ABOUT THE COMMISSION

Board of Commissioners
EX Officio Members
Advisory Committee
Staff

The OKLAHOMA INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION (OIAC) was created in May 1967 during the 31st Session of the Oklahoma Legislature. The Commission's mission is set by statute to serve as the liaison between the Indian people of the state, Indian leaders of the state, tribal governments, private sector entities, various federal and state agencies, and the executive and legislative branches of the Oklahoma State government.

The Commission is made up of 20 members: Nine (9) Commissioners appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate (four of the appointed members are from tribes represented by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Eastern Regional Office and four are from tribes represented by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Plains Regional Office) and one member serves at-large; eleven non-voting, ex officio members. The eleven non-voting, ex officio members represent various officials and agencies within the Oklahoma State government. In addition, an Advisory Committee (maximum 15 members) serves to provide expertise that may not be represented by other board members.

The four primary goals of the OKLAHOMA INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION are:

Goal I: Create State and Federal Legislation

The OIAC will act as the catalyst and advocate for the creation of state and Federal legislation that will have a positive impact on the Commission, tribal, and state governments, and will facilitate the government-to-government relationships between the Oklahoma tribes and the State of Oklahoma.

Goal II: Create an Advisory Committee

The OIAC will facilitate the creation of an Advisory Committee, with a maximum of 15 members, to assist the Commission in the development and implementation of specific activities; assist in the identification of long-range goals; assist in the recommendation of Commission policies; and expand the educational process and network.

Goal III: Develop and Implement Research Projects and Reports

The OIAC will develop and implement research projects, generate reports, and create an informational clearinghouse of statistical and other resource information to be utilized by tribes, the state, and other organizations or individuals.

Goal IV: Develop Cooperative Programs Between Tribes and State, Federal, Local, Private Entities, Health Organizations, Educational Agencies, Tourism, and Economic Development Entities

The OIAC will advocate for cooperative programs and projects that will promote the understanding of a government-to-government relationship between the tribal governments and the State of Oklahoma.

In addition to activities generated by the above-stated goals, such as legislation development and tracking, state-tribal economic development, meeting with all tribal leaders at least quarterly, and facilitating a positive relationship between the State and tribes, the OKLAHOMA INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION performs a myriad of functions including: responding to thousands of telephone and mail inquiries from the general public; serving as an information conduit between tribes/tribal government and local, state, and Federal governments and agencies; and sponsoring and co-sponsoring various forums that disseminate information designed to improve the quality of life for American Indian people in the State of Oklahoma and the United States.