When I started Native ChocTalk, my goal was to support others in preserving their Native American ancestral stories. Some of us heard our families telling the accounts of those who came before us, but without preservation, many of those stories are now dust in the wind.

I’m proud of my guest and friend, Stanford Lake (Diné) who agreed to share some Navajo history and ancestral stories with us, and I think you will also enjoy!

Stanford, an award-winning Engineer of 20 years is originally from Kayenta/Black Mesa on the Navajo reservation. In part 1 of this 2-part series, he shares about:

• Being a first-language Navajo speaker
• Growing up in the traditional way of life and herding sheep
• The balance of Navajo life, centered around the harvest
• Traditional Hogan homes/ceremonial places
• Stories of that old trickster, the coyote
• Stanford’s Code Talker ancestor
• Ira Hays, the serviceman who raised the flag in Iwo Jima
• Navajo’s arranged marriages, culture and ceremonial sweats
• Stanford’s grandmother, Dzáán who herded sheep until she was 80 years old!

I hope as you listen to Stanford, you’ll be inspired to also record and preserve the stories of your ancestors. You won’t regret it – it’s a gift you give to your family and your descendants. God bless!

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

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

They bravely raised their Winchester rifles, aiming smack dab at the lawlessness of the wild west. Meet the Turnbulls – a legendary Choctaw family who did their part to create a safer Indian Territory for their families.

Here to tell us more about these vigilantes is their descendant, Bobby Bulls (Choctaw), coming to you from the Texas panhandle where many of his ancestors once roamed.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Bobby’s ancestors’ quest to clean up the west, as both Rangers and as Lighthorsemen
• Wahcahtambee (meaning “Cattle Trader”) who walked the Trail of Tears, and his wife, Shakaphona
• The surprising origination of the name Turnbull
• Mary Turnbull and Charles Henry Benton
• The days of cowboys, cattle drives, stampedes and cattle rustling
• Today’s cattle raiding and Ponzi schemes
• The story of the poor darned horse who was struck by lightning

Yakoke, Bobby for sharing with us about your legendary family!

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

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

In this Native ChocTalk story-time, Author and Major James D. Brewer (retired), shares about his historical fiction book, “Blood on the Crossties: The Florida Chautauqua Murders (A Choctaw Parker Mystery/Adventure)”.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the emergence of the railroad and its history, the days of cowboys and gambling (and the game of Faro). Culminating alongside the expansion of the railroad, were the effects of politics, the Freedman, war, and the north and the south as various races began to intermingle.

Discover fascinating real-life historical characters and hear about the fictional character, Choctaw Jimmy Lee Parker, a Railroad Detective, hired to solve the mystery of stolen money, rifles and more.

This episode and book are great for book clubs, homeschool families, and road trips (and the book is now out on audio)!

You can find “Blood on the Crossties” on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Crossties-Florida-Chautauqua-Adventure/dp/1956851720, as well as other places where you buy your books.

Now on audio as well: https://www.audible.com/pd/Blood-on-the-Crossties-Audiobook/B0CRZDG83D

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

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

“When all the tribes find their languages and their culture, that’s when all the healing will begin. And then all the generations will be in a better place.”  - Solomon Little Owl (Crow)

Listeners, I’m proud to present to you, my friend, Solomon Little Owl who shares fascinating stories about his family, the Crow people, and his own incredible journey!

In this 2-part episode, you’ll learn about:

• The story of the “Fightin’ Whites” (trust me, you’ll want to hear this!)
• How buffalo hunts aided Native students
• The Crow’s clan system
• Who were the enemies and who were the allies of the Crow?
• Crow dances such as the bear dance, sun dance and war dance
• Were the Crow tall people?
• The 3 New Years of the Crow
• What did various tribes call the Crow?
• The Crow fair

Solomon asks for prayers for his tribe. And if you’re ever in the area, please consider supporting Crow businesses: http://www.crow-nsn.gov/tribal-businesses.html

Ahóoh, Solomon! And prayers going up for the Crow people.

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

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