Oklahoma
Catholic Church historian looking for ‘honest assessment’ of Indigenous boarding schools in Oklahoma
Catholic Church is conducting oral history interviews of people who attended Oklahoma Catholic boarding schools for Native Americans
Impacts of Catholic Indian boarding schools reach across generations
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Diocese of Tulsa launched a program for healing and reconciliation surrounding the Native boarding schools.
Addison Kliewer, Oklahoman
An oral historian has begun conducting interviews with people whose family histories are intertwined with Oklahoma Catholic boarding schools for Native Americans.
The interviews of former boarding school students and their descendants are being conducted to glean information for the Oklahoma Catholic Native Schools Project, an ambitious effort launched in 2021 by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, the Diocese of Tulsa and St. Gregory’s Abbey.
Through the project, Oklahoma Catholic leaders said they hoped to gain an honest assessment of the history and legacy of boarding schools for Native Americans that were operated by the church from 1880 to 1965.
According to the archdiocese, 14 Catholic boarding schools for Native Americans existed in Oklahoma between 1880 and 1965. The first one opened in Konawa in 1880 and closed in 1926. The last boarding school, St. Patrick’s in Anadarko, closed in 1965. They were all overseen by various Catholic religious orders.
George Rigazzi, the archdiocese’s archivist, said about seven people showed up in Anadarko to share their histories with an independent historian.
But the oral history initiative hit a snag when a planned second set of interviews in the Fairfax/Pawhuska area was not as fruitful. Because of this, a third interview time in Hominy has been postponed as church leaders regroup to determine how to encourage more people to share their stories.
“I understand the reticence, believe me, because it’s a matter of trust,” Rigazzi said. “We know not everything that happened in the Catholic Indian schools was bad, but we also know there were some things that were not right.”
The interviews in Hominy were initially planned for the first week of January. Rigazzi said church leaders are working with various groups to spread the word to Indigenous communities around the state and a meal designed to open up the lines of communication may be held in February. He said the church is primarily targeting Indigenous people for the interviews, but other people who attended the schools or their descendants are welcome to share their stories, as well.
The Native Schools Project came in the wake of a reckoning that began in Canada after the May 2021 discovery of 215 unmarked graves of Indigenous children by Canada’s Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc First Nation at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. Shortly afterward, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland launched a comprehensive review of the federal government’s role with Indigenous boarding schools, aiming to discover and highlight the intergenerational effect of the schools and the trauma they created for hundreds of Indigenous children and families.
More: Deb Haaland visits Oklahoma ’12 years of hell’: Former students recount life at Native American boarding schools in OK
In May 2022, the Interior Department published a federal report based on its investigation, underscoring the wide-ranging forms of abuse that Native students were forced to endure at the boarding schools, all with the purported goal of helping them assimilate into white culture. In June 2022, Oklahoma — which had 76 of the schools, more than any other state ― was the first stop on Haaland’s “Road to Healing” listening tour to hear boarding school survivors talk about their experiences.
Oral histories versus ‘listening sessions’
Thus far, the project has included research being conducted in partnership with Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which holds the archives for the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions. Specific collaboration is with Marquette professor Bryan Rindfleisch, who specializes in Native American history and studies.
More: Boarding school research Days of Native Americans at boarding schools are being brought to light with professor’s work
Notably, the project also has included “listening sessions” which were designed to draw former Indigenous boarding school students or their descendants to local churches to talk about their experiences with Deacon Roy Callison, with the archdiocese’s American Indian Catholic Outreach.
Callison, who facilitated the sessions with his wife, Susan, has said the listening sessions were generally informative and positive. At least one, a listening session held in early 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Konawa was not as positive, after it ended abruptly when several Native American women spoke about the troubled history of some of the boarding schools. The session ended on a sour note when a priest asked the Native American women to leave because church members became upset about the women’s negative portrayal of the boarding schools.
Rigazzi said the listening sessions were helpful by providing the Callisons with opportunities to talk about the Native Schools Project with local church members. They also gave Indigenous people and others in the community opportunities to share their stories about the boarding schools with those who gathered for the sessions.
