Okla. Superintendent wants Indian culture taught in schools

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) – State Superintendent Janet Barresi says she'd like to have American Indian culture taught on a regular basis in Oklahoma classrooms.

Barresi spoke Monday to an audience of tribal educators and officials during a symposium in Norman, saying she wants to work with Oklahoma-based tribes on ways to incorporate Indian culture into curriculum.

She says one of her key hires in the coming months will be for a director of Native American education at the state Department of Education.

Quinton Roman Nose of Watonga, the president-elect of the National Indian Education Association, says he is encouraged to hear of Barresi's plans. He says only a few other states – including Montana, New Mexico, Arizona and Washington – have taken significant steps to incorporate tribal culture into the classroom.