Native ChocTalk

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...

Silent and somber, the two boys stood before the doorstep, memories flooding their minds like a rushing river. They recalled the gentle cadence of their mother's voice as she paused to listen to the whippoorwills' melodies in the trees. Each note seemed to echo the warmth of her presence, now painfully absent. Their thoughts drifted to the countless afternoons spent playing in the sweltering heat,...

His name is Barry Friedman and he’s been collecting supplying 100-year-old Pendletons since 1969. In fact, he was the supplier of 60 period Pendleton blankets for the movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon”. Although Barry isn’t a Pendleton employee, he is the vintage blanket consultant to Pendleton Woolen Mills, and Ralph Lauren himself has been a customer of Barry’s for over 30 years. He also sells...

His name is Barry Friedman and he’s been collecting supplying 100-year-old Pendletons since 1969. In fact, he was the supplier of 60 period Pendleton for the movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon”. Although Barry isn’t a Pendleton employee, he is the vintage blanket consultant to Pendleton Woolen Mills, and Ralph Lauren himself has been a customer of Barry’s for over 30 years. He also sells museum qu...

When I started Native ChocTalk, my goal was to support others in preserving their Native American ancestral stories. Some of us heard our families telling the accounts of those who came before us, but without preservation, many of those stories are now dust in the wind. I’m proud of my guest and friend, Stanford Lake (Diné) who agreed to share some Navajo history and ancestral stories with us, and...

When I started Native ChocTalk, my goal was to support others in preserving their Native American ancestral stories. Some of us heard our families telling the accounts of those who came before us, but without preservation, many of those stories are now dust in the wind. I’m proud of my guest and friend, Stanford Lake (Diné) who agreed to share some Navajo history and ancestral stories with us, and...

They bravely raised their Winchester rifles, aiming smack dab at the lawlessness of the wild west. Meet the Turnbulls – a legendary Choctaw family who did their part to create a safer Indian Territory for their families. Here to tell us more about these vigilantes is their descendant, Bobby Bulls (Choctaw), coming to you from the Texas panhandle where many of his ancestors once roamed. In this epi...

In this Native ChocTalk story-time, Author and Major James D. Brewer (retired), shares about his historical fiction book, “Blood on the Crossties: The Florida Chautauqua Murders (A Choctaw Parker Mystery/Adventure)”. In this episode, you’ll learn about the emergence of the railroad and its history, the days of cowboys and gambling (and the game of Faro). Culminating alongside the expansion of the...

“When all the tribes find their languages and their culture, that’s when all the healing will begin. And then all the generations will be in a better place.” - Solomon Little Owl (Crow) Listeners, I’m proud to present to you, my friend, Solomon Little Owl who shares fascinating stories about his family, the Crow people, and his own incredible journey! In this 2-part episode, you’ll learn about: •...

“When all the tribes find their languages and their culture, that’s when all the healing will begin. And then all the generations will be in a better place.” - Solomon Little Owl (Crow) Listeners, I’m proud to present to you, my friend, Solomon Little Owl who shares fascinating stories about his family, the Crow people, and his own incredible journey! In this 2-part episode, you’ll learn about: •...

History may be in the past, but there are many women today who are truly history in the making! In the spirit of Women’s History Month, my guest, Erin Pendleton and I wanted to share a bit of inspiration. Not only is Erin building her career as a post-producer for Amazon Brand Social, she’s also shedding light on the topic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. And as a rape advocate, she uses...

I hope you’ll enjoy the final episode of this 5-part series on the most requested topic from my listeners – The Code Talkers. Meet scholar and Anthropologist, Dr. William Meadows, Professor at Missouri State University who shares about the groundbreaking research detailed in his book, “The First Code Talkers, Native American Communicators of World War I”. Get ready to experience a mix of oral hist...

I hope you’ll enjoy episode 5 of this 5-part series on the most requested topic from my listeners – The Code Talkers. Meet scholar and Anthropologist, Dr. William Meadows, Professor at Missouri State University who shares about the groundbreaking research detailed in his book, “The First Code Talkers, Native American Communicators of World War I”. Get ready to experience a mix of oral history, ind...

I hope you’ll enjoy episode 3 of this 5-part series on the most requested topic from my listeners – The Code Talkers. Meet scholar and Anthropologist, Dr. William Meadows, Professor at Missouri State University who shares about the groundbreaking research detailed in his book, “The First Code Talkers, Native American Communicators of World War I”. Get ready to experience a mix of oral history, ind...

I hope you’ll enjoy episode 2 of this 5-part series on the most requested topic from my listeners – The Code Talkers. Meet scholar and Anthropologist, Dr. William Meadows, Professor at Missouri State University who shares about the groundbreaking research detailed in his book, “The First Code Talkers, Native American Communicators of World War I”. Get ready to experience a mix of oral history, ind...

We kick off our first episode of season 6 with a 5-part series on the most requested topic from my listeners – The Code Talkers. Meet scholar and Anthropologist, Dr. William Meadows, Professor at Missouri State University who shares about the groundbreaking research detailed in his book, “The First Code Talkers, Native American Communicators of World War I”. Get ready to experience a mix of oral h...

Last year was the 175th anniversary of the Irish gift*, in which the Choctaw people donated money to the Irish during the potato famine. This November, we once again honor the spirit of giving, with my Choctaw guest, Sam Guerrero Stitt! In parts 1 and 2 of this episode, you’ll hear about: • Sam’s ancestral stories, including his ties to the Irish • Sam’s Eternal Heart sculpture in Oklahoma will ce...