He said the oral history interviews are different because they are being conducted in private and in non-church settings. Also, the archivist said church leaders have ensured that people may share their stories privately with oral history interviewer Lisa Lynn Brooks, an educator who is Choctaw. Rigazzi said Brooks is an Oklahoman who currently lives in New Jersey and she is not Catholic.
He said another individual helping with this latest part of the project is Dana Attocknie, managing editor of the Sooner Catholic, the Oklahoma City archdiocese’s official news outlet. Rigazzi and the archdiocese’s chancellor, Michael Scaperlanda, said Attocknie, who is Comanche and Pueblo, has been helping spread the word about the oral history effort. Scaperlanda said she recommended that the initiative be advertised in tribal newspapers and that has been done.
Scaperlanda said church leaders had hoped to begin the oral history interviews sooner but encountered a few roadblocks. He said they knew the interviews needed to be conducted by someone with no church ties but also a person who has been trained to conduct such interviews, particularly because of the sensitive and personal nature of the topic.
He said Brooks was added to the project once they determined she was the right person for the task but the logistics of where the interviews would take place also slowed the process down.
“We also knew that time was of the essence because the last school closed in 1965 and a lot of these folks are getting older,” Scaperlanda said.
He said it’s important to note that the church will not publicize oral histories if people don’t want to make them public. The idea behind the effort is to record the histories for the project, but only publicize them if the individual grants permission.
“We want to capture that history and preserve their privacy,” Scaperlanda said.
Like Rigazzi, he said he’s hoping that people will see the advertisements or hear about the oral history effort through word of mouth and decide to share their stories “because we really do want to understand what our boarding school history is.”
For more information about the oral history interviews, go to https://archokc.org/oknativeschoolsproject.
More: Catholic Indian boarding schools Catholic leaders exploring history, legacy of Oklahoma Catholic Indian boarding schools
Matt Campbell reflects on Iowa State football’s 2025 season
Hear from Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell on how the Cyclones approached the up-and-down season.
AMES — It’s the final week of the 2025 regular season, and Iowa State football is gearing up for a road matchup against Oklahoma State.
The Cyclones (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) will take on the Cowboys (1-10, 0-8 Big 12), as Matt Campbell’s squad looks to finish out the regular season on a high note. Each of the last nine matchups between these two teams – dating back to 2015 – was decided by seven points or fewer, but this game might not follow that trend.
Despite some of Iowa State’s struggles this year, the Cyclones are a heavy favorite, considering that Oklahoma State sits in sole possession of last place in the Big 12.
Here are three takeaways from Campbell’s media availability ahead of the Cyclones’ matchup against Oklahoma State.
Iowa State won’t underestimate Oklahoma State
The Cowboys have yet to beat a conference opponent this season, and they’ve won just one game all year. But Campbell isn’t underestimating Oklahoma State.
He understands the Cowboys will be fighting to prove something in their last game of the year – and on senior day, no less. That’s why Campbell expects a test for his Cyclones, despite the Cowboys’ record.
“When you watch this Oklahoma State team – and all you’ve gotta do is watch the last two games – how these kids are playing, it’s a tribute to their leadership in their locker room. It’s a tribute to the attitude and effort, and we know what Oklahoma State football is all about.”
Caleb Bacon will return next season
The Cyclones’ star linebacker may be listed as a redshirt senior on the roster, but he didn’t take part in Iowa State’s senior day ceremony – held before the game against Kansas. And there’s no question that he’ll be back in Jack Trice Stadium next year.
“That was a quick determination,” Campbell said about Bacon taking a medical redshirt last season. “(He) will be back next year. So, there’s no determination. He’s a junior ready to go play senior football next year.”
Xavier Townsend could miss the last game of the year
The Iowa State wide receiver could miss the final game of the season, with Campbell sharing that Townsend has been battling through a wrist injury.
