Native ChocTalk

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...

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...