Native ChocTalk

"Don’t forget what was sacrificed. And keep fighting in the ways you can. You are still occupied. You are still here. You are born of real survivors. So go live.”
These are the powerful words from my guest, comic book artist Jim Terry (Ho-Chunk), in his book “Paper Cut”.

I really enjoyed this casual conversation with Jim, who lives not far from me in Chicago. He opened my eyes to the history and presence of the Ho-Chunk people — “people of the big voice.” You might also know them by the name once given to them: Winnebago.
And by the way — did you know “Chicago” (or chicagoua) most likely comes from the Algonquin word for onions… or maybe even garlic?

Jim and I also talked about his life as a freelance artist, the funny (and sometimes awkward) conversations between Native and non-Native people, and the deeper, more personal themes behind his book “Come Home, Indio”. In it, he opens up about feelings of not belonging and a lifelong journey toward making peace (or something like it) with the treatment of our Native American ancestors.

We also touched on the story of Edward E. Ayer — a lumber baron who, in 1911, donated 17,000 Native American manuscripts, photos, and artifacts to the Newberry Library. Today, that collection has grown to over 130,000 volumes. (Some of those items also found a home at Chicago’s Field Museum.) 

Jim was honored to be commissioned by the Newberry Library for their Indigenous Chicago program, creating artwork inspired by those thousands of historical documents.

Purchase your copy of the “Paper Cuts” comic book here:  https://bookshop.newberry.org/paper-cuts 

And check out Jim’s website here: https://www.woundedbutdangerous.com/ 

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast 
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

Part 3

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the powerful stories of women throughout history. So today, we’re celebrating both history and healing!

Join us as Sharon Day, a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, shares her ancestral stories and her work leading healing water walks.

Wondering what a water walk is? Tune in to discover its significance, along with Sharon’s inspiring journey of sobriety, healing, and giving back as the Executive Director of the Indigenous People’s Task Force.

Nibi (Water) Walk: https://www.nibiwalk.org/ 

Indigenous People’s Task Force: https://indigenouspeoplestf.org/ 

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

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

Part 2

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the powerful stories of women throughout history. So today, we’re celebrating both history and healing!

Join us as Sharon Day, a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, shares her ancestral stories and her work leading healing water walks.

Wondering what a water walk is? Tune in to discover its significance, along with Sharon’s inspiring journey of sobriety, healing, and giving back as the Executive Director of the Indigenous People’s Task Force.

Nibi (Water) Walk: https://www.nibiwalk.org/ 
Indigenous People’s Task Force: https://indigenouspeoplestf.org/ 

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

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

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the powerful stories of women throughout history. So today, we’re celebrating both history and healing!

Join us as Sharon Day, a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, shares her ancestral stories and her work leading healing water walks.

Wondering what a water walk is? Tune in to discover its significance, along with Sharon’s inspiring journey of sobriety, healing, and giving back as the Executive Director of the Indigenous People’s Task Force.

Nibi (Water) Walk: https://www.nibiwalk.org/ 
Indigenous People’s Task Force: https://indigenouspeoplestf.org/ 

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

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

“To the Choctaw proud, ours is the sovereign nation offering opportunities for growth and prosperity.” This is the stated mission of my tribe, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. 

For the Choctaw, creating opportunities isn’t just about supporting our own people—it’s about uplifting the surrounding communities as well.

Sara Seals, Director of Marketing at Choctaw Nation, shares the tribe’s mission to capture and share the stories of our tribal members and the impactful work of the ongoing campaign, “Together We’re More.”

I was honored to be featured in this campaign, sharing my passion for preserving Native American stories. One of the key inspirations behind my work is the life and legacy of my great-grandmother, Ella.

In this episode, we dive deeper into the meaning behind “Together We’re More”—a message that extends beyond the Choctaw Nation. It reflects the power of collaboration between Choctaws and non-Natives alike. This vision comes to life every day through our tribe’s commitment to strengthening communities—investing in infrastructure, roads, education, clean water, and more.

No matter your background—Choctaw, Native, or neither—we can all embrace the idea that together, we’re stronger. Together, we’re more.

Yakoke, Sara!

See and hear the stories of my fellow Choctaws at https://togetherweremore.com/ 

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

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

In today’s episode, we proudly celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our men and women who have bravely served our country! 

 

My guest, Jackson Weaver, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, shares about his family’s legacy of dedicated servicemen, such as Jackson’s grandpa known as “Chief” to all who knew him and the interesting stories of when he was in US Army Air Corp (now Air Force), Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and much more. These are stories you won’t want to miss!

 

Jackson also discusses his experience in growing his career after military service and as the owner of WorldWide Medical Staffing, a healthcare staffing company, serving federal, private and Native American hospitals across the US. And we’ll discuss information for Native Americans seeking a career in the medical field, resume building, and more.

 

If you’re looking to staff a medical job or are looking for a medical job yourself, check out www.wwmedical.com! 

 

Jackson’s grandpa, Jack O. Weaver Jr.’s story is included, along with other Choctaw stories in Memory Keepers by Choctaw Author, Judy Allen - get your copy here! https://www.choctawnation.com/biskinik/people-you-know/memory-keepers-now-available-at-cno-headquarters-gift-shop/

 

To those who have served our country, we thank you!

