Sisterhood can take many forms. Gamma Delta Pi, a new sorority at East Central University (ECU) in Ada, Oklahoma, aims to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood, specifically for First American women.
Nicole Schultz, the older sister of ECU freshman Gabrielle Nucosee, had been a member of Gamma Delta Pi at the University of Oklahoma (OU). Nucosee was very interested in establishing the sorority on the ECU campus. Schultz contacted Emily Black, the chair of the expansion committee and president-elect of the Gamma Delta Pi Governance Board, to see what steps needed to take place. To begin the process to establish a new chapter the sorority would need five chapter founders. Schultz approached Olivia Terry and Kala Furr to gauge their interest, and Black reached out to Mena Cedartree and Adelyn Hernandez.
When they needed a faculty adviser, they contacted Destany Schafer-Morgan about facilitating a chapter on the ECU campus, which would be the seventh chapter in the United States.
When Schafer-Morgan was first approached about Gamma Delta Pi, she said she was surprised but excited.
“I thought it would be a really great thing,” Schafer-Morgan said.
Schafer-Morgan, a professor of social work at ECU, was already the faculty adviser for the Native American Students Association (NASA) and involved in the Native American Advisory Council on campus.
“It was like the missing piece,” Schafer-Morgan said. “We already had NASA, but there is something special about a sisterhood.”
After many conversations and a great deal of planning, Gamma Delta Pi, the first sorority for First American women at ECU, was born. History was made Oct. 23, 2025, when members were initiated into the sorority.
“Initiation night was very special to me. I joined Gamma Delta Pi before my sister was born, and now I am able to GDP with my own sister,” said Schultz. “The ladies of Gamma Delta Pi were my biggest support system in college, and now as adults we are still there for each other. I love that my sister will have the same encouragement at ECU.”
The sorority currently has five members, each with their own roles and responsibilities.
Terry, a Chickasaw citizen with Seminole and Creek ancestry, is a sophomore majoring in mass communications. She is the Clan Mother of Gamma Delta Pi, which is equivalent to a sorority president.
Cedartree, of Seminole and Creek descent, is a junior majoring in biology. She takes on the role of White Council or sorority vice president.
Furr, a Chickasaw citizen, is a freshman majoring in mass communications. She is the Black Council, which fulfills the roles of secretary and social media manager.
Hernandez, a Chickasaw citizen, is a senior majoring in kinesiology. She is the Yellow Council, which takes the role of treasurer. She also places focus on sorority recruitment.
Nucosee, a Chickasaw citizen with Oklahoma Choctaw, Mississippi Choctaw and Seminole ancestry, is a freshman majoring in mass communications. She is the Red Council. Her duties include scheduling cultural events and classes for sorority bonding nights.
One of the first tasks the women needed to accomplish was choosing a philanthropy to support. After much research, they decided to choose the Regina Bounds Foundation, located in Seminole, Oklahoma, and established by the assistant chief of the Seminole Nation, Sheila Harjo.
The foundation supports domestic violence survivors and combats the scourge of domestic violence by providing shelter, counseling and advocacy for those in need. The Regina Bounds Foundation also helps affected individuals and families rebuild stability and independence.
Through the process of initiation, the women had to accomplish specific goals in their academic and personal development to focus on each week.
During the first week, they made baby blankets and donated them to the Regina Bounds Foundation.
The second week focused on cultural knowledge. They had the option of going to a ceremony or learning a traditional craft, and the initiates decided to learn more about beadwork. They also went to Willard Elementary School in Ada and played stickball with fifth and sixth graders during an event hosted by the Chickasaw Nation.
Week three they were tasked with a wellness hour and community service. The initiates decided to go to the gym together to fulfill this requirement. They also volunteered at Abba’s Tables in Ada, which serves complimentary meals to anyone in need.
During their last week, they chose their philanthropy and made a presentation about the reasoning behind their choice and their proposed involvement. They also wrote letters to an elder member of their family, reinforcing generational bonds.
Each week, they also had to meet a minimum of 10 study hours with sisters from OU and the National Chapter. These hours were completed via Zoom.
When each of these women came to ECU, they did not dream they would be creating a historic opportunity for future First American students.
“I didn’t even know this could be possible or that this was a thing,” Cedartree said. “It is a great opportunity, and I’m so glad to be able to be a founder who establishes this here.”
The women are grateful for this opportunity for both themselves and future students.
“Even though ECU isn’t huge, it can still be easy to get lost in the crowd and not find the other Native ladies that are here,” Nucosee said.
Furr, who is returning to college, sees the importance of the support system, both for herself and future students.
“I think I would have made different choices and may have stayed in school if I would have had a support system like this,” Furr said. “I’m really looking forward to helping other women have the confidence they need and introduce them to new resources and connections.”
Gamma Delta Pi allows the women involved to have a support system within their sisterhood, but also a platform to use their own unique voices.
“I feel like we all come from different backgrounds,” Terry said. “It is really important for First American women to have a voice here, but it is also really good just to connect with other women on a personal and a cultural level.”
For more information about Gamma Delta Pi, visit their Facebook page, Gamma Delta Pi – East Central University or follow them on Instagram, @gammadeltapi.ecu. These social platforms are the best places to learn about their upcoming events, fundraisers and recruitment activities.
“We have a lot of goals for ECU, but also for the community,” Terry said. “And if there’s a need for us to come talk to schools, please reach out, because we are more than happy to do so.”