Native American Programs September
September 2025 Newsletter
Hawe (Hello in Osage) Epic Families,
Welcome to a new school year. My name is Ashlee Worley, and I am honored to serve as the managing director of Native American Programs here at Epic Charter Schools. As a citizen of the Osage Nation, I am deeply committed to supporting our Native students and families across the state through culturally enriching, student-centered programming.
While this may be my first year officially serving in this role, I’ve been part of Native American Programs since the very beginning and have had the privilege of working alongside our incredible team as the program has grown. Their dedication and heart have shaped everything we do, and I’m grateful to continue this work with them. This program is close to my heart, and I’m committed to carrying its mission forward with care and consistency.
We Have a Full Year Ahead
This year, we have so many opportunities for students to be involved and stay connected. We’ll offer both in-person and virtual activities like cultural workshops, field trips, guest speakers, and monthly hands-on projects that give students a chance to explore their identity and traditions. Through our student clubs, Native students will have a place to come together, learn from each other, and build lasting connections. These experiences not only celebrate our culture but also help students grow in confidence, pride and community.
Earn High School Credit While Exploring Native Heritage
Our high school Seminole Creek language course continues this year. It’s the first of its kind, created in partnership with the Seminole Nation Language Department. Kevin Roberts Fields and Tara Damron have worked closely with tribal leaders to develop this meaningful, credit-earning course that helps students strengthen cultural ties through language.
We are also proud to offer our Native American Studies (NAS) course, developed by NAP Specialist Stephanie Hilliary with contributions from other members of the Native American Programs team. NAS 1A and 1B are available this year, providing students with a deep exploration of Native history, culture, sovereignty, and contemporary issues. NAS 2A and 2B will be available next school year, allowing students to continue their learning journey. We are so proud of this course and excited for our students to experience it.
For more information about these courses, reach out to us at indianeducation@epiccharterschools.org.
Resources for Success
We’re here to support each Native student in their academic and personal journey. Our team offers a variety of resources to help students thrive, including targeted tutoring for grades 3–5, test prep materials, and even paying for ACT tests and college application fees. More details about these opportunities will be shared soon.
Stay Connected
We encourage families to stay involved, attend events, and share feedback. Your voice matters and plays an important role in shaping a strong and supportive program for our Native students. One great way to stay connected is by joining our Indian Education Parent Committee. Your insight and ideas help guide the work we do. We’re excited for the year ahead and all we’ll build together.
Thank you,
Ashlee Worley
Managing Director
September 5 - Discovery Lab- Tulsa
September 30 - Cherokee Cultural Celebration - OKC
Many Native languages do not have a phrase for “goodbye.” With that in mind, the Epic Native American Programs team would like to wish a heartfelt “See you later” to Leslie Montemayor as she embarks on a new career path.
Leslie first came to Epic in September 2022. Originally working as a Native Student College and Career Specialist serving under Allison Black, she later took over as Native American Programs Coordinator, and ultimately working her way all the way up to Native American Programs Director. Under her leadership, the program grew and expanded, reaching thousands of students in all corners of our state. Her dedication and passion for Indian Education is evident in all she does. She’ll be sorely missed.
But we know great things are ahead for Leslie. She will thrive whatever role she finds herself in. Her commitment to students is not going anywhere, and we’re confident we’ll work with her down the road. Until then, if you see Leslie, please give her a big, “Mvto! (Thank you)” for all she’s done for this program. We wouldn’t be where we are without her amazing leadership!
- Ryan Fowler on behalf of the entire NAP Team
Whole Health and Wellness Club
9th to 12th Grade
Indigenous Endeavors
PreK to 12th Grade
Register
2025-2026
NAP Clubs Flyer
Crazy Horse: 148 Years Gone, but Still Speaking to Us Today by Stephanie Hilliary
This September marks 148 years since the death of Crazy Horse, the legendary Oglala Lakota leader who passed away in 1877. Though more than a century has gone by, his courage, convictions, and vision still echo in our world—and in the work I do every day.
