Native ChocTalk

It was early morning as the Choctaw Mississippi families eagerly approached the train. A mother reached for her 3-year-old daughter’s hand to help lift her into the box train, her pudgy toddler fingers grasping tightly as she boarded the steel box on wheels for the very first time. The little girl looked up at her ishki (her mamma), as she asked in her Choctaw tongue, “Are we leaving home?” Her mo...

Become the CEO of “You, Inc.”. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Know that you’re here for a reason and a purpose. These were the words of successful businessowner and CEO of Native Advisory, Lacey Horn when I asked what advice she had for other Native women (and people in general). In this no-holes-barred conversation, Lacey and I discuss: • How even CEOs make mistakes • The pitfalls, lessons-l...

For centuries, he provided nourishment for hundreds of families. And for countless winters, his wooly coat sheltered them from the freezing, bitter winds. He’s the American Bison. And as this beautiful creature was nearly erased from the earth, he still survived and carried on in all his majesty, just as our Choctaw people also live on. My guests, Amy and Ian Thompson of Nan Awaya Homestead are so...

For centuries, he provided nourishment for hundreds of families. And for countless winters, his wooly coat sheltered them from the freezing, bitter winds. He’s the American Bison. And as this beautiful creature was nearly erased from the earth, he still survived and carried on in all his majesty, just as our Choctaw people also live on. My guests, Amy and Ian Thompson of Nan Awaya Homestead are so...

I recently caught up with Dr. Art Martinez from the Chumesh Tribe while he was at the Washoe Tribal Concessions at the beautiful Meeks Bay at Lake Tahoe. Dr. Martinez is a Trauma Specialist, and Clinical Psychologist. He’s also the Co-Director for the Center for Native Child and Family Resilience and more. Dr. Martinez has spent his career promoting the healing of historical trauma within our Amer...

They were forbidden to practice their culture and to speak in their Native tongue. And yet, in World War I, that very language would surprise the Germans and ultimately contribute to victory! Many know of the Navajo Code Talkers, but what most don’t realize is that in World War I, it was the Choctaw who were the first to begin Code Talking. I come to you today from the beautiful First Americans Mu...

Native ChocTalk Presents: Season 3, Episode 2: “Say Her Name: Karissa Hodge (Choctaw & Caddo) on Our Missing Murdered Indigenous Women–Chahta” A word of warning about today’s content – I’ll be speaking with Karissa Hodge, President and Founder of Missing Murdered Indigenous Women-Chahta. Although you’ll hear stories that are disturbing, they’re necessary to be told, in hopes that the missing may b...

It was the 1800s and the days of the old wild west. As more settlers inhabited our Choctaw peoples’ lands in Mississippi and later Indian Territory, laws had to be put in place to attempt to tame the incoming unknowns. But who would enforce these rules on Native lands? Every story needs a hero, and in today’s episode, you’ll hear about our brave Choctaw heroes who rode through the pine wood forest...

He was raised in a home with no electricity and no running water on his family’s Indian allotment land in western Oklahoma – out where that bright red dirt could both stain your clothes and, in some ways, stir that Okie pride. From red dirt, ancient village country living to Mechanical Engineer specializing in aerodynamics, my guest’s stories on this last episode of Season 2 do not disappoint! I’d...

The Trail of Tears. It’s the story of heartbreak and sorrow for those who didn’t survive, as well as for those who did. And for us as descendants of the survivors, when we hear the phrase, “Trail of Tears” we are immediately taken to a place of mourning for those who suffered. As much as there’s acknowledgement of this tragedy, there’s also hope and inspiration. This is truly the Choctaw way. Ther...

Last September, I stopped by Choctaw Nation Headquarters and enjoyed my conversation with Robert Baker, who contributes to our Choctaw language department on a daily basis. In this episode with Robert, you’ll hear about: • His great great grandfather, Ben Carterby, a Code Talker in World War 1 • How Choctaws played a big part in the War of 1812 • Robert’s war reenactments • His experience playing...

Most people have heard about the Trail of Tears, or what’s called the “Removal”, in which our Indigenous people were removed from their lands starting in the early 1800s and were relocated to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). The Choctaw were the very first to make the trek from Mississippi to their new home. The journey was deadly for some. Many of our people passed away due to harsh weather condi...

