What a Prager U-inspired social studies curriculum could mean for Oklahoma's Native students

(OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.) The indoctrination of Oklahoma students took a new turn last month, following Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters’s announcement that public schools are now required to incorporate the bible into their instruction. 

New social studies curriculum requirements announced by Walters on July 9th reflect the new mandate. 

A news release from Walter’s office stated “The revised standards will incorporate the introduction of the bible as an instructional resource.” 

Walters’ office has claimed that the new curriculum will inspire a greater love of country. 

“Oklahomans – citizens, parents, and business leaders alike – are disgusted with the lack of civic knowledge, love for our country, and historical education among our young people,” said Walters. “It is crystal clear that we need to return to more rigorous social studies standards that emphasize the unique and exceptional nature of the American republic, promote a proper understanding of the nation’s founding, and instill pride in our civic traditions and Oklahoma heritage.”

To assist with revising the social studies standards, Walters has enlisted the help of an Executive Review committee that includes conservative media commentators like Dennis Prager, the founder of PragerU. 

PragerU touts itself as “the world's leading conservative nonprofit that is focused on changing minds through the creative use of digital media.”

Its educational videos have been shown in classrooms across Florida schools as well as Oklahoma schools. 

Their content has been flagged as controversial by many, especially those concerned with inaccurate and misguided Native American content, including a video about Christopher Columbus. 

The almost 13-minute long video shows two school aged children going back in time to meet Christopher Columbus and discuss his arrival to North America. 

The students mention discussions about Columbus that include criticisms of what he did to Native Americans who were already on the land he discovered. 

Columbus counters these arguments by saying, “In Europe we draw the line at things like eating people and human sacrifice. Some of the Native folks I just left do those things regularly.”

In the video Columbus also claims that Natives were already being held as slaves when he arrived, but also says “being taken as a slave is better than being killed no? I don’t see the problem”. 

The video also portrays Columbus saying he should not be judged for his actions by people in the future. 

PragerU features another video from 2018, titled “Goodbye, Columbus Day”. The video criticizes the change to Indigenous People’s Day from Columbus Day. In the video, Steven Crowder says, “This whole Indigenous Peoples Day charade is about teaching your children to despise Western Civilization and anybody who dare defend it.” 

Another PragerU video, titled “Are we living on Stolen Land,” justifies Native people dying by disease after the arrival of Europeans because they were more homogenous and had less immunity to disease than people in Africa, Asia, and Europe. 

The marriage of downplayed Indigenous injustices and forced religion in Oklahoma and beyond are similar to the assimilation tactics deployed through Native American Boarding Schools in the 19th and 20th century. 

Thousands of Native children were taken from their families to boarding schools where they were not allowed to speak their Native language and forced to learn English instead. 

In addition to the destruction of their culture, Native children also experienced physical punishments at the boarding schools and many died. 

This and other Native state history are not widely or comprehensively taught in Oklahoma schools. A reality worsened by House Bill 1775, passed by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2021.

The law states “any educational curriculum or activities that imply any individual should feel discomfort on account of his or her race or sex, among other provisions, should not be included in instructional materials and employee professional development”, effectively chilling attempts to teach the darker sides of Native American history. 

The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Tribes called on the Oklahoma Legislature to repeal the law, but it remains in effect.