Native ChocTalk

“To the Choctaw proud, ours is the sovereign nation offering opportunities for growth and prosperity.” This is the stated mission of my tribe, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. For the Choctaw, creating opportunities isn’t just about supporting our own people—it’s about uplifting the surrounding communities as well. Sara Seals, Director of Marketing at Choctaw Nation, shares the tribe’s mission to c...

In today’s episode, we proudly celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our men and women who have bravely served our country! My guest, Jackson Weaver, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, shares about his family’s legacy of dedicated servicemen, such as Jackson’s grandpa known as “Chief” to all who knew him and the interesting stories of when he was in U...

In today’s episode, we proudly celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our men and women who have bravely served our country! My guest, Jackson Weaver, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, shares about his family’s legacy of dedicated servicemen, such as Jackson’s grandpa known as “Chief” to all who knew him and the interesting stories of when he was in U...

Part 2 In today’s episode, we proudly celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our men and women who have bravely served our country! My guest, Jackson Weaver, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, shares about his family’s legacy of dedicated servicemen, such as Jackson’s grandpa known as “Chief” to all who knew him and the interesting stories of when he w...

Part 1 In today’s episode, we proudly celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our men and women who have bravely served our country! My guest, Jackson Weaver, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, shares about his family’s legacy of dedicated servicemen, such as Jackson’s grandpa known as “Chief” to all who knew him and the interesting stories of when he w...

This summer, I embarked on a road trip to Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, for our annual Choctaw Labor Day Festival. Nestled among the rolling hills of the Kiamichi Mountains, the event was a vibrant celebration featuring stickball tournaments, frybread, gourd dancing, and Choctaw Village activities. While these cherished traditions always make the journey worthwhile, this year's experience was especially me...

Part 4 It is said that as our ancestors walked the hundreds of miles on the Trail of Tears from their homelands to Indian Territory during The Removal, that singing could be heard echoing through the trees. Those near enough to hear those melodious sounds may have assumed a nearby church service was taking place. What they probably didn’t know at the time was that those singers, young and old, fee...

Part 3 It is said that as our ancestors walked the hundreds of miles on the Trail of Tears from their homelands to Indian Territory during The Removal, that singing could be heard echoing through the trees. Those near enough to hear those melodious sounds may have assumed a nearby church service was taking place. What they probably didn’t know at the time was that those singers, young and old, fee...

Part 2 It is said that as our ancestors walked the hundreds of miles on the Trail of Tears from their homelands to Indian Territory during The Removal, that singing could be heard echoing through the trees. Those near enough to hear those melodious sounds may have assumed a nearby church service was taking place. What they probably didn’t know at the time was that those singers, young and old, fee...

Part 1 It is said that as our ancestors walked the hundreds of miles on the Trail of Tears from their homelands to Indian Territory during The Removal, that singing could be heard echoing through the trees. Those near enough to hear those melodious sounds may have assumed a nearby church service was taking place.    What they probably didn’t know at the time was that those singers, young and old,...

Part 1 For centuries, American Indians carved out a labyrinth of pathways across this land. Spanning hundreds of miles, these trails not only enabled connections among their communities, but also provided access to prime hunting grounds, water and seasonal dwellings. Over time, these well-trodden paths underwent a transformation at the hands of non-Natives, evolving into mail routes, stagecoach li...

Part 2 For centuries, American Indians carved out a labyrinth of pathways across this land. Spanning hundreds of miles, these trails not only enabled connections among their communities, but also provided access to prime hunting grounds, water and seasonal dwellings. Over time, these well-trodden paths underwent a transformation at the hands of non-Natives, evolving into mail routes, stagecoach li...

Part 3 They called her “savage”. She was a tough, independent and widowed single mother, attempting to succeed during a time when women were just starting to have a voice (although many Native women were still very much unheard). Join me and my guest, Nicolette Blount as she delves into the stories of her great grandmother, Wanda Savage, a 1920s Chickasaw sharpshooter, stunt woman, dancer and sile...