Most people have heard about the Trail of Tears, or what’s called the “Removal”, in which our Indigenous people were removed from their lands starting in the early 1800s and were relocated to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). The Choctaw were the very first to make the trek from Mississippi to their new home. The journey was deadly for some. Many of our people passed away due to harsh weather condi...

I stopped by Riverside Indian School in my hometown, Anadarko, Oklahoma last summer to hang out with my friend, Terry Ware and what a great conversation we had! This is a must-listen, dear listeners as you’ll have the pleasure of hearing: • Terry singing a Kiowa hymn and the happy birthday song in Kiowa • About Riverside Indian School’s upcoming 150-year celebration in May of 2022! • The history o...

There was something comforting about the familiar scent of cedar that permeated from the wood burning stove inside the hogan each evening (“hogan” being the traditional home for the Navajo, in this case built of wood, with a dirt floor). The stove had 3 vents. And little sleepy James would watch the shadows from the vents on the walls, like fire dancing. As his heavy eyelids would slowly cover his...

There are many mysteries out there - many that will never be solved. And some mysteries are so frustrating, they’ll leave a gap in your soul. One of those such puzzles in life is that of we American Indians trying to figure out the stories and history of our ancestors. Most of our history is told and passed down by oral tradition. So centuries of our own stories have never be heard as they’ve fade...

The year was 1830. Up to 6,000 Choctaws gathered each day. White observers also decided to come along. Cattle was butchered to feed the masses, supplies were set up in tents and all were anxious to observe what was to come. Gambling tables were provided - an activity that opened the door to brawls. Tables were knocked over amongst the fights and many were bullied by trigger-happy troublemakers. On...

Enchanting historic roads wind through the miles of evergreen trees in the Kiamichi Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma. The shaky autumn leaves tinted in colors of gold and rust drift to the earth with the Oklahoma wind, whispering the tales of those who have come and gone. The Caddo Indians would be pushed out of their region by those Choctaw who had survived the Trail of Tears, removed from thei...

I was recently asked to speak with some inspiring 6th through 12th graders - young ladies of an Oklahoma Native American boarding school that’s near and dear to my heart. After eating dinner with these intelligent (and fun) gals, many of them eager for their next steps and about to head into the adult world, I talked about Women’s History Month and what it means for us as Native American women. “H...

“Be proud of who you are because your existence is a resistance against cultural genocide.” - Jake Tiger, Seminole He’s the Seminole from Seminole, Oklahoma who works for the Seminole Nation. Can he even get more Seminole? Meet Jake Tiger, y’all! In addition to being a Seminole Jake is also: • A subject matter expert on and creates/sews/crafts Seminole textiles and traditional garments: o Did you...

“Chickasaw legend tells of a girl who is teased by other children and named Loksi’—Turtle—for her slowness. Upon the counsel of a river, she goes to live in the forest. There, she finds hospitality among the turtle people. One day, the god of the turtles asks her to tell her fellow humans to treat turtles with respect and kindness, and gives her a gift of turtle shells filled with pebbles and seed...

Although she’s Choctaw, my guest, Nancy Tecumseh Mason is immersed within her husband and children’s tribe (Muscogee Nation). And for years now, Nancy has relentlessly poured her time and energy into supporting the youth of the tribe as Director of the Mvskoke Nation Youth Services. In this episode, you’ll hear about Mvskoke Nation Youth Services: • This program is created by youth for youth, and...

Prior to non-Natives settling in what is now the United States, Native American spirituality had solidified over centuries, differing within each tribe. That spirituality included rituals and inner meditations around nature, harmony, community and more. But it wasn’t long after the settlers arrived that missionaries felt called (or were sometimes appointed) to spread the gospel of Jesus to the Ind...

“Despite our wealth, our lives were cheap.  - Jim Gray discussing his Osage people in “Indian Country Today” magazine, Sept 13, 2019 On February 6th, 1923, hunters came upon a Buick that had crashed into a slope in Fairfax, Oklahoma. The 40-year-old driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, a bullet in the back of his head. He was an Osage man, lured into a dangerous trap by a white man -...

“Despite our wealth, our lives were cheap. - Jim Gray discussing his Osage people in “Indian Country Today” magazine, Sept 13, 2019 On February 6th, 1923, hunters came upon a Buick that had crashed into a slope in Fairfax, Oklahoma. The 40-year-old driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, a bullet in the back of his head. He was an Osage man, lured into a dangerous trap by a white man - s...