Annual conference set May 28-29 at WinStar World Casino and Resort
Registration is open for the annual Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference, set May 28-29 at WinStar Convention Center in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
The conference recognizes the strength and leadership of Chickasaw women from all walks of life and salutes their valuable contributions, talents and skills. The theme for the 2026 conference is “Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies.”
The two-day conference will feature inspiring presentations, panel discussions, audience-driven forums, several unique breakout sessions and the announcement of the 2026 Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year.
Established in 2006, the Dynamic Woman of the Year Award honors women of the Chickasaw Nation for their strength, leadership and valuable contributions to their tribe. It also pays tribute to a Chickasaw woman who has inspired, given hope or opened new possibilities and opportunities for others through her example.
Janie Simms Hipp, 2025 Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year, will deliver the conference keynote address on the first day with the 2026 Dynamic Woman of the Year delivering remarks on the second day.
Hipp, a Chickasaw citizen, has worked in agricultural law for almost 40 years. She is a recognized expert in agricultural law and in the intersection of agricultural law and First American law.
Hipp was the first enrolled tribal citizen to serve as general counsel for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). She is also one of only four women to occupy that position since 1905.
Hipp was the founding CEO of the Native American Agriculture Fund, the largest philanthropic institution focused on First American agriculture. She also served as founding director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative and as a national program leader at the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture. In addition, she served as senior adviser for tribal relations to former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and as founding director of the USDA Office of Tribal Relations.
Hipp currently serves as CEO and president of Native Agriculture Financial Services (NAFS), a national organization assisting First American farmers and ranchers with specialized lending and enhanced capital access.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in social work from the University of Oklahoma, a law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law and a Master of Laws in agricultural and food law from the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Hipp was inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2024.
She resides in Edmond, Oklahoma.
The Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference is open to the public at no charge. Registration is required to attend.
For registration and additional information, visit Chickasaw.net/DynamicWomen. The conference will also be available to watch online.
For more information, call (580) 272-9326 or email CulturalEnhancement@Chickasaw.net.