April 17, 2003 :: State Regents, Red Earth to Host Webcast Introducing Unique Native American History Tool for Oklahoma Classrooms
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Red Earth, Inc. will host a Webcast April 22 to announce a unique history tool that brings to life the migration of 38 nationally recognized tribes that settled in Oklahoma.
Red Earth, Indian Tribes of Oklahoma Interactive Journey, a CD-Rom, will soon be available for Oklahoma educators to download or purchase at minimal cost through a special Web site hosted by OneNet, the state’s telecommunications and information network for government and education. The Webcast is free to all participants and will begin at 1:20 p.m. To participate, simply visit http://www.onenet.net/ops/redearth.
The CD-Rom is targeted for the fourth through ninth grade curriculum and features seven areas of information: geography, dwellings, clothing, food, crafts, communication and tribes. In each area, historical information is given, as well as information on the adaptation that was necessary for the tribes coming to Oklahoma.
Red Earth developed the CD with the support of National Geographic, the Oklahoma Geography Education Fund, the Kerr Foundation and the Sarkeys Foundation.
Red Earth is an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote, preserve and promulgate the rich traditions of American Indian history and cultures.
“Educators and students alike will find the interactive journey a project that will enhance learning. The primary objective of this project is to help students better understand the complexities of the American Indians culture in a format that will be useful and exciting,” said Lou Kerr, president and vice chair of The Kerr Foundation, Inc.
“The CD is the only tool of its kind that offers broad information on the tribes that comprise Oklahoma’s heritage,” said Chancellor Paul G. Risser. “The State Regents are proud to offer the services of OneNet in order to make this tool easily available for download to Oklahoma’s fourth through ninth grade classrooms.”
Noted speakers during the Webcast include Howard and Mary Ellen Meredith. Howard is a noted professor at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, and Mary Ellen is the interim director of the Cherokee Heritage Center. Both are renowned experts in Native American culture and history and were instrumental in the development and writing of the CD.
For more information on this event or the CD, please contact the State Regents at 800.858.1840 or e-mail email@example.com or Lynne Hardin at Red Earth at 405.427.5228.