Crazy Horse is remembered as one of the greatest Native leaders in U.S. history. He was a skilled warrior, a brilliant strategist, and a fierce protector of his people’s land and culture. He fought in key battles during the Great Sioux War, including the 1866 Fetterman Fight—where his decoy strategy led to one of the U.S. Army’s worst defeats—and the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, where Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors defeated General George Custer.
But Crazy Horse’s importance wasn’t only in his victories. He was a man of integrity who put his people above personal fame. He refused to be photographed, never sought the spotlight, and stood firmly against signing treaties that would force his people off their homelands. He understood that losing their land meant losing their way of life, language, and traditions.
As someone who works with Native students and communities, I can’t help but see a connection between his determination and the resilience I witness daily. Crazy Horse stood against forces that sought to erase his culture. Today, our challenges may look different, but the goal is the same—ensuring the survival and thriving of Native identity, language, and sovereignty.
History can sometimes feel far away, like names on a page. But when I think of Crazy Horse, I’m reminded that history is alive in the choices we make and the people we inspire. The same spirit that guided him—quiet strength, unshakable purpose, and loyalty to one’s people—is the spirit we can carry into our classrooms, our homes, and our communities.
Crazy Horse once said, “I will return to you in a better form.” Maybe that “better form” is in each of us when we choose to live with integrity and to work for something greater than ourselves.
Kanuchi, A Cherokee Delicacy by Jay Hester
About Kanuchi
Kanuchi is considered a real delicacy. The nuts are gathered in the fall and allowed to dry for a few weeks before the kanuchi making begins. It is a simple process, but that does not necessarily mean it is easy. The hickory nuts are cracked, and the largest pieces of shell are removed either by shaking the pieces through a loosely woven basket or picking them out by hand.
Traditionally, a log was hollowed out on one end into a bowl-like shape. The shelled hickory nuts were placed in the hollowed log and pounded with a long, heavy stick with a rounded end shaped to fit the cavity in the log. The nuts were pounded until they reached a consistency that could be formed into a ball that would hold its shape. Kanuchi balls are usually about three inches in diameter and must be stored in a cold place. Today, kanuchi is usually preserved by freezing.
Preparing Kanuchi
To prepare kanuchi for the table, place a kanuchi ball in a saucepan with about a quart of water and bring it to a boil to dissolve the ball. Allow the kanuchi to simmer for about ten minutes, then pour it through a fine sieve (a colander lined with cheesecloth works well). All remaining shells will be left in the sieve. If you have the time and patience, you can pick the larger bits of nut meat from the shells and add them to the liquid kanuchi.
The kanuchi should be about as thick as light cream. Most traditional cooks add about two cups of homemade hominy to a quart of kanuchi. Some prefer hominy grits, prepared according to package directions, while others add cooked rice. Consistency, the amount of hominy or grits, and the addition of salt or sugar are all a matter of personal taste. Serve kanuchi hot as a soup.
Kanuchi (Cherokee) Recipe
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1 gallon hickory nuts
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1/2 gallon water
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2–3 cups precooked rice or hominy
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Sugar to taste, if desired
Begin by pulverizing the entire nut, shell and meat together, until it can be worked into a paste and formed into a ball about the size of a baseball. This ball can be stored for long periods in the freezer or in a very cold place.
To use, bring water to a hard boil. Put the kanuchi ball in a strainer and slowly pour boiling water over it, stirring to break it up while keeping the shells in the strainer. This makes about 1/2 gallon of soup. Add cooked rice or hominy, and sugar if desired.
Ashlee Worley
Adrianne Arellano
Native Programs Grant Data and Compliance Specialist
Asa Thompson
Danylle Brock
Jay Hester
Ryan Fowler
Stephanie Hilliary
Walter Kerrick
Whitney Red Corn
Kevin Roberts-Fields
Native Languages Program
Tara Damron
Corbin Dewitt
College & Career Readiness Department
