Native ChocTalk

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...

Listeners, before I share about today’s episode, I have a question for you. Will you be in Chicago, November 7th or 8th of 2023? I’ll be singing Choctaw hymns and narrating at a Chickasaw concert – Pa I Sha - composed by none other than Chickasaw Composer, Violinist, and Artistic Director, Brandi Berry Benson! Join us during Native American Heritage Month, on November 8th at 7:00pm at the Epiphany...

According to Statistica, “The child abuse rate in the United States is highest among American Indian or Alaska Native victims with a rate of 15.2 cases per 1,000 children. It is most common among children between two to five years of age.” Now imagine that child being brave enough to come forward to share about her abuse. The process from this point is typically strenuous. Both law enforcement and...

Part 1 of 2 Imagine an afterlife where your people sing beautiful “bird songs” to you, as you venture into the next world to comfort you along your journey. And imagine over the decades, these beautiful bird songs – the songs of the Kumeyaay people – slowly drifting away, at risk to be forgotten over time. My guest, Chris Alvarado, San Pasqual iPai Kumeyaay Nation and Founder, and President of The...

Part 2 of 2 Imagine an afterlife where your people sing beautiful “bird songs” to you, as you venture into the next world to comfort you along your journey. And imagine over the decades, these beautiful bird songs – the songs of the Kumeyaay people – slowly drifting away, at risk to be forgotten over time. My guest, Chris Alvarado, San Pasqual iPai Kumeyaay Nation and Founder, and President of The...

Part 2 of 2 At one time, they inhabited 40,000 square miles within the Appalachian Mountains. But in 1835, 12,000 of their people were gathered and placed into stockades until it was time for their removal away from their homelands. The journey took 6 to 7 months, killing 2,000 of their people on what is now termed “The Trail of Tears”. Today, they are the largest tribe in the United States, with...

Part 1 of 2 At one time, they inhabited 40,000 square miles within the Appalachian Mountains. But in 1835, 12,000 of their people were gathered and placed into stockades until it was time for their removal away from their homelands. The journey took 6 to 7 months, killing 2,000 of their people on what is now termed “The Trail of Tears”. Today, they are the largest tribe in the United States, with...

It’s one of the largest all-Native run events in the nation - it’s Anadarko, Oklahoma’s 88th Annual American Indian Exposition, August 2nd-5th, 2023 and YOU are invited! Check out the event’s Facebook here Anadarko Indian Exposition 1935: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066746045395&sk=photos In this episode, I speak with Expo leaders, Tanner Mahseet (Apache), President and Bambi Allen...

It’s STORY TIME, y’all! This lengthy 3-part series with Author, W. Michael Farmer is perfect to tune into while you’re taking a road trip or working in the yard or just listening when you can. Welcome to part 3 of this episode with Author, W. Michael Farmer about the story of the Mescalero Apache, Yellow Boy. Listeners, please be aware that today’s episode does include violent content, so discreti...

It’s STORY TIME, y’all! This lengthy 3-part series with Author, W. Michael Farmer is perfect to tune into while you’re taking a road trip or working in the yard or just listening when you can. Welcome to part 2 of this episode with Author, W. Michael Farmer about the story of the Mescalero Apache, Yellow Boy. Listeners, please be aware that today’s episode does include violent content, so discreti...

It’s STORY TIME, y’all! This lengthy 3-part series with Author, W. Michael Farmer is perfect to tune into while you’re taking a road trip or working in the yard or just listening when you can. “You are stronger than we. We have fought you so long as we had rifles and powder, but your arms are better than ours. Give us like weapons and turn us loose, we will fight you again; but we are worn-out; we...

Since I launched Native ChocTalk, my goal was and still is “preservation” – the preservation of our ancestral stories, history, traditions and culture. I encourage every age group to do so! Join me in supporting young Native Comedian and Photographer, Aaliyah (Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas) and her mamma (also a Photographer), Victoria (Choctaw). Young Aaliyah shares not only about her endeavor...

I hope you’ll enjoy part 2 of 2 of my interview with Carolee Maxwell! She held the paperwork in her hand, a tissue in the other. This information sat in a folder that hadn’t been opened since 1917. Its contents would unlock the answers to a past long gone, but not forgotten. And it would forever change the way she looked at the life of her grandpa – her beloved Papa. Meet Carolee Maxwell, Chickasa...

