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Native Americans share ancestral stories, history, & culture. www.nativechoctalk.com
Episodes
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
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 celebrate the Choctaw gift (a companion piece to the Kindred Spirits sculpture in Ireland)
- Sam’s new service, Native American Genealogy! natamgen.com
- Helpful tips on researching our native ancestors
- Is Brett Favre native American?
- The REAL story of David H Folsom
- The Freedmen
- The story of the bullet on the gravestone
- The “blurry” topic of Choctaw clans
- Traditional Choctaw clothing
If you’re searching for your American Indian ancestors, don’t forget to check out NATAM gen Native American Genealogy! www.natamgen.com I’m so excited about this!
*You can hear more about the Choctaw gift and the history of the Great Famine in Native ChocTalk’s Season 3, with Seth Fairchild, Executive Director of the Chahta Foundation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qZ8J0juWmA
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
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 Center for the Arts. Tickets are just $20.
Brandi is also presenting Pa I Sha at no charge, at Upstairs Theater in Evanston Township High School on November 7th at 6:30pm.
You’ll love this episode in which Brandi shares about:
- The Chickasaw flute and other period instruments utilized in the concert
- The inspiration behind Pa I Sha – her 4th great grandmother’s story
- Her ancestral history and stories
- The mysteries surrounding James and Jonas Wolf and the Hyah Puk Tuklo clan – perhaps you can help!
Brandi and I met through a wonderful mutual friend, Chickasaw composer, Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate. By the way, Shell Shaker: A Chickasaw Opera’s will now premier October 27th, 2024 in Oklahoma City!
Brandi, who is faculty of Northwestern and DePaul Universities and the Artistic Director of the Bach & Beethoven Experience (BBE), also teaches Baroque Performance Practice and Ornamentation and has released multiple albums. Check them out at https://brandiberrybenson.com/ and streaming platforms such as apple music, pandora, etc.!
- Silver Linings
- A Gaelic Summer
- An Appalachian Summer
- Chicago Stories
And her BBE Carols Album will be released in December…what a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer!
Come and enjoy the beautiful work of Chickasaw Composer, Brandi Berry Benson, and happy upcoming holidays to all!
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodct
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
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 Child Protection Services conduct separate investigations, which entails the child repeating her trauma multiple times. Depending on her situation, she may be passed around between foster homes, or she could be placed back into a situation where she has to be around her perpetrator again.
And not only could this child fail to receive the emotional and psychological support she needs, but the abuse she suffered will most likely cause negative ongoing affects throughout her life.
There has to be a better way. And there is! Choctaw Nation’s Coordinated Response to Child Maltreatment via their leading Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), is the first tribal MDT in the state of Oklahoma and the results are already highly impactful.
My guests, Gina South (Juvenile Division Chief and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney) and Kari Hurst (MTD Coordinator) from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma share with us about:
- How the MDT program is serving, protecting and saving the children of the Choctaw Nation
- You’ve heard of McGirt vs. Oklahoma, Gina tells us about the Sizemore decision as well
- Gina’s ancestral stories
Also, check out the beautiful ribbon skirts that Gina makes – they’d make wonderful holiday or birthday gifts! https://tinyurl.com/4d4kn23f
Yakoke to these ladies and to the entire Multi-Disciplinary Teams at Choctaw Nation (law enforcement, medical teams, prosecutors, behavioral health experts, forensic interviewers, therapists, and victim advocates) who are advocating for our precious children!
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
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 Yumans, spent many years searching for old recordings of elders singing these ancient songs. And by nothing short of a miracle, he finally discovered these precious recordings. And you won’t believe how he found them!
Chris was compelled to share, rather than withhold these sacred songs. And now he’s here to sing these pieces for us today, and he has also provided a complimentary curriculum so that you too can hear and learn about them!
In this episode, you’ll also learn about:
- Kumeyaay culture, ancient games like peon, dances and the origination of the bird songs
- Learn about the patterns of the bird songs and the instruments used
- The reservation where Chris grew up
- The history of the Yumans and how they won California for America by fighting Mexico
I highly recommend watching this episode on YouTube since Chris shares visuals throughout the conversation.
Check out Chris’ Yumans website, and enjoy learning about the Bird Songs, Kumeyaay language, training, quizzes at NO CHARGE! https://theyumans.com/
Learn more about the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians: https://www.sanpasqualbandofmissionindians.org/
Enjoy!
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
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 Yumans, spent many years searching for old recordings of elders singing these ancient songs. And by nothing short of a miracle, he finally discovered these precious recordings. And you won’t believe how he found them!
Chris was compelled to share, rather than withhold these sacred songs. And now he’s here to sing these pieces for us today, and he has also provided a complimentary curriculum so that you too can hear and learn about them!
In this episode, you’ll also learn about:
- Kumeyaay culture, ancient games like peon, dances and the origination of the bird songs
- Learn about the patterns of the bird songs and the instruments used
- The reservation where Chris grew up
- The history of the Yumans and how they won California for America by fighting Mexico
I highly recommend watching this episode on YouTube since Chris shares visuals throughout the conversation.
Check out Chris’ Yumans website, and enjoy learning about the Bird Songs, Kumeyaay language, training, quizzes at NO CHARGE! https://theyumans.com/
Learn more about the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians: https://www.sanpasqualbandofmissionindians.org/
Enjoy!
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
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 440,000 members. They are the Cherokee people, and their endurance and strength continues on today.
Here to talk with us is my guest, Jack Baker, a Cherokee and President of the Board of the National Trail of Tears Association, past president of the Oklahoma Historical Society board, past board member of the Cherokee National Historical Society, and more. Jack’s extensive Cherokee research for over forty years resulted in authoring various articles, editing books on Cherokee history, and assisting with various documentaries on Cherokee history.
