Native ChocTalk

S8, E8 Part 2: Amy Lemmer (Choctaw) and The Mystery of Adam Wilkins, Indian Police

It started with a murder...but what followed was silence. And for one Choctaw family, that silence lasted for generations.

 

In this gripping two-part series, we dive into a mystery that stretches across time - a broken bloodline, a forgotten story, and the journey to uncover the truth. It begins with the unsolved killing of Adam Wilkins, who served as a Choctaw Indian Police and interpreter — and the great-grandfather of my guest, Amy Lemmer.

 

Still, as we’ve seen in true Choctaw fashion, this isn’t just a story about loss - it’s about legacy. Because Amy’s family didn’t let that tragedy define them.

 

In the previous series, her father, Woodrow Wilkins, Jr., gave us a window into a nearly 100-year life — telling stories of his childhood, his first picture show, his service in the military, and the deep cultural threads that tie their family to Choctaw history.

 

Now, Amy steps in to pick up where the silence began - and perhaps, where healing begins, too.

 

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast 

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

 

S8, E8, Pt1: Amy Lemmer (Choctaw) and The Mystery of Adam Wilkins, Indian Police

It started with a murder...but what followed was silence. And for one Choctaw family, that silence lasted for generations.

 

In this gripping two-part series, we dive into a mystery that stretches across time - a broken bloodline, a forgotten story, and the journey to uncover the truth. It begins with the unsolved killing of Adam Wilkins, who served as a Choctaw Indian Police and interpreter — and the great-grandfather of my guest, Amy Lemmer.

 

Still, as we’ve seen in true Choctaw fashion, this isn’t just a story about loss - it’s about legacy. Because Amy’s family didn’t let that tragedy define them.

 

In the previous series, her father, Woodrow Wilkins, Jr., gave us a window into a nearly 100-year life — telling stories of his childhood, his first picture show, his service in the military, and the deep cultural threads that tie their family to Choctaw history.

 

Now, Amy steps in to pick up where the silence began - and perhaps, where healing begins, too.

 

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast 

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

S8, E7 Part 3: Wagon Days & War Stories: Woodrow Wilkins, Choctaw Veteran

Part 3

This May, as we celebrate Choctaw veterans, I’m proud to feature Woodrow Wilkins on Native ChocTalk — a proud Choctaw veteran whose life is a blend of service, culture, and resilience.

 

From stories of military service to memories of wagon days, wild onion dinners, Choctaw hymns, flower sack dresses, and watching his first picture show, Woodrow brings the old days to life with heart and humor.

 

But why was Woodrow “kept hidden”? We dig into the surprising backstory behind his journey.

 

This series is a tribute to all our veterans and the beautiful culture they defend.

 

Don’t miss this powerful conversation that weaves together story telling, legacy, laughter, and love for our people.

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast 

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

S8, E7 Part 2: Wagon Days & War Stories: Woodrow Wilkins, Choctaw Veteran

PART 2

This May, as we celebrate Choctaw veterans, I’m proud to feature Woodrow Wilkins on Native ChocTalk — a proud Choctaw veteran whose life is a blend of service, culture, and resilience.

 

From stories of military service to memories of wagon days, wild onion dinners, Choctaw hymns, flower sack dresses, and watching his first picture show, Woodrow brings the old days to life with heart and humor.

 

But why was Woodrow “kept hidden”? We dig into the surprising backstory behind his journey.

 

This series is a tribute to all our veterans and the beautiful culture they defend.

 

Don’t miss this powerful conversation that weaves together story telling, legacy, laughter, and love for our people.

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast 

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

 

 

S8, E7 Part 1: Wagon Days & War Stories: Woodrow Wilkins, Choctaw Veteran

This May, as we celebrate Choctaw veterans, I’m proud to feature Woodrow Wilkins on Native ChocTalk — a proud Choctaw veteran whose life is a blend of service, culture, and resilience.

 

From stories of military service to memories of wagon days, wild onion dinners, Choctaw hymns, flower sack dresses, and watching his first picture show, Woodrow brings the old days to life with heart and humor.

 

But why was Woodrow “kept hidden”? We dig into the surprising backstory behind his journey.

 

This series is a tribute to all our veterans and the beautiful culture they defend.

 

Don’t miss this powerful conversation that weaves together story telling, legacy, laughter, and love for our people.

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast 

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

 

S8, E6, Pt 2 “We Are Still Here”: Honoring our Native Veterans with Teyler Williston, Choctaw

Part 2

This month, for Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month, we honor our Native American veterans.

Did you know our Native people serve at the highest rate per capita of any group in the U.S.?

Yet, Native veterans also face some of the highest suicide rates, often twice the national average. Factors like historical trauma, limited access to culturally relevant care, and the lingering effects of service contribute to this crisis. 

For younger Native male veterans, the risk is especially high, making culturally rooted, community-based support critical. Programs that reconnect veterans to nature, culture, and tradition are helping restore hope.