PART 1 of 2 She held the paperwork in her hand, a tissue in the other. The information had sat in a folder, unopened since 1917. Its contents would unlock the answers to a past long gone, but not forgotten. And it would forever change the way she looked at the life of her grandpa – her beloved Papa. Meet Carolee Maxwell, Chickasaw & Choctaw Author of “Touched by Greatness, from Indian Territory to...

Ovid Vickers, the late English instructor from Decatur, Mississippi, wrote, “When a list of influential Choctaw people is compiled, Simpson Tubby…preacher, teacher, and storyteller, will without a question be among them.” Steven Oklatubbee, the fifth great grandson of the great Choctaw Chief, Mushulatubbee, spoke to us in Season 2 about his ancestral stories. And now he’s here to share the fascina...

On the beautiful island of Parksville, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada you’ll find yourself surrounded by breathtaking sandy beaches and the magnificent Insular Mountains. You’ll also find a fierce bear hunter named Naukwe (Noon Day Woman), who I know as Brittney Musgrave. But Brittney, who is Wasauksing, Ojibway and Cree, doesn’t hunt for sport. She, like her ancestors before her,...

Since season 2, I’ve had the pleasure of following the journey of Shell Shaker, a Chickasaw Opera by Composer, Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate. This opera is still being composed, and will be the very first of its kind. Even the libretto is in Chickasaw, and every inch of the production, composition, costuming, etc. is led by Native Americans. The premier date has been changed and the new date will be...

“What might the first World Indigenous Skyworld Space Stations look like? We think in circles with no beginning or end. We go into space as a human right and right of self-determination. We go into space for development, exploration, and cultural preservation.” These are the words and the vision of my guest, Dan Hawk of the Oneida Nation, and Principal Scientist at United First Nations Planetary D...

I’m incredibly proud to be a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. But I’m even prouder when I reach out to our Chief and he’s willing to share with us about the latest goals and the future of our tribe! Chief Gary Batton and I met in Hugo, Oklahoma to talk about: • This year’s election • Future plans for the tribe • Upcoming capital projects • Choctaw Nation’s Cultural goals • Conversations w...

In season 2, episode 18, I got together with Megan Baker from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Historic Preservation Department. We talked through her extensive work in tracing the history of our Choctaw people, decade by decade, in monthly articles of the Iti Fabvssa in our Choctaw paper called Biskinik. Back by popular demand, and here to share more insights about our Choctaw history - welcome bac...

I grew up in Hog Creek, which is approximately 5 mile west of Anadarko, Oklahoma. This is a virtually unknown historical place to the general public, but to the locals, it’s filled with Kiowa history. Among many of those in the area whose ancestors roamed these lands is a well-known, tight-knit and beloved family - the Wares. In this episode, I had a casual visit with our family friend, Lance Ware...

Scalding hot rocks were placed in the center of the dirt floor. Water was poured onto the rocks, inviting a heavy steam that permeated throughout, increasing our heart rates, and causing a profuse sweat. We came for a cleansing of our bodies, minds and souls, the rejuvenation of our spirits, and a deeper connection with our Creator. This was a Christian-based sweat, and we prayed about each other’...

In this 3rd and final part of this episode with my guest, Dodie Rogers (Choctaw), adopted daughter of the legendary “King of the Cowboys”, Roy Rogers (also Choctaw) and his talented wife, Dale Evans, you’ll hear about: Roy Rogers’ horse, Trigger who knew 150 tricks and starred in over 100 movies! What it was like to grow up with a large family and lots of animals on the Evans farm Those last preci...

Have you ever heard the famous song, “Happy Trails to You”? Do you know who wrote and performed it? In part one of this episode, we met the lovely Dodie Rogers (Choctaw), adopted daughter of the legendary “King of the Cowboys”, Roy Rogers (also Choctaw) and his talented wife, Dale Evans, who wrote the aforementioned song. Together they performed “Happy Trails to You” many times over. Even to this...

The town: Anadarko, Oklahoma. The year: 1967. Hundreds of onlookers, both locals and those from elsewhere (even from around the world) lined the streets of the little town. The 36th annual Indian Expo was to kick off as usual, with a parade featuring Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Fort Sill Apache, Ponca, Pawnee, Delaware, Cheyenne, Arapaho Caddo, Osage, Sac, Fox, Otoe-Missouri, Wichita, and up to 50 ot...