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 cele...

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 Epip...

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 a...

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 T...

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 T...

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,...

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,...

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 A...

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 disc...