Native ChocTalk

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

S8, E4, Pt 3: Honoring Our Choctaw Tvshka (Warriors) – In Memory, Legacy & Fatherhood: Ryan Spring (Choctaw)

Part 3

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.

Growing Up Choctaw:

• The role of boys and young men in Choctaw life
  
  
• The strength of our matriarchal society
  
  
• What Choctaw people ate — in hunting season and at home
  
  
• Coordinated strength: how Choctaws hunted and fought as one
  
  
• Teaching the hunt: how boys learned the ways of the woods
  
  
• Storytelling: passing down wisdom to the next generation
  
  
• Balance and respect: the equality of men and women in Choctaw society
  
  
• Becoming a warrior: proving bravery, skill, and endurance
  
  
• Returning from battle: the 30-day period of reflection and healing
  
  
• Mourning those lost — even enemies
  
  
• Did Choctaw warriors practice scalping? The truth behind the stories
  
  
• Legendary battles of the Choctaw — told in a way you’ve never heard

S8, E4, Pt 2: Honoring Our Choctaw Tvshka (Warriors) – In Memory, Legacy & Fatherhood: Ryan Spring (Choctaw)

Part 2

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 hear stories of strength: The Choctaw and the Path of the Warrior

• The role of the bison: a short look at its presence in Choctaw homelands
  
  
• Were bison native to our lands — and how did we interact with them?
  
  
• What did it take to become a Chief?
  
  
• Preparing for battle: war paint, feathers, and red dye
  
  
• The meaning behind warrior tattoos — marks of honor and identity
  
  
• Allies and enemies: tribes we stood with and those we stood against
  
  
• The Choctaw and Chickasaw conflict — why did two sister nations clash?

S8, E4, Pt 1: Honoring Our Choctaw Tvshka (Warriors) – In Memory, Legacy & Fatherhood: Ryan Spring (Choctaw)

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—thank you for your strength, guidance, and love.

To our young men. You are the future. We hope you’ll tune in and remember:
- You are important.
- You are needed.
- Your life matters.

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 Part 1 you’ll learn about The Choctaw Warrior Society

• What it took to become a Tvshka — a warrior
  
• The enduring wisdom of our traditional ways for future generations
  
• Weapons of our ancestors: tools of survival and skill
  
• Evidence our ancestors once brought down mammoths
• Yes — the Choctaw hunted buffalo

S8, E4, Part 7: Quanah Parker: The Comanche Warrior Between Two Worlds

In this final episode of my conversations with the great grandchildren of the heroic Comanche leader, Quanah Parker, we open with a moving moment: Sandra, great-granddaughter of Quanah Parker, reads a heartfelt letter from her father, Baldwin Parker, Jr. — a message of strength, legacy, and deep-rooted pride.

Did you know that Quanah Parker was not only a fierce Comanche leader but also a savvy businessman? He was one of the largest shareholders in the Quanah, Acme, and Pacific Railway (QA&P), a 117-mile freight line that began service in 1902 and later merged with Burlington Northern Railroad in 1981. (@cyndidonovan) Tune in to hear how his descendants carry forward that pride in their family’s unexpected but powerful place in rail history.

We also explore the pivotal moment of Quanah’s surrender — a decision that weighed heavily on him as he navigated the impossible balance between protecting his people and adapting to a changing world.

We close with a heartfelt toast to Quanah’s enduring legacy, brought to you by War Chief Collection, a line of non-alcoholic beverages crafted by his descendant, Jody Colbert. The collection will relaunch in Summer 2025 — stay tuned at www.warchiefcollection.com!

Marʉawe to these Comanche elders who generously shared their stories and wisdom, now preserved for generations to come. 

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

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

S8, E4, Part 6: Quanah Parker: The Comanche Warrior Between Two Worlds

In part 6 of this series, you’ll continue the Journey into the life, legend, and legacy of Quanah Parker — last chief of the Comanche, warrior, spiritual leader, and protector of Native tradition. 

You’ll learn from his descendants about:

• The powerful story of Quanah’s fight to preserve the sacred use of peyote through the Native American Church, and his pivotal role in protecting Indigenous religious rights. 
• Family stories and accounts from these elders that you won’t find in the history books.
• Don Parker singing the “Quanah Parker Song”. 
• We uncover the man behind the myth — a misunderstood figure whose acts of generosity still echo today. 
• Learn the story of how a medicine man helped the Comanches escape U.S. forces, collaborated by the “other side” of the story within the history books.
• The untold stories of Quanah’s home, the “Star House”. 

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

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

S8, E4, Part 5: Quanah Parker: The Comanche Warrior Between Two Worlds

In Part 5 of Native ChocTalk’s powerful series on the legendary Comanche warrior Quanah Parker, his descendants share intimate stories about his mother, Cynthia Ann Parker—known to the Comanche as Na'ura (1827–March 1871).

Taken captive at just 9 years old during the Fort Parker Massacre of 1836, Cynthia Ann was raised by the Comanche people, eventually marrying Chief Peta Nocona (also known as Puhtocnocony and Tah-con-ne-ah-pe-ah, c. 1820–1864). Together, they had three children, including Quanah Parker, who would go on to become the last war chief of the Comanche.

This episode explores Cynthia Ann’s heartbreaking journey—from her deep love for her Comanche family to the grief she endured after being forcibly returned to the white world, separated forever from her son and tribe. You’ll hear the haunting lullaby “Where is My Boy Tonight,” a song she sang for years in mourning—and you’ll experience its emotional power as Don Parker, Quanah’s great-grandson, performs it in Comanche.

Also in this episode:

• The sacred Comanche traditions surrounding death and the journey after life
  
  
• Reflections on faith and identity: Did the Creator know us? Did He walk with our people and provide for us in the ways we lived and survived?

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

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

S8, E4, Part 4: Quanah Parker, The Comanche Warrior Between Two Worlds

PART 4

 

“Don’t let go of one foot in one place and one foot in the other. Don’t ever forget who you are. You are Comanche, you are Indian. You are a Parker.” 

- Jacquetta Parker, proud great-granddaughter of the legendary Comanche warrior Quanah Parker, sharing his timeless wisdom and guiding his descendants as they navigate the complexities of two very different worlds.

 

In Part 4 of this series, where I visited with the descendants of Quanah Parker, we explored a more personal side of the legendary Comanche leader—Quanah as a father, husband, and historical inspiration. Our conversation uncovered fascinating stories, including:

• Despite his reputation as a fierce and respected warrior, Quanah had a deep compassion for orphans and those in need.
• The time President Roosevelt visited his home.
• The treasured china passed down to one of his great-granddaughters.
• Insights into Quanah’s many wives.
• The remarkable story of how Quanah and the Mennonites envisioned and built Post Oak Mission.
• How both Comanche and English were sung and preached in the church.
• The role of frybread sales in rebuilding Post Oak Mission.
• The secret to making the perfect frybread—at least, according to these particular Comanches.
• Clumpy or soft frybread? You decide. (I say we settle this with a bake-off!)
  
  

Join me as we uncover these incredible stories, bringing Quanah’s legacy to life through the voices of his descendants.

 

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

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