Stay Tuned for 2022 Keynote Speakers
are nationally renowned experts in Native Sovereignty. Dr. Wilkins will provide broad discussion about the importance of Tribal/State relationships, the potential role that a Sovereignty Accord can play in improving that relationship, and why it matters now more than ever. Kitcki Carroll will speak about the work that USET and the Sovereignty Protection Fund are doing on behalf of 33 Sovereign Nations to enhance the development of Tribal Nations, improve the capabilities of Tribal governments, and improve the quality of life for Indian people.
Dr. David E. Wilkins is the E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies. Prior to moving to Richmond with his wife, Shelly, he served as the McKnight Presidential Professor in American Indian Studies, Adjunct Professor of Political Science, Law, and American Studies at University of Minnesota/Twin Cities Campus for 20 years.
Dr. Wilkins has extensive experience in Native American history with specialization in Sovereignty. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MA in Political Science: American Indian Policy from the University of Arizona, and a BA in Sociology from the University of North Carolina, Pembroke. He has won many awards and grants and has published over 20 books, including American Indian Politics and the American Political System. 4th ed. (co-authored with Heidi Stark) (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2018). He has also written numerous articles for scholarly journals, book reviews, monographs, conference papers and presentations, and has made many other contributions to the body of knowledge of indigenous history in the US.
Dr. Wilkins is a member of the Lumbee Nation of North Carolina.
Kitcki A. Carroll serves as the Executive Director for United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) and the USET Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF), an inter-tribal organization advocating on behalf of 33 federally recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. In his capacity as Executive Director, he works to protect, promote, and advance the inherent sovereign rights and authorities of the organization’s member Tribal Nations and Indian Country overall. Mr. Carroll is a strong justice advocate for all Native American people and actively works to ensure that the United States fulfills its trust and treaty responsibilities and obligations to Indian Country.
Mr. Carroll is a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. He has held various Executive/Senior management positions in the tribal government and not-for-profit sector over the past 20 years and he has served on various workgroups, panels, task forces, boards, and advisory groups.