(August 20, 2025) — When Jrianna entered kindergarten at Oceti Sakowin Community Academy (OSCA) in 2022, her family was navigating profound grief. Her mother, Shena White Calf, recalls that her daughter had lost her spark—until she stepped into OSCA’s Lakota dual-immersion environment. Within months, that light returned.
“She found a place where she was not only accepted, but celebrated,” said Shena. “She could speak her Lakota language, be surrounded by love, and feel proud of who she is. OSCA gave us more than education—it gave us healing.”
This school year, Shena joins OSCA not only as a parent, but as part of the school’s “grow your own teacher program” to become a teacher continuing the cycle of care and cultural revitalization by nurturing the growth of other Lakota students.
A School Where Belonging Is the Curriculum
Founded on the principles of Lakota language, values, and identity, OSCA offers more than academics—it offers belonging. In a world where Indigenous children often face cultural erasure, OSCA stands as a beacon of hope, healing and pride.
“Students at Oceti Sakowin Community Academy feel at home here because it is home,” said Mary Bowman, Head of School. “We are unapologetically Indigenous, teaching critical academic curriculum through the lens of Lakota language and values.”
Growth Fueled by Community Support
As OSCA welcomes the 2025–2026 school year, it celebrates the expansion of its teaching staff and student body. Thanks in part to a grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the school now has 70 enrolled students offering grades K-3 to its growing community.
The support from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation reflects a shared commitment to uplifting Native communities through education, cultural preservation and wellness. Through its San Manuel Cares program, the Tribe has invested over $425 million since the early 2000s in transformative initiatives across Serrano Ancestral Lands and Indian Country.
Looking Ahead
With each new student, teacher and partnership, OSCA strengthens its mission: to be a place where Indigenous children thrive academically, spiritually and culturally. For families like Shena’s, it’s more than a school—it’s a sanctuary of healing, identity and hope.
Interview opportunities
- Mary Bowman, Head of School
- Shena White Calf, parent and paraprofessional