KU News Release

KU law student earns prestigious internship for Native Americans

Tracie Revis

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas student has been selected as a 2008 Native American Congressional Intern by the Morris K. Udall Foundation.

Tracie Revis, a first-year law student from Tulsa, Okla., is the first KU student to participate in the Udall program. She is one of 12 students from 11 tribes and 11 colleges and universities to be chosen for the honor.

Revis will complete an intensive, 10-week internship this summer in Washington, D.C., where she will work full time in congressional offices or federal agencies and observe the federal legislative process firsthand.

“This is a very sought-after experience in the Indian law world,” said Stacy Leeds, professor of law and director of KU’s Tribal Law and Government Center.

Revis (Yuchi and Muskogee Creek) is the daughter of Sammie and Shelia Revis of Oklahoma City. She is wolf clan from Polecat Ceremonial Grounds in Kellyville, Okla. She is pursuing a law degree with an emphasis in tribal law. Revis holds a bachelor’s in communications and a master’s in human relations, both from the University of Oklahoma. She has worked in Indian Country in various roles, including with Indian Child Welfare agencies. Her interests include family law, environmental law and natural resource preservation. She is a member of the Yuchi chapter of the Native American Church and is a shell shaker at her ceremonial ground.

“I would like to thank the Morris K. Udall Foundation for allowing me the privilege to represent my family, school and self as a 2008 recipient,” Revis said. “I am greatly honored and excited to be part of such an incredible opportunity. I look forward to gaining such valuable experience that I can one day take home to represent my people.”

The Udall interns are selected by an independent review committee of nationally recognized Native American educators and tribal policy leaders on the basis of demonstrated commitment to careers in tribal public policy and academic achievement. Since its inception in 1996, 149 Native American/Alaska Native students from 98 tribes have participated in the program.

The Morris K. Udall Foundation was authorized by Congress in 1992 to honor Udall’s legacy of public service. The foundation is supported by a trust fund in the U.S. Treasury and contributions from the private sector.

Udall served in the House of Representatives for three decades. He championed the rights of Native Americans and Alaska Natives, using his leadership in Congress to strengthen tribal self-governance and national environmental policy.

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