Learn more in this episode about:
- The history of the Cherokee
- The Trail of Tears and the graves left along the way
- Jack’s own ancestral stories
- Growing up with no electricity on his grandad’s Cherokee allotment in Oklahoma
- How his 2-room school had only 16 students
- Our “geeking out” over our love of research
- Jack’s library with 700 books related to the Cherokee
- Stories of his “guerilla warfare” research and hanging out in the archives with Angie Debo and Rella Looney (Rella manually indexed all the archives)!
By the way, Jack references a book that you can see on the video on YouTube, but if you’re listening only, the book referenced is “The Journal of Reverend Daniel S. Butrick, Cherokee Removal”.
May we never forget the Cherokee, the Trail of Tears, and the resilience of our ancestors.
Wado, Jack for your many years of research and for sharing your expertise with us!
Learn more about the National Trail of Tears Association here: https://nationaltota.com/
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
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 440,000 members. They are the Cherokee people, and their endurance and strength continues on today.
Here to talk with us is my guest, Jack Baker, a Cherokee and President of the Board of the National Trail of Tears Association, past president of the Oklahoma Historical Society board, past board member of the Cherokee National Historical Society, and more. Jack’s extensive Cherokee research for over forty years resulted in authoring various articles, editing books on Cherokee history, and assisting with various documentaries on Cherokee history.
Learn more in this episode about:
- The history of the Cherokee
- The Trail of Tears and the graves left along the way
- Jack’s own ancestral stories
- Growing up with no electricity on his grandad’s Cherokee allotment in Oklahoma
- How his 2-room school had only 16 students
- Our “geeking out” over our love of research
- Jack’s library with 700 books related to the Cherokee
- Stories of his “guerilla warfare” research and hanging out in the archives with Angie Debo and Rella Looney (Rella manually indexed all the archives)!
By the way, Jack references a book that you can see on the video on YouTube, but if you’re listening only, the book referenced is “The Journal of Reverend Daniel S. Butrick, Cherokee Removal”.
May we never forget the Cherokee, the Trail of Tears, and the resilience of our ancestors.
Wado, Jack for your many years of research and for sharing your expertise with us!
Learn more about the National Trail of Tears Association here: https://nationaltota.com/
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Sunday Jul 23, 2023
Sunday Jul 23, 2023
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 (Kiowa), Secretary about:
• The history of Anadarko, where more American Indians reside per capita than anywhere in the world.
• The history of the Expo itself, the famous people in the Expo parade over the years.
• What the Expo means to our Plains Tribes and other tribes.
Come join us for:
• Our parade (August 2nd and 5th at 10:00 am in downtown Anadarko)
• The fair, which includes dancing (gourd dance, fire dancing, traditional, fancy dance, northern), powwows, archery competitions, Indian relay horse racing, art, jewelry, FRYBREAD!,
• This year’s attending “Indian of the Year” – Lane Factor from FX’s Reservation Dogs!
• The always-anticipated mud men!
• The Anadarko Chamber of Commerce will also have a town-wide event featuring live bands, drinks on the patios of the streets and more
• McKee’s Indian Store’s grand re-opening!
Parade Tribal Lineup: Caddo, Fort Sill Apache, Osage, Delaware, Ponca, Wichita, Pawnee, Kiowa, Apache, Comanche, Cheyenne & Arapaho, Iowa, Sac & Fox, Otoe Missouri
You’ll also hear some tips on:
• What to wear
• Where to park
• Powwow etiquette
• Cost: there’s no charge for the parade, nor for the fair (there is an entry fee for the horse racing and powwow)
• Where to stay (Chickasha, Lawton and camping at the fairgrounds)
• Historical and interesting places to visit while in Anadarko, such as the Southern Plains Indian Museum and more!
This event is for ALL so please join us and I hope to see you there!
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Friday Jul 21, 2023
Friday Jul 21, 2023
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 discretion is advised.
This historical fiction trilogy isn’t just the story of Yellow Boy himself. It’s also a view into the lives and culture of the Mescalero Apache during a time in the late 1800s when the Apache were forced to make way for the infiltrating “White Eyes” or the non-Native settlers of the time.
In parts 1 and 2, we walked through the books, “Killer of Witches” and “Blood of the Devil”.
And now listeners, get ready for “The Last Warrior”, the continuation of this powerful story of the Mescalero Apache who are fighting for survival against determined ignorance from autocratic government overseers, countering attacks from those misusing their supernatural powers, and choosing sides in the White Eye conflicts!
Check out “The Last Warrior” and other W. Michael Farmer books here:
Website: https://wmichaelfarmer.com/books/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wmichael.farmer
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
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 2 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 discretion is advised.
This historical fiction trilogy isn’t just the story of Yellow Boy himself. It’s also a view into the lives and culture of the Mescalero Apache during a time in the late 1800s when the Apache were forced to make way for the infiltrating “White Eyes” or the non-Native settlers of the time.
We left off in book 1 with Yellow Boy determined to avenge his father and others in the tribe who had been brutally murdered by the Witch Sangre del Diablo – a Mexican-Comanche with a taste for spilling the blood of the Apache and trading in their scalps for Nakai-yi (or Mexican) gold from the White Eyes.
You’ll be on the edge of your seat as we share the story, “Blood of the Devil, The Life and Times of Yellow Boy, Mescalero Apache, Book 2” by W. Michael Farmer!
Check out “Blood of the Devil” and other W. Michael Farmer books here:
Website: https://wmichaelfarmer.com/books/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wmichael.farmer
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/