Amanda Swope to serve as Tulsa’s Director of Tribal Policy & Partnerships

(TULSA, Okla.) The administration of recently elected Mayor Monroe Nichols is fulfilling his campaign promise to make Tulsa a more inclusive place for native voices.

This week Nichols announced Amanda Swope, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and a descendent of the Osage Nation will serve as city’s Director of Tribal Policy & Partnerships. Swope will also work on bolstering Native American entrepreneurship and economic opportunity. 

Swope currently serves as the representative in the Oklahoma House for the 71st District and the Director for Tribal Juvenile Justice for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. 

In her new role with the City of Tulsa, she will work to strengthen co-governing efforts in the largest U.S. city that sits on tribal land. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the Cherokee Nation, and the Osage Nation have boundaries within Tulsa city limits. 

“Public service runs in my family, and I’m honored to be asked by Mayor Nichols to serve Tulsa in this new way,” Swope said. “Together, we will work to strengthen the relationships we have with our tribal nations, co-govern in a way that works for all of our citizens, and lead with respect for those who came before us and continue to have a profound impact on our way of life.”

Appointing a Director of Tribal Policy & Partnerships was a key campaign promise of Nichols who has emphasized the importance of Tribal sovereignty. 

He said Swopes brings “so much to this new role” at a critical time for Tulsa and its relationship with its local Tribal nations.

“She is a three-term legislator and tribal citizen, has worked within tribal government, and brings both lived experience and technical expertise to the work ahead,” Nichols said. “The policy of the City of Tulsa is standing on the side of tribal sovereignty, and I'm proud that Chief Hill, Chief Hoskin, Chief Standing Bear, and I all agree that Amanda is the best person to lead as the Director of Tribal Policy and Partnerships here at City Hall."

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill expressed support for Swope serving in this position. 

“Congratulations Amanda! We’re excited to hit the ground running and get to work,” said Hill on his official Facebook page. “You are the right person at the right time, and your experience in policy, public service and tribal relations will make a great addition to Mayor Nichols’ administration.”

Swope’s role is significant because while Mvskoke people founded Tulsa and the city was built from the legalized theft of its allottees, Indigenous contributions have largely gone unrecognized by administrations past, Indigenous people excluded from having a seat at the table.

On Friday, Nichols met with Hill, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskins Jr. and Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear. 

“I must say, it’s refreshing to have this type of respect shown to our Nations that the dialogue of collaboration is started from day one,” Hill said following the meeting. “We want this relationship to be a model for how effective co-governance is done. MVTO!”

Swope’s position as Director of Tribal Policy & Partnerships will officially start on January 29.