Shaping Oklahoma

Nature, time and the ingenuity of mankind have joined forces in the shaping of the area that is readily identifiable on a map of the United States as Oklahoma. 

Nomadic people in search for food settled in what will later be called the Great Plains.  It is to these Nomadic Indians that the land began to yield its abundance and human habitation became a reality.  Failing to satisfy the quest for gold, the early explorers described the area as a wasteland.  Continuing to bear this identity after the United States acquired it in the Louisiana Purchase, this Great American Desert became a dumping ground for displaced Indian tribes.  Stronger language refers to this process as a concentration camp.   

The promise to the five nations (civilized tribes) “as long as grass grows, and water flows” was taken back as punishment for an allegiance to the Confederate States.  Gradually with land runs, lotteries and government maneuvering Oklahoma became the 46th State of the Union on November 16, 1907.

If one were to choose a single word to define Oklahoma’s culture it would be migration.  Oklahoma is a blending of many cultures, each bring to the mix a loyalty and pride that equals or exceeds the ethnic background.  It is this blending that gives Oklahomans their cultural identity - family, religion, work ethic.  This cultural identity has provided a background for the development of the state, and made the   inhabitants - Oklahomans, Sooners, Okies.   

The state constitution is a product of ordinary people steeped in the work ethic and a “let the people rule” dream.  The first state constitution to provide for an initiative petition and a referendum, Oklahoma government though considered by many “backward” is still fulfilling the “Let the people rule” hopes and dreams.  Shaped by nature, time, and human ingenuity the economy of Oklahoma can be described as “boom and bust.”  The Nomadic people who came to the Great Plains in search for food set the standard for those who will seek a home and a place to eek out a living who come after.   Accepting little promise other than land ownership, the homesteaders claimed the land and developed an agricultural base for the state, that is high on the list of productive in several products.  Up from the belly of the earth came a bubblin’ crude, that soon moved into the number one position as economic provider for the state and gave the state an identity, “Oil State”. The wealth of the oil industry trickled down into the pockets of the masses in the form of employment, royalties, leases and raised the living style of the state,  Oil communities developed into thriving towns and cities, and cultural arts found a place on the Oklahoma prairie.

Not only have the people of the state looked downward to the ground but upward toward the heavens and sold the eternal blue skies to the aviation industry.  The beauty that nature provides in the form of lakes (some natural, some man-made), mountains, wild life, and vegetation is labeled tourism and takes a place on the state’s economy chart.  . 

The greatest asset is, however, the people.  From the dedication of the country doctor who not only brought new life into the world but provided leadership and a heart for  communities to grow, to those whose talents are a product of the characteristics of Oklahoma culture -- sports, music, literature, leadership--Oklahomans take a place of honor.

Although it is not immediately apparent to those who control education in the state, education is key to the success of the state’s economy.  In a system that is archaic when measured by current needs;. one that is slow to recognize a correlation between teachers’ pay and a highly rated educational system, it is clear that this lesson has not yet been learned.  From the testimonials of a variety of teachers it is evidently clear the dedication and innovative planning of teachers is the one bright hope.