Cherokee Nation kicks off BAPS Indian Education Cultural Center project with $25k donation

(BROKEN ARROW, Okla.) Native American students make up 15% of Oklahoma's school population, according to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). This translates to more than 150,000 students across the state.

Broken Arrow currently serves more than 3,000 of those students. To better support them and their families, Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) is planning to develop an Indian Education Cultural Center. 

Rich Pawpa, the Indian Education Coordinator for BAPS, says the center will provide a dedicated space to honor Native American heritage while fostering educational growth.

He told us the creation of this center has been a long-term goal since he took on his current role.

“Creating the Indian Education Cultural Center is about more than just a physical building–it’s about building a supportive community where all students feel valued and understood,” said Pawpa. “By incorporating Indigenous perspectives and traditions into our educational framework, we can cultivate an inclusive environment that enriches the learning experience for everyone–Native and non-Native.”

Pawpa said tribal representation will be prioritized throughout the center’s design and programming, with BAPS working closely with local tribes.

“We are committed to transparency and ‘All Nations’ tribal involvement throughout the planning and development process of the Indian Education Cultural Center,” Pawpa said. “Together, we can create a space that honors our past while empowering future generations.”

This collaboration has already begun with a monetary donation from the Cherokee Nation, which contributed $25,000 toward the center's estimated $200,000 budget. The donation was made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Johnny Jack Kidwell, a Cherokee Nation Tribal Council Member representing Cherokee Nation’s at-large citizens, said the donation reflects the tribe's commitment to the project.

“I don't see many other schools doing what the Broken Arrow Indian Education Department is doing,” Kidwell said. “Bringing in all the different tribal nations under one umbrella, under one welcome center, under one cultural center. We like to put our money where our values are and we value our relationship there.”  

Pawpa expressed the district’s gratitude for the Cherokee Nation’s donation, noting its significance in the project's progress.

“Councilman Kidwell's generous contribution of $25,000 via the Cherokee Nation in seed money is a vital step forward in making our vision for the Broken Arrow Public Schools Native American Cultural Center a reality,” Pawpa said. “It demonstrates the tribe's standing commitment to ensuring success for our Native students.”

Plans for the center include a library with resources and literature focused on Native American culture. The space will also serve as a hub for workshops, art classes, and gatherings, helping to create a sense of community and cultural pride.

Additionally, the center will be a venue for celebrating important cultural dates, festivals, and ceremonies, giving Native American students and their families a place to honor their heritage. 

The Cherokee Nation remains enthusiastic about the project and plans to maintain its partnership with BAPS as the center develops.

“I think it's amazing,” said Kidwell. “It is something that we definitely wanted to be a part of, and it is something that we will continue to be a part of moving forward. We want to be as helpful as we can to them.” 

Those looking to support the project can email Rich Pawpa at richpawpa@baschools.org