Meet the Aunties

Shelly Wahpepah (Kickapoo, Absentee Shawnee)

Shelly Wahpepah grew up in Shawnee, Oklahoma near her grandmother’s traditional home. Her language influences are from the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. She has received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master’s Degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. She has served as an advisor for Native student organizations and is a strong supporter of cultural and language preservation, often encouraging students in their pursuits of learning and preserving their languages and cultures.