I sat down with Choctaw veteran Teyler Williston, who continues his family’s legacy of service through his work in Native veteran mental health. 

His story spans generations—from his Choctaw Lighthorseman Grandpa to Teyler’s Air Force Firefighting and his role in the Choctaw Honor Guard.

If you’re a Native Veteran looking for support, please see the following information: https://www.choctawnation.com/services/warrior-wellness/ 

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast 

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

S8, E6, Pt 1 “We Are Still Here”: Honoring our Native Veterans with Teyler Williston, Choctaw

This month, for Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month, we honor our Native American veterans.

Did you know our Native people serve at the highest rate per capita of any group in the U.S.?

Yet, Native veterans also face some of the highest suicide rates, often twice the national average. Factors like historical trauma, limited access to culturally relevant care, and the lingering effects of service contribute to this crisis. 

For younger Native male veterans, the risk is especially high, making culturally rooted, community-based support critical. Programs that reconnect veterans to nature, culture, and tradition are helping restore hope.

I sat down with Choctaw veteran Teyler Williston, who continues his family’s legacy of service through his work in Native veteran mental health. 

His story spans generations—from his Choctaw Lighthorseman Grandpa to Teyler’s Air Force Firefighting and his role in the Choctaw Honor Guard.

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast 

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

S8 E4 Part 6: Honoring Our Choctaw Tvshka (Warriors) – In Memory, Legacy & Fatherhood: Ryan Spring (Choctaw)

Part 6

In Honor of Memorial Day: This series is dedicated to our Native American veterans—our warriors—who have served with honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to protect this land and its people.

With Father’s Day around the corner: We also honor our fathers and our future warriors - our young men.

Long before Choctaws were farmers and business people, they were WARRIORS. Here to talk about this subject is Choctaw Nation's Historic Preservation Department's Ryan Spring.

As We Conclude This Series, We Explore:

• Preparing for Battle—Then and Now
  What traditional preparation looked like, and how its principles still apply today.
  
  

• A Message to Our Young Choctaw Men
  A call to strength, purpose, and pride rooted in identity.
  
  

• What It Truly Means to Be Choctaw
  Embracing servant leadership, cultural pride, and responsibility to community.
  
  

• The Modern Warrior
  Is there still a place for the warrior spirit in today’s world—and how do we carry it forward?
  
  

• From Warriors to Farmers
  The great societal shift: how Choctaw men adapted from warriors to builders of community, and what that transformation means for us now.

Our warrior spirit didn’t end in the 1800s. It didn’t stay buried in old stories or museum displays. It lives on—in the hearts of our Choctaw veterans who’ve served our country. When we honor our veterans, we’re not just thanking them for their service—we’re recognizing a legacy. Yakoke, to all who have served!

S8, E4, Pt 5: Honoring Our Choctaw Tvshka (Warriors) – In Memory, Legacy & Fatherhood: Ryan Spring (Choctaw)

PART 5

In Honor of Memorial Day: This series is dedicated to our Native American veterans—our warriors—who have served with honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to protect this land and its people.

With Father’s Day around the corner: We also honor our fathers and our future warriors - our young men.

Long before Choctaws were farmers and business people, they were WARRIORS. Here to talk about this subject is Choctaw Nation's Historic Preservation Department's Ryan Spring.

In this episode you'll learn about untold Choctaw warrior legends: 

• A Choctaw warrior on foot who outwitted and outran twelve Muscogee horsemen
• The incredible tale of a Choctaw warrior who fell through a ceiling into a room full of sleeping enemies
• Nearly forgotten details of Choctaw valor at the Battle of New Orleans
• The heroic story of 65 Choctaw warriors who helped turn the tide of the War of 1812

These are the stories you’ve probably never heard—until now.

S8, E4, Pt 4: Honoring Our Choctaw Tvshka (Warriors) – In Memory, Legacy & Fatherhood: Ryan Spring (Choctaw)

Part 4

In Honor of Memorial Day: This series is dedicated to our Native American veterans—our warriors—who have served with honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to protect this land and its people.

With Father’s Day around the corner: We also honor our fathers and our future warriors - our young men.

Long before Choctaws were farmers and business people, they were WARRIORS. Here to talk about this subject is Choctaw Nation's Historic Preservation Department's Ryan Spring.

In this episode, you'll learn about warriors and the changing world:

- The Battle of Caddo Hills

- The Battle of Fort Rosalie (the “other side” of the story)

- The story of mischievous Choctaws who brought chaos to a fort

- The cultural shift from war to trade

- How the influx of alcohol destabilized Choctaw communities and led to the rise of the Lighthorsemen.

- As traditional roles faded, how did Choctaw men adapt

- The modern warrior's path: finding today’s inner warrior

- Reclaiming identity and strength through community leadership and ancestral connection