South Dakota Tribes unite against Governor’s inadequate social studies standards

South Dakota, USA – April 4, 2023 – The South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC) stands in solidarity with the nine Tribes of South Dakota in opposition to the proposed revisions of the K-12 Social Studies curriculum standards.
The Tribes have expressed concerns that the revised standards, developed by William Morrisey under a $200,000 contract from Governor Kristi Noem, fail to provide an adequate representation of Native American history and instead promote a biased narrative.
Tribal Education Directors stress that the proposed standards are vague, do not promote critical thinking and analysis, and lack proper representation of Native American history. They are particularly disappointed with the absence of Tribal Consultation prior to the release of the revised standards.
In a joint statement, all Tribes call for the reinstatement of Oceti Sakowin references in the Social Studies Standards document as originally presented by a diverse 40-person workgroup of educators, historians, and other experts. They also reject the proposed standards developed by Morrisey and demand a formal Tribal Consultation process to ensure that the voices and perspectives of all South Dakota Tribes are included in the education of future generations.
The united opposition underscores the importance of addressing the erasure of Indigenous history and culture from South Dakota’s educational curriculum. The removal of Indigenous content is a form of systemic racism that perpetuates the marginalization of Indigenous communities and their contributions to the history of South Dakota and the United States.
Despite opposition from all nine Tribes, the Secretary of Tribal Relations, David Flute and Director of Indian Education, Fred Osborn both testified at the hearings in support of the Governor’s proposed standards. The Tribes urge Governor Noem and the South Dakota Department of Education to recognize the importance of accurate and comprehensive representation of Native American history within the K-12 Social Studies curriculum. They believe that fostering a greater understanding of Indigenous cultures and contributions is crucial to building a more inclusive and respectful society.
South Dakota Great Plains Tribal Education Directors unanimously call upon the South Dakota Department of Education to work collaboratively with all the Tribes and engage in a meaningful Tribal Consultation process. They encourage the state to embrace a more inclusive and accurate approach to educating students about the rich and diverse history of South Dakota, including the significant role that Native American Tribes have played and continue to play in shaping the state’s cultural, political, and economic landscape.
SDEEC calls upon the public, educators, parents, and students to join them in advocating for a more inclusive and accurate representation of Native American history and culture in South Dakota’s K-12 Social Studies curriculum. By standing together in opposition to the proposed revisions, the Tribes hope to send a strong message that the erasure of Indigenous history and perspectives will not be tolerated.
For further inquiries or for more information on this issue, please contact the SDEEC Executive Director Sarah White at (402) 867-4241 or email sarah.white@sdeec.org.
About the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC):
The South Dakota Education Equity Coalition is a grassroots movement of community stakeholders committed to promoting diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments for future generations. Our mission is to hold leaders, educators, and policymakers accountable for their decisions and to leverage existing resources effectively to meet the specific needs of Indigenous students in South Dakota.

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