Mary Bowman, Hunkpapa/Oglala Lakota, Head of School
and Lead designer of Oceti Sakowin Community Academy, is from Rapid City, South Dakota. Mary has 15 years of experience working with Indigenous students in schools located in the Rapid City area. Mary believes an education grounded in culture, language, and our own history creates stronger educational outcomes for our wakanyeja. Mary has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education form Black Hills State University and will graduate with a Master’s Degree in Lakota Leadership and Management from Oglala Lakota College in the Spring of 2024.
Naomi Last Horse-Black Elk, Oglala Lakota, Lead Lakota Language Teacher
“Waste Walakapi Win” Oglala Lakota born and raised in Kyle SD on the Pine Ridge Reservation, received her Bachelor of Science in K-12th Lakota Studies Education from Oglala Lakota College in 2011. She has been teaching Lakota language for over 12 years alongside many native fluent speakers and mentors, past and present. Naomi is pursuing her Lakota Leadership and Management at Oglala Lakota College (OLC) She carries old wisdom and combines new knowledge. When asked why she became a teacher, her response is, “wanting all children to have stronger identities, establishing important virtues and becoming respectful relatives, Mitakuye Oyasin.”
Kollette Medicine, Hunkpapa Lakota and Kindergarten/Lakota Language Teacher
Nape Wakan Win (Kolette Medicine) born and raised in Mniluzahan,(Rapid City) she lives the Lakota way of life. She is successful teaching Lakota/Dakota/Nakota implementation in the classroom and has been working with Indigenous students for ten years of all ages. Kolette is a Wawokiye Ambassador and a Turnaround arts Teacher, she works on developing a culture curriculum, invites elders who share knowledge with her classroom. She Co-presented at the ND Indian Education Summit. She is a grade level team leader who incorporates the Lakota values and language daily into her class. She believes in bringing back our ancestors’ ways by teaching them through math and reading. Kolette is an ambassador to the community who graduated from Oglala Lakota College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in K-6. She knows what is best for our Wakanyeja.
Leona Means, Oglala Lakota, FireKeeper
Leona is a devoted mother of 4, and a passionate community advocate. In her time away from the school, she is supporting her very active children in their many sporting activities. Leona’s warm and welcoming nature creates a supportive environment for those around her, fostering a sense of unity and harmony. Leona is devoted to the students at Oceti Sakowin Community Academy and the students love their Tunwin Leona. Leona keeps many fires going at the school so things run smoothly.
Gigi Growing in Thunder, Shoshone, Kindergarten Cultural Specialist/Dance teacher
Gigi is a champion dancer and teaches dance to boys and girls at OSCA. When she is not teaching dance she is helping out in the Kindergarten classroom. Gigi is pursuing her Bachelor degree in social work at Oglala Lakota College.
Kehala Diserly, Hunkpapa Lakota Kindergarten Cultural Specialist
Kehala has a passion for teaching students at the school about their culture and language, and helping with interventions with those who need some extra help.
Kamalani Apo, Hawaiian Cultural Specialist, First Grade
Kamalani is a para in first grade and also helps with interventions with students. When Kamalani has extra time she shares her Hawaiian culture and language with students.
Lorna Pourier, Oglala Lakota, Cook
Lorna is a grandmother of students at the school and cooks and assists with lunch time at OSCA. She is Unci Lorna to the students and she loves all her takojalas, as she prepares each meal with love for the wakanyeja.