NAP Year in Review
2022 - 2023 Year in Review
Mvto (thank you) to our Epic Native families!
Because of you, we have had an amazing year supporting our students. We appreciate getting to know each of you through our events, student organizations, and virtual meetings. Our team strived to bring cultural activities, academic support, college and career readiness events all over the state. Your overwhelming support and feedback, expressing how the program's first year has deeply touched your students, has truly warmed our hearts. We love hearing your stories of cultural connections and student successes and are so grateful you let us be a part of those journeys. We are using the summertime to finalize our events for 2023-2024 and learning how to make more cultural crafts to share with you.
I wanted to say a special thank you to our amazing parent committee, officers, and student representatives. They are at the center of our organization, and we would not be successful without their hard work and them volunteering their time. We encourage you to join and participate in our monthly virtual meetings. We also have a few officer positions opening, so if you are interested in becoming an officer, please let me know.
Looking back on our first year, I am so blessed to see the transformation in our students when they are filled with pride after making their first pair of moccasins, learning to bead something, or hearing an Indigenous language for the first time. To see how it ignites a spark in them to learn more and excitedly share with others about their Native heritage is why we do what we do. I had the privilege of volunteering as graduation support during all but one of the Epic commencement ceremonies. During that time, I met with many of our graduating seniors and was so impressed with their ambitions. As they lined up to walk across the stage, I was a part of the group helping them line up their stoles, chords, caps, and tassels. I genuinely wished each of them congratulations and expressed how proud we were of them. Seeing them stand proudly with their regalia brought tears to my eyes because they are a reminder that our people will continue to thrive.
Vrakkuecetv (respect and appreciation)
Leslie Montemayor
Native American Programs Coordinator
Cultural Workshops
K-5 Beading Classes
NW Programs Specialist, Jessica Thompson, traveled around the state this past spring with Katherine Witzig teaching students in grades K to 5th grade how to bead medallions using pony beads.
Moccasin Classes
SW Programs Specialist, Jordan Mackey, traveled around the state this past year teaching our students how to make Southern Plains Style moccasins. We hope to offer Pucker Toe moccasins next year in addition to the Southern Plains style.
Graduation Cap Beading Classes
NW Programs Specialist, Jessica Thompson, traveled around the state this past spring teaching our seniors how to bead their mortar boards for graduation.
Field Trips
Cultural Enrichment
VLC Read Alouds
During Native American Heritage Month in November, our region specialists engaged in an impactful initiative. They conducted interactive read-aloud sessions with students from Pre-K to 8th grade at both the Tulsa and OKC Virtual Learning Centers. The specialists carefully selected age-appropriate children's books by Native American authors. These read-aloud sessions were very interactive, educational, and provided an opportunity to share various tribal-specific cultures, languages, and stories with the students.
Indian Ed Language Expo at 50 Penn
The Native American Programs team hosted the First Native Language Exposition. This event showcased Tribal language departments from 15 tribes around Oklahoma. Each department brought educational resources for students and their families. The Native Language Exposition offered Epic students insight into the variety of native languages across the state and gave them access to their own native language. Many students are just beginning to learn and develop their Native identity, so having access to these resources sets a good foundation for their growth and confidence in their communities. During this exposition, Language departments presented their department programs and services to the students and families.
Family Engagement Expos
The Epic Family Engagement Department organizes statewide events and provides an array of resources aimed at empowering families. These resources include detailed how-to guides, a wide range of resources, and general information tailored to accommodate the needs of students across all grade levels and specific requirements. These events occur throughout the state, and the Native American Programs team attends every expo.
Extracurricular Classes
We offered two extracurricular classes this year:
Native American Studies and Creek/Seminole Language.
Native American Studies was open to high school students as an extracurricular course. Some topics discussed were Native identity throughout history and in contemporary times and tribal sovereignty. The culminating project for students was to research and present on a notable Native person, examining their leadership skills and how they have positively impacted the Native community.
Creek/Seminole Language was offered to middle school and high school students for non-credit this year. It was an introductory class in the language, which met twice a week. However, in the 2023 - 2024 school year, we will offer Creek/Seminole Language for a High School Language credit.
Epic Intertribal Talking Circle
This past fall, we had a supportive group of tribal and education representatives who provided great insight into resources and events available to our students across Oklahoma. Their input was vital to developing engaging events in our first few months as a department, and we value their ongoing support.
Clubs and Organizations
Indigenous Endeavor (STEAM)
Indigenous Endeavor is a STEAM program offered to Native American students with a completed 506 form with Epic. This program's primary focus is STEAM Education, which incorporates learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. This program will be facilitated by cultural guidance and integration, allowing students to relate STEAM to their own Indigenous identity and heritage. Students can participate in STEM Kit events, weekly Zoom discussions, and competitions. Over the 22-23 school year, the students visited the Oklahoma City Science Museum, Fred Jones Art Museum, and the Tulsa Science and Air Museum. Students also got to participate in multiple cultural-specific crafts related to the STEAM field.
Native American Student Organization (NASO)
The Native American Student Organization (NASO) warmly invites all Epic students in grades 9th-12th to join our vibrant community. NASO provides a welcoming space for students who are eager to connect, learn, and actively participate within the Native American community.
Our organization gathers on a weekly basis via Zoom, offering a convenient platform for interaction and engagement. By joining NASO, students gain the opportunity to expand their knowledge, deepen their cultural understanding, and form meaningful connections with fellow students who share a common interest in Native American heritage.
Whether you're looking to explore your roots, engage in cultural discussions, or contribute to community initiatives, NASO provides a supportive and inclusive environment where students can thrive and make a positive impact.
Junior Native American Student Organization (JR NASO)
Jr. NASO, an inclusive organization, welcomes all Epic students in grades 5th-8th. It serves as a dynamic cultural association committed to supporting, enhancing, and enriching the educational journey of Native American students.
At Jr. NASO, we actively work towards providing assistance and creating opportunities that amplify the educational experience of Native American students. Our focus is on fostering growth, cultural pride, and academic achievement within a supportive community. By joining Jr. NASO, students embark on a meaningful journey where they can explore their heritage, develop valuable skills, and forge lifelong connections.
3rd & 4th Grade Native American Club
The 3rd and 4th-grade Native American Club offers an engaging and immersive experience for students as they delve into the rich cultures of various Native American tribes. Each week, the club introduces a new tribe, providing students with a deep understanding of its traditional homelands, unique housing styles, distinctive clothing, notable indigenous figures, and even the languages specific to each tribe.
In addition to the valuable knowledge gained, this club also fosters connections between Native American students across the state. It serves as a platform for interaction and cultural exchange, allowing students to learn from one another while celebrating the vibrant diversity of Native American tribes.
Warrior Book Club
In our Warrior Book Clubs, Pre-K through 2nd-grade students come together in a secure and well-organized virtual learning environment. These clubs provide a unique opportunity for students to engage, interact, and foster a love for reading through captivating read-aloud sessions.
Each book selected for our Warrior Book Clubs revolves around Indigenous themes or is authored by Indigenous writers. This intentional choice ensures that students not only enjoy the stories but also gain a deeper appreciation for Indigenous cultures and perspectives.
While the primary focus is on fostering a joy for reading, the Warrior Book Clubs also emphasize language arts skills and standards. Throughout the meetings, various language arts concepts are highlighted and discussed, enriching the overall learning experience for the students.
Join our Warrior Book Clubs to embark on an exciting literary journey, where young readers explore diverse Indigenous literature, develop language arts proficiency, and forge connections with their peers in a supportive virtual setting.
Indian Education Support for Families and Staff
Indian Education Parent Committee
We are so thankful to the parents and families who joined our monthly Indian Education Parent Committee meetings. It has been a joy to hear about your experiences when attending our events, and learning new ways to academically and culturally support your students.
2022 - 2023 Officers:
President - Johnna James
VP - Lacey Marshall
Secretary - McKenzie Meade
Treasurer - Vacant
Student Representatives - Destiney Hugar and Norah Hutchison
Teacher Representative - Sarah Greene
Tribal Representative - Larenda Morgan
Native American Teacher and Staff Association
Our Native American Teacher and Staff Association (NATSA) has experienced remarkable growth, with an increasing number of dedicated members attending our meetings. The feedback we've received from educators has been exceptional, as they have found valuable ways to connect with and support our students. In turn, these educators have actively promoted our events and activities to their students and families, fostering a sense of community and engagement.
Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate expanding our efforts in the upcoming year. Our aim is to create an even broader range of cultural and professional development opportunities for our NATSA family. By doing so, we will continue to strengthen our network, empower educators, and enhance the educational experiences of our Native American students. Together, we will forge a path of growth, collaboration, and success.