Hidden Heritage

Welcome to this special episode of Hidden Heritage, where host Paul LaRoche engages in a phone interview with Garan Coons, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, cultural role model, and Brulé dancer. Join us as we hear about Garan's rich heritage, his educational journey, and his profound impact on preserving Native American culture. Garan shares his experiences growing up in Winnebago, the...

Join us in this inspiring story of a professor, entrepreneur, and enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Based in Vermilion, South Dakota, she shares her journey from a young, crafty 4-H enthusiast to a successful businesswoman and academic. Discover how her early passion for beadwork and quilting evolved into a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to write her first business plan at...

In this episode of Hidden Heritage we explore the traditional methods of drum-making, the importance of respect and rituals surrounding the drum, and the diverse perspectives from various tribes. The episode features visits to a drum-making company and interviews with tribal members who share their knowledge and stories about the drum's role in ceremonies and everyday life. Join us as we uncover t...

This episode chronicles the inspiring story of Henry Red Cloud, a modern-day Lakota warrior and direct descendant of Chief Red Cloud. Born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Henry is leading efforts in renewable energy and sustainable building projects through his organization, Red Cloud Renewable. His innovative work aims to bring energy independence and economic development to American Indian...

Hello, I'm Paul LaRouche. Thank you for joining us this week on Hidden Heritage. This episode takes you back 500 years to the arrival of Europeans in America, the Great Westward Expansion, and finally, the closing of the frontier on the Northern Plains. Meet Lakota elder Jerome Kills Small. Jerome shares his rich heritage and upbringing within the Pine Ridge Oglala Nation. Raised by elders who liv...

In this compelling episode, Paul LaRoche unveils the inspiring life of Father Donald A. Doll, an internationally acclaimed Jesuit priest and photographer. Father Don's journey began in 1962 at the St. Francis Mission School on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, where he discovered his passion for photography. His work, which captures the elegant and compassionate stories of marginalized communi...

Paul LaRoche shares his profound journey of discovery, from being adopted away from his Native American heritage to reconnecting with his biological Lakota family. Raised in a middle-class farming community, Paul's story unfolds as he learns about his true identity and the rich cultural legacy that was hidden from him. In this episode, Paul discovers the inspiring work of the Cherokee National You...

Join us as we explore the rich and vibrant stories of the Lakota people through the lens of Brulé, a band that seamlessly blends powerful music and deep cultural narratives. In this episode, we journey into the history and meaning behind the name Brulé, the significance of the eagle feather, and the unique challenges and triumphs of bringing traditional Lakota music to modern audiences. Discover h...

During season one of Hidden Heritage, we filmed an episode called Conversations with the Elders. It was so popular that we immediately went to work meeting with more elders. In this episode of Hidden Heritage, we are going to visit with Wilson Roberts, a Choctaw elder from Oklahoma. Because most of the elders that we spoke with were still living during the early 1900s. Many of their life stories c...

Join Paul LaRoche, host of RFD-TV's "Hidden Heritage," on a captivating journey as he delves into the contemporary lives and cultures of Native American tribes in the new series "One Nation: The Tribes of North America." From the creation of a stunning float for the Tournament of Roses Parade to exploring the diverse traditions and modern-day challenges of over 550 federally recognized tribes, thi...

Join Paul LaRoche as he shares the inspiring story of Moses Brings Plenty, a member of the Oglala Sioux tribal nation. Moses, an activist, speaker, spiritual leader, musician, actor (Yellowstone Series), and the Director of Rangeland Relations for the CANA Foundation, has dedicated his life to saving wild horses and fostering a deeper connection between humans and the environment. In this episode,...

In this week's episode of Hidden Heritage, we take a fascinating journey to Blood Run, a site of early American Indian habitation located in southeast South Dakota, near Sioux Falls. Despite its historical significance, Blood Run remains relatively unknown to many. Join us as we uncover the rich history and cultural importance of this landmark. Blood Run, straddling the Big Sioux River on the Iowa...

