Sherry Johnson, tribal education director for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, an Oceti Sakowin treaty tribe, talks about the efforts to have South Dakota’s students learn about Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota history and culture. South Dakota’s right wing governor and her appointees have rejected state standards that include critical thinking and accurate state history, sparking strong resistance.
Overview
00:00-01:57 Intros, Oceti Sakowin
01:57-05:52 South Dakota social studies standards development process
05:52-14:14 What happened during the development process and after the proposed standards were submitted; erasure of Natives from the standards; strong protests
14:14-15:50 Removal of critical thinking; mention of “culture” forbidden
15:50-17:07 Political context
17:07-20:01 Denial of opportunity to teach true history
20:01-21:07 Effects of protests
21:07-22:50 Resistance to mandating Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings as part of standards
22:50-25:18 Transfer of the Office of Indian Education from Department of Education to Office of Tribal Affairs and its impact
25:18-30:06 Tribal schools and relationships between tribal schools and non-tribal schools
30:06-30:53 How Wounded Knee is taught in public schools
30:53-31:33 Teacher preparation programs and Oceti Sakowin history
31:33-35:34 Significance of what’s happening in South Dakota
35:34-36:03 How people outside of South Dakota can be supportive
36:03- Outro
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear