Indian history and studies. His work pivots around intersections between economic change and tribal nationhood in the 20^th century. His most important publications include: American Indians in the Marketplace, Native Pathways, Tribal Worlds, and American Indians and the Legacy of Harry S. Truman. For several years he directed the Newberry Library’s celebrated D’Arcy McNickle Center for Native and Indigenous Studies.  He currently serves as Head of the Department of History at Oklahoma State University.

Instructor: Dr. Brian Hosmer