“I don’t know what his availability will be this week,” Campbell said. “I would probably say leaning more towards doubtful than hopeful. (We’re) trying to figure out what exactly we need to do with that, and is it something that can heal without surgery.
“He’s battled it here the last couple of weeks, and X has done a great job battling through it and trying to give us everything he’s got.”
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
We have reached the semifinals of the Oklahoma high school football playoffs. The OSSAA has set the dates, times and locations for all semifinal games for all classes.
CLASS 6A-I
Bixby vs Broken Arrow – Friday, 11/28, 1 pm at Catoosa High School
Owasso vs Jenks – Friday, 11/28. 7 pm at Catoosa High School
Catoosa High School will host both 6A-I semifinals this Friday, November 28th. Bixby/Broken Arrow will kickoff at 1 pm, followed by Owasso/Jenks at 7 pm.
CLASS 6A-II
Stillwater vs Choctaw – Friday, 11/28, 1 pm at Edmond North High School
Sand Springs vs Putnam City – Friday, 11/28, 7 pm at Edmond North High School
Edmond North High School will host both 6A-II semifinals this Friday, November 28th. Stillwater/Choctaw will kickoff at 1 pm, followed by Sand Springs/Putnam City at 7 pm.
CLASS 5A
Lawton MacArthur vs Bishop McGuinness – Friday, 11/28, 7 pm at Noble High School
Carl Albert vs Newcastle – Friday, 11/28, 7 pm at Norman North High School
The 5A semifinals will be at two different sites this Friday, November 28th. Lawton MacArthur/Bishop McGuinness will be played at Noble High School, while Carl Albert/Newcastle will be played at Norman North High School. Both games will kickoff at 7 pm.
CLASS 4A
Elgin vs Cushing – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Putnam City North High School
Tuttle vs Broken Bow – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at East Central University
The 4A semifinals will be played at two different sites next Friday, December 5th. Elgin/Cushing will be played at Putnam City North High School, and Tuttle/Broken Bow will be played at East Central University. Both games will kickoff at 7 pm.
CLASS 3A
Heritage Hall vs Lincoln Christian – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Bristow High School
Sulphur vs Perkins-Tryon – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Norman North High School
The 3A semifinals will be played at two different sites next Friday, December 5th. Heritage Hall/Lincoln Christian will be played at Bristow High School, and Sulphur/Perkins-Tryon will be played at Norman North High School. Both games will kickoff at 7 pm.
CLASS 2A-I
Jones vs Marlow – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Noble High School
Washington vs Oklahoma Christian – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Yukon High School
The 2A-I semifinals will be played at two different sites next Friday, December 5th. Jones/Marlow will be played at Noble High School, and Washington/Oklahoma Christian will be played at Yukon High School. Both games will kick off at 7 pm.
CLASS 2A-II
Stroud vs Adair – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Ponca City High School
Davis vs Vian – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Harrah High School
The 2A-II semifinals will be played at two different sites next Friday, December 5th. Stroud/Adair will be played at Ponca City High School, and Davis/Vian will be played at Harrah High School. Both games will kickoff at 7 pm.
CLASS A-I
Pocola vs Tonkawa – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Catoosa High School
Pawhuska vs Rejoice Christian – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Oologah High School
The A-I semifinals will be played at two different sites next Friday, December 5th. Pocola/Tonkawa will be played at Catoosa High School, and Pawhuska/Rejoice Christian will be played at Oologah High School. Both games will kickoff at 7 pm
CLASS A-II
Fairland vs Talihina – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Beggs High School
Allen vs Hominy – Friday, 12/5, 7 pm at Edmond North High School.
The A-II semifinals will be played at two different sites next Friday, December 5th. Fairland/Talihina will be played at Beggs High School, and Allen/Hominy will be played at Edmond North High School. Both games will kickoff at 7 pm.