Part 2 They called her “savage” and she was a tough, independent and widowed single mother, attempting to succeed during a time when women were just starting to have a voice (although many Native women were still very much unheard). Join me and my guest, Nicolette Blount as she delves into the stories of her great grandmother, Wanda Savage, a 1920s Chickasaw sharpshooter, stunt woman, dancer and s...

They called her “savage” and she was a tough, independent and widowed single mother, attempting to succeed during a time when women were just starting to have a voice (although many Native women were still very much unheard). Join me and my guest, Nicolette Blount as she delves into the stories of her great grandmother, Wanda Savage, a 1920s Chickasaw sharpshooter, stunt woman, dancer and silent f...

In part 4 of this 4-part series, you’ll step into the rich history, cultural heritage and stories of Alaska's Alutiiq tribe, with my guest, Scott Larionoff (Alutiiq). There’s more to Alaska than just the breathtaking landscapes of the Last Frontier. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper, to learn about distant echoes – the stories – of the Alutiiq people of the past and those who are descendants of t...

In part 3 of this 4-part series, you’ll step into the rich history, cultural heritage and stories of Alaska's Alutiiq tribe, with my guest, Scott Larionoff (Alutiiq). There’s more to Alaska than just the breathtaking landscapes of the Last Frontier. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper, to learn about distant echoes – the stories – of the Alutiiq people of the past and those who are descendants of t...

In part 2 of this 4-part series, you’ll step into the rich history, cultural heritage and stories of Alaska's Alutiiq tribe, with my guest, Scott Larionoff (Alutiiq). There’s more to Alaska than just the breathtaking landscapes of the Last Frontier. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper, to learn about distant echoes – the stories – of the Alutiiq people of the past and those who are descendants of t...

In part 1 of this 4-part series, you’ll step into the rich history, cultural heritage and stories of Alaska's Alutiiq tribe, with my guest, Scott Larionoff (Alutiiq). There’s more to Alaska than just the breathtaking landscapes of the Last Frontier. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper, to learn about distant echoes – the stories – of the Alutiiq people of the past and those who are descendants of t...

“What do some of the most prominent and successful Indigenous artists, leaders and professors have in common? They aren’t Indigenous. There are hundreds of cases of Indigenous identity fraud that we know about, and likely thousands that we do not. So why do these so-called “pretendians” do it? How do they pull it off? And what happens when they are exposed?” (From the Pretendians Podcast Descripti...

“What do some of the most prominent and successful Indigenous artists, leaders and professors have in common? They aren’t Indigenous. There are hundreds of cases of Indigenous identity fraud that we know about, and likely thousands that we do not. So why do these so-called “pretendians” do it? How do they pull it off? And what happens when they are exposed?” (From the Pretendians Podcast Descripti...

Welcome to Native ChocTalk’s Season 7! In this 2-part series, I’d like to start to kick off the season by paying tribute to those who are the life blood of our country - farmers. And in this case, a Chickasaw one. Farmers play an indispensable role in this great country, providing the necessary elements of our sustenance and wellbeing. Their work begins long before the sun rises and often extends...

Welcome to Native ChocTalk’s Season 7! In the final part of this 2-part series, I’d like to kick off the season by paying tribute to those who are the life blood of our country - farmers. And in this case, a Chickasaw one. Farmers play an indispensable role in this great country, providing the necessary elements of our sustenance and wellbeing. Their work begins long before the sun rises and often...

Part 2 of 2 In the heart of our journey, where tales of the past and tradition intertwine with preservation, we stand on the cusp of a milestone today—a celebration of 100 stories of those who came before us here on Native ChocTalk, A Podcast by Natives for All. Welcome, dear listeners, to a momentous occasion—a testament to the power of storytelling, to the resilience of culture, and to the unwav...

Part 1 of 2 In the heart of our journey, where tales of the past and tradition intertwine with preservation, we stand on the cusp of a milestone today—a celebration of 100 stories of those who came before us here on Native ChocTalk, A Podcast by Natives for All. Welcome, dear listeners, to a momentous occasion—a testament to the power of storytelling, to the resilience of culture, and to the unwav...