Oklahoma City University partnered with Apple and the state’s three largest Native American tribes recently to promote computer coding education in Oklahoma.

Among other things, their collaboration resulted in a three-day computer coding academy at OCU attended by educators from schools within the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw reservations. A goal was to equip teachers with knowledge and skills to integrate computer coding in classrooms.

According to a release, other goals of the partnership are to broaden career pathways for young people and to better utilize technology to preserve tribal languages and cultures.

“From coding to more broad technical skills, we’re helping young people prepare for in-demand jobs while still honoring the heritage, language and traditions of the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw nations,” OCU President Kenneth Evans said. “As these programs expand, so too will their reach.”

The partnership between OCU, Apple and the tribes is part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative, which launched in 2019. OCU is one of Apple’s newest partners in the initiative, which now has a presence in 29 states and the District of Columbia.

Leaders from Oklahoma’s tribal nations said they look forward to the effect of the initiative, as well the partnership, within their schools and communities.

“We’re so excited to be working in tandem with Apple and OCU to teach both our educators and students the skills they need to harness the power of technology for career opportunities and to help keep our language and traditions alive,” Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner said.

The teacher academy was the first in a series of initiatives involving OCU and the tribal nations. Evans said the university aims to support the tribes in language preservation efforts, as well as in uncovering new tactics for implementing technology to support employment and quality of life initiatives.

This story originally ran on the JournalRecord.com.