CLASS B-I
Laverne vs Pond Creek-Hunter – Friday, 11/28, 7 pm at Northwestern (Alva)
Hollis vs Dewar – Friday, 11/28, 7 pm at Alex High School
The B-I semifinals will be played at two different sites this Friday, November 28th. Laverne/Pond Creek-Hunter will be played at Northwestern in Alva, and Hollis/Dewar will be played at Alex High School. Both games will kickoff at 7 pm
CLASS B-II
Seiling vs Cherokee – Friday, 11/28, 1 pm at Northwestern (Alva)
Weleetka vs Okeene – Friday, 11/28, 7 pm at Jones High School
The B-II semifinals will be played at two different sites this Friday, November 28th. Seiling/Cherokee will be played at Northwestern in Alva at 1 pm, and Weleetka/Okeene will be played at Jones High School at 7 pm.
CLASS C
Timberlake vs Medford – Friday, 11/28, 7 pm at Watonga High School
Ryan vs Tipton – Friday, 11/28, 1 pm at Alex High School
The C semifinals will be played at two different sites this Friday, November 28th. Timberlake/Medford will be played at Watonga High School at 7 pm, and Ryan/Tipton will be played at Alex High School at 1 pm.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma 7-Eleven clerk, mom of 3, fired after shooting customer who attacked her: ‘I need to be here for my kids’
A brave Oklahoma 7-Eleven clerk was fired for shooting a customer, who tried to strangle her and threatened to “slice her head off” — because she used her own gun, violating the convenience store’s policy.
Stephanie Dilyard, 25, said she was working alone at the Oklahoma City 7-Eleven just after midnight on Nov. 14 when a man came in and tried to pay for a trove of junk food with a counterfeit $100 bill, KOKH reported.
The mother of three said that when she called the man out on the bill being bogus, he began threatening her and became erratic.
“He threatened me, and said he was gonna slice my head off, and that’s when I tried to call the police,” she recalled.
Dilyard said the brute started hurling objects at her before he rushed behind the counter and put his hands on her.
“I tried to run off, but he grabbed his hands around my neck, and pushed me out of the counter space, and that’s when I pulled out my gun and I shot him,” she said.
The suspect, Kenneth Thompson, fled the store after he was shot in the stomach. The 59-year-old made it a few blocks away from the 7-Eleven before calling 911.
The alleged violent fraudster was taken into custody at the hospital and charged with assault and battery, threatening acts of violence, attempting to pass counterfeit currency, and violating parole on an outstanding felony warrant.
Investigators ruled that Dilyard’s actions were justified under Oklahoma’s stand-your-ground law, which allows people to use deadly force when confronting an imminent threat of death or serious harm.
While authorities have cleared the 25-year-old mom, her employer fired her just days after the frightening ordeal on Nov. 17.
“They said that they were going to separate from employment because of a violation of policy,” Dilyard, who had been working the overnight shift alone from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. for more than two years, said.
Dilyard, who still had a scratch on her neck and burn marks on her finger from firing the gun, told the outlet that all she cared about when she was getting attacked was getting home to her kids.
“This was a situation where I felt like I was put into a corner between choosing between my job, and my life, and I’m always going to choose my life because there’s people that depend on me. Just, I’m going, I’m going home, you know. I need to be here for my kids,” she said.
She hopes what she endured will drive changes that better protect clerks — especially women — and ensure they aren’t afraid to defend themselves when facing a life-or-death threat.
“If I’ve known that there’s a potential that somebody is for real on taking my life away that I will do whatever it takes, and I hope that women see that, and they’ll do the same thing,” she said.
“You have a right to defend yourself.”
Since losing her job, Dilyard has launched a GoFundMe to help her family with expenses while she’s out of work and said she had zero regrets for defending herself.
“We have no security, and we are not allowed to carry self defense weapons, including mace,” she wrote. “That’s is why I decided to carry in the first place.”
“I never expected for me to be in this situation, but I did what I had to do to go home to my kids. I was a good employee, committed and determined, but in-between a rock and a hard place I had to make a quick decision—lose my life, or lose my job,” she added.
The Post has reached out to 7-Eleven for comment.
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