Working as a Sovereign Entity with Federal, State, and County Agencies and Suppliers

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

8:50 AM - 9:30 AM ET

Location: Lafayette 2 (Mezzanine Level)

Moderator(s)

Tzeitel Buchanan (she/her/hers)

Director, Public Sector Program and Community Partnerships
Lumen
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, United States

Panelist(s)

David B. Fein (he/him/his)

Senior PMO Manager
Chumash Enterprises
Santa Ynez, California, United States
Josh Snow

CEO
Trace Fiber Network
Ada, Oklahoma, United States
Claudia Tarbell (she/her/hers)

Senior Engagement Manager for Tribal and Indigenous Communities
Calix, New York, United States
Wayne Sekaquaptewa

General Manager and President
Hopi Telecommunications Inc, Arizona, United States

Navigating partnerships as a sovereign Tribal entity can be complex. This session examines how to collaborate effectively with federal, state, and county agencies, as well as suppliers, while maintaining autonomy. Discover frameworks for negotiation, compliance, and resource alignment that protect sovereignty and accelerate deployment. Gain insights to build partnerships that honor Tribal governance and deliver meaningful connectivity outcomes.