Tribal/Municipal Partnership Award

Presented jointly by the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) and the Mayors Council of Oklahoma (MCO), the Tribal/Municipal Partnership Award honors outstanding collaboration between Oklahoma’s municipalities and Tribal Nations. This prestigious award recognizes elected officials, municipal staff, and Tribal leaders who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships that enhance community well-being and governance.

Recognition

Nominees will be invited to attend and be recognized at the OML Conference Awards Banquet during the annual conference.

Eligibility

  • Open to current elected officials, municipal staff, and Tribal leaders.

  • Nominees must be affiliated with an OML member city or town and a Tribal Nation.

  • Recognizes collaborative efforts between municipalities and Tribal governments.

Nomination Process

  • Submit a written nomination form or letter detailing the collaboration, its impact, and the roles of the participants.

  • Include one high-quality photo (optional) for publicity.

  • Nominations accepted year-round; annual consideration deadline is August 4. Nominations received after August 4 automatically roll to the following year if eligibility is maintained.

  • The selection committee will consist of two (2) OML board members, two (2) MCO board members and the previous winner.

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated innovation in Tribal–Municipal collaboration.

  • Measurable outcomes or improvements in community services, infrastructure, or governance.

  • Sustainability and replicability of the initiative.

Timeline

Nominations Accepted: Year-round

Annual Deadline for Consideration: August 4

Committee Review: August 10–20

Notification of Finalists: Late August

Award Presentation: Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the OML Conference Awards Banquet

Questions? Contact Cynthia Madrid at cmadrid@oml.org. 

Submit Nomination

Tribal/Municipal Partnership Award - Judging

Judging Instructions

Purpose: To fairly and objectively evaluate nominations that exemplify effective, respectful, and impactful collaboration between municipalities and Tribal Nations in Oklahoma.

Selection Committee

A joint OML–MCO selection committee will review nominations and determine finalists and winners, with representation from partnering Tribal organizations as appropriate. Members must recuse themselves from any nomination where a direct conflict of interest exists. The committee will consist of two (2) OML board members, two (2) MCO board members and the previous winner.

Judging Process

Step 1: Eligibility Check
Verify the nomination meets eligibility and submission requirements.

Step 2: Individual Review & Scoring
Each judge independently evaluates the nomination using the rubric and provides brief notes.

Step 3: Submission of Scores
Complete one scoring sheet per nomination and submit by the deadline.

Step 4: Committee Deliberation
Scores are compiled and discussed; winners are selected by majority vote.

Scoring Rubric (100 points total)

Partnership Impact — 30 points – Clear, measurable benefits to community well-being, services, infrastructure, or governance.

Collaboration Quality — 20 points – Strength of joint planning, communication, shared leadership, and trust between partners.

Innovation — 20 points – Novel approaches or practices that advance Tribal–Municipal collaboration.

Sustainability & Replicability — 15 points – Long-term viability and potential for other communities to adapt the model.

Equity & Cultural Respect — 10 points – Respect for sovereignty, cultural competency, and inclusive engagement.

Clarity & Documentation — 5 points – Completeness and clarity of the nomination materials.