 

In loving memory of Jack O. Weaver, Jr., PFC Mykel F. Miller and all the men and women who lost their lives serving our great country. 

 

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

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

In today’s episode, we proudly celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our men and women who have bravely served our country! 

 

My guest, Jackson Weaver, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, shares about his family’s legacy of dedicated servicemen, such as Jackson’s grandpa known as “Chief” to all who knew him and the interesting stories of when he was in US Army Air Corp (now Air Force), Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and much more. These are stories you won’t want to miss!

 

Jackson also discusses his experience in growing his career after military service and as the owner of WorldWide Medical Staffing, a healthcare staffing company, serving federal, private and Native American hospitals across the US. And we’ll discuss information for Native Americans seeking a career in the medical field, resume building, and more.

 

If you’re looking to staff a medical job or are looking for a medical job yourself, check out www.wwmedical.com! 

 

Jackson’s grandpa, Jack O. Weaver Jr.’s story is included, along with other Choctaw stories in Memory Keepers by Choctaw Author, Judy Allen - get your copy here! https://www.choctawnation.com/biskinik/people-you-know/memory-keepers-now-available-at-cno-headquarters-gift-shop/

 

To those who have served our country, we thank you!

 

In loving memory of Jack O. Weaver, Jr., PFC Mykel F. Miller and all the men and women who lost their lives serving our great country. 

 

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

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

Part 2

 

In today’s episode, we proudly celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our men and women who have bravely served our country! 

 

My guest, Jackson Weaver, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, shares about his family’s legacy of dedicated servicemen, such as Jackson’s grandpa known as “Chief” to all who knew him and the interesting stories of when he was in US Army Air Corp (now Air Force), Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and much more. These are stories you won’t want to miss!

 

Jackson also discusses his experience in growing his career after military service and as the owner of WorldWide Medical Staffing, a healthcare staffing company, serving federal, private and Native American hospitals across the US. And we’ll discuss information for Native Americans seeking a career in the medical field, resume building, and more.

 

If you’re looking to staff a medical job or are looking for a medical job yourself, check out www.wwmedical.com!

 

Jackson’s grandpa, Jack O. Weaver Jr.’s story is included, along with other Choctaw stories in Memory Keepers by Choctaw Author, Judy Allen - get your copy here! https://www.choctawnation.com/biskinik/people-you-know/memory-keepers-now-available-at-cno-headquarters-gift-shop/

 

To those who have served our country, we thank you!

 

In loving memory of Jack O. Weaver, Jr., PFC Mykel F. Miller and all the men and women who lost their lives serving our great country. 

 

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

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

Part 1

In today’s episode, we proudly celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our men and women who have bravely served our country! 

 

My guest, Jackson Weaver, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, shares about his family’s legacy of dedicated servicemen, such as Jackson’s grandpa known as “Chief” to all who knew him and the interesting stories of when he was in US Army Air Corp (now Air Force), Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and much more. These are stories you won’t want to miss!

 

Jackson also discusses his experience as the owner of WorldWide Medical Staffing, a healthcare staffing company, serving federal, private and Native American hospitals across the US. And we’ll discuss information for Native Americans seeking a career in the medical field, resume building, and more.

 

If you’re looking to staff a medical job or are looking for a medical job yourself, check out www.wwmedical.com!

 

Jackson’s grandpa, Jack O. Weaver Jr.’s story is included, along with other Choctaw stories in Memory Keepers by Choctaw Author, Judy Allen - get your copy here! https://www.choctawnation.com/biskinik/people-you-know/memory-keepers-now-available-at-cno-headquarters-gift-shop/

 

To those who have served our country, we thank you!

 

In loving memory of Jack O. Weaver, Jr., PFC Mykel F. Miller and all the men and women who lost their lives serving our great country. 

 

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

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

This summer, I embarked on a road trip to Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, for our annual Choctaw Labor Day Festival. Nestled among the rolling hills of the Kiamichi Mountains, the event was a vibrant celebration featuring stickball tournaments, frybread, gourd dancing, and Choctaw Village activities. While these cherished traditions always make the journey worthwhile, this year's experience was especially meaningful.

On August 30, 2024, we honored the historic Choctaw monetary gift sent to the Irish during the Great Famine with the unveiling of the Eternal Heart monument, created by Choctaw sculptor Sam Guerrero Stitt. This remarkable piece stands as a companion to the Kindred Spirit monument in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland, designed by Alex Pentek.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, the Irish Heritage Trust, the Sharing Lands research group, and the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme for their invaluable collaboration and support. Special thanks also go to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for making this moment possible!

The connection between the Irish and the Choctaw is a profound testament to kindred spirits—a friendship forged through hardship and solidified by an enduring act of compassion. We honor the struggles and resilience of our Choctaw and Irish ancestors, whose spirits continue to inspire us. May this bond of kinship flourish for generations to come.

Yakoke to my esteemed guests: Chief Gary Batton, Seth Fairchild, Claire Green Young, and, of course, the talented sculptor behind the Eternal Heart, Sam Stitt!

 

The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park: https://strokestownpark.ie/national-famine-museum/

 

The Irish Heritage Trust: https://irishheritagetrust.ie/

 

Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme: https://www.ireland.ie/en/irish-diaspora/emigrant-support-programme/ 

 

Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship Program: https://chahtafoundation.com/scholarships/choctawirelandscholarship/ 

 

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

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