Native ChocTalk

Did you know that at one time, “Mexican bandits” road through Oklahoma’s Choctaw country and tried to take down the tribe? The Choctaws banded together and killed their enemies, allowing their bodies to float down the river. I once spoke to my guest, Solomon Tonihka, Choctaw, about this and other stories his family had passed down over time, one ancestor to another, the traditional oral way that N...

WARNING: Some of the stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in this episode may be disturbing for some listeners so please be advised. “Don’t let anyone tell you you’re just a stupid little Indian girl”, was the advice her father gave her many times over. And later these words would run through her mind as she had to muster strength, determination and sheer will power to survive and esc...

He’s the Chippewa from Turtle Mountain Reservation and his name means “King of the Badlands”. He’s LeRoy Malaterre and he stays busy - from story telling to pow wow dancing and even to ballroom dancing. Hear LeRoy’s views on: • How the movies shaped the way the world viewed Native Americans • Why his Metis language was called a “nasty” language • How his job supported his efforts for sobriety afte...

They carried our Choctaw people and supplies across hundreds of miles from Mississippi to Indian Territory. Loyal to the end, very few lived through the the rigorous 10-mile per day journey, due to lack of food, harsh weather conditions and fatigue. They are the unsung heroes of the Trail of Tears – the Choctaw ponies. What became of the few ponies that did survive? Find out more from my guest who...

He left Wayne, Oklahoma a Choctaw farm boy and returned a fighter pilot hero. There was an air of strength and confidence about him, and he was highly respected by his community. Even generations later, people still remember “Shof” and his good reputation. (They also know him as the man who flew a plane down Main Street in Wayne, Oklahoma.) This episode of Native ChocTalk is extremely personal to...

You’ll be moved by Native ChocTalk’s newest episodes (Parts 1 and 2), “Monroe Tsatoke, Descendent of Hunting Horse, a Code Talker & The Kiowa 5”: Monroe Tsatoke, Kiowa Join us as we discuss: • Monroe’s time as both a student and teacher at Riverside Indian School • His ancestor’s stories of Fort Sill Indian School • A brave Kiowa Code Talker • The story of a multi-tribal snowball fight • Hear abou...

Monroe Tsatoke shares a prayer in Kiowa and English.

You’ll be moved by Native ChocTalk’s newest episodes (Parts 1 and 2), “Monroe Tsatoke, Descendent of Hunting Horse, a Code Talker & The Kiowa 5”: Monroe Tsatoke, Kiowa Join us as we discuss: • Monroe’s time as both a student and teacher at Riverside Indian School • His ancestor’s stories of Fort Sill Indian School • A brave Kiowa Code Talker • The story of a multi-tribal snowball fight • Hear abou...

This week’s episode of Native ChocTalk is a MUST LISTEN, y’all. Rance Weryackwe and I spent part of our time recording at the University of Oklahoma campus… take a listen for the following topics: • How Comanche hunting grounds and buffalo wallows were a significant consideration when building the University of Oklahoma campus • Hear Rance sing a cheerful Comanche Hymn (about a 3rd of the way thro...

In this week’s episode, I’m coming to you from the stunning Choctaw Headquarters in Durant, Oklahoma where I had the pleasure of interviewing our Chief of the Choctaw Nation, Gary Batton! Chief Batton shares about some of the tragedies he has faced in his life and how his outlook and faith helped him to become what he is today. And we’ll talk about faith, family and culture – the “Choctaw spirit o...

There’s a much-anticipated movie premiering in 2022 called Killers of the Flower Moon, directed and produced by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio and an entire incredible cast of Native Americans. Listen to this week’s episode of Native ChocTalk where I talk with an extra from the movie, Mike Mushulatubbe Simpson, Choctaw.

It’s our first episode ever, y’all! And I couldn’t be prouder to present to you this highly decorated Comanche and friend, Lonnie Henderson. Lonnie shares about his fascinating ancestral history in this episode, Captured by the Comanche. And because you can’t talk Comanche without mentioning Quanah Parker, we’ll cover some of the important aspects of his life and place in history. And don’t forget...