Join Paul LaRoche on a personal journey of rediscovery.  In this episode of "Hidden Heritage," we explore the profound and beautiful art of the Lakota people. Travel with us to Prairie Edge, a unique venue in Rapid City, South Dakota, where the legacy of Northern Plains Indian art is preserved and showcased. Learn about the passionate efforts of Ray and Rita Hillenbrand in creating a space that ho...

Paul LaRoche, founder of the contemporary Native American music group Brulé, shares the inspiring story behind their Mount Rushmore Concert for Reconciliation of the Cultures. This episode, part 2, delves into the challenges and triumphs of organizing the largest concert of their 30-year journey, aimed at promoting unity and healing between cultures. Discover how Brulé's unique blend of music and...

Welcome to Hidden Heritage, stories from across Native America. In this special Father's Day episode, host Paul LaRoche talks about the traditional role of fathers in American Indian culture, sharing personal insights and historical perspectives. Discover how the family unit on many Native American Indian Reservations differs from mainstream America, emphasizing communal child-rearing and the prof...

Join Paul LaRouche and the band Brule as they embark on their most ambitious and heartfelt project yet: the Concert for Reconciliation of the Cultures at Mount Rushmore. This 2-part episode explores the rich history of the Black Hills, a sacred place for many Native American tribes, and explores the journey of bringing two worlds together through the power of music. Discover the significance of th...

Welcome to another episode of Hidden Heritage. In this special edition, Paul LaRoche shares an archival interview from 2017 where he discusses the roots and evolution of Brulé, his renowned musical project. Discover the heartfelt journey of Paul, a Native American adoptee, as he reconnects with his heritage and blends mainstream American rock with traditional Native American rhythms. Learn about P...

Join us on Hidden Heritage as we travel to Green Grass, South Dakota, for a rare interview with Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota nations. Discover the intricate balance between traditional and contemporary tribal leadership and the responsibilities carried by those recognized as Chiefs in modern times. Arvol Looking horse, the 19th generation keeper of th...

In this episode of Hidden Heritage we will hear from the late Lakota spiritual leader, Floyd Leonard Hand (1939 – 2019). He was born in a cabin along the banks of White Clay Creek on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of SD. Floyd's life was dedicated to preserving the Lakota traditional way of life and advocating for Native rights. He was a proud member of the American Indian Movement and gained s...

Join Paul LaRoche as he takes you on a  personal journey in "Growing up in Worthington, The Lost Birds." This episode explores the heartwarming and complex stories of adoption, heritage, and identity. Paul shares his own story of being adopted at birth and later reconnecting with his biological Lakota family. He introduces his special guest, Tammy Makram, Director of the Worthington Memorial Audit...

Paul LaRoche and his group Brulé share this touching Memorial Day Tribute as they have many times over the years.   In setting up this tribute Paul relates this story as told to him during a chance encounter with a veteran American Indian elder.  "He said, Paul, today there are over 550 recognized tribes, and if we brought them all together for just a moment, we'd still be the smallest of the mino...

Join us this week on Hidden Heritage as we visit St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. This emotional episode follows the host's journey of discovering his true Lakota heritage after being adopted at birth and raised in a white middle-class farming community in Minnesota. The story takes a poignant turn as he revisits the school that played a significant, yet unknown, role in hi...

In this archival radio interview with Earth Songs (modern indigenous music), host Alexis Salih sits down with Paul LaRoche, the founder of the American Indian group, Brulé. LaRoche candidly shares his life journey, from being a Native American child adopted by a non-indigenous family in Southwest Minnesota to his powerful and inspiring reunion with his true heritage, a moment that shaped his unmis...

In this week's episode of Hidden Heritage, we journey towards the sacred lands of Bear Butte, South Dakota, a place of mystical power revered by the American Indian, especially the Lakota tribe. Listen as we uncover the intriguing history and profound spiritual significance of this timeless natural monument, historically used for the Hanbleceya or Vision Quest, one of the oldest Lakota sacred cere...

In our latest episode of Hidden Heritage, we divert our focus towards a topic of significance - the often-misunderstood representation of American Indians in Hollywood. Our guest for this episode is Sonny Skyhawk, an accomplished Native American filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, and actor, who has lent his talent to over 60 films and 14 television shows, including the iconic TV Western series Bon...