Native ChocTalk

“Indian Makes An Attempt to Kill.” That was the newspaper headline about my great-great uncle, Cicero - a story I’ve shared many times. But on one retelling, something unexpected happened. The story didn’t just revisit the past - it opened the door to an entirely new world of family connections I never knew existed. In Part 2, we weave together Cicero’s story with my own and how, somehow, his history guided me straight to my cousin, Cheryl Stone Pitchford, and a whole new branch of our family tree. Recorded 2 years ago, in this series, Cheryl and I are on an Okie roadtrip and on a mission to visit her ancestor, Mushulatubbee’s old stomping grounds, while tracing our own family roots across Choctaw Country along the way. What you’ll hear in this series is a heartfelt blend of history, humor and remembrance - a hodgepodge of adventures in the very best way. Next up, we’ll head to Shady Point to visit the breathtaking Ranch at Latham, owned by Choctaw, Jonathan Watson to see the land where Chief Mushulatubee lived. In this episode, I proudly sport my lovely earrings, perfectly crafted by Jennifer Ikelman (Registered Tribal Artist of the Choctaw Nation) of Acorn and Oak Crafts. https://www.etsy.com/shop/AcornAndOakCrafts?ref=shop_sugg This series is one I hope you’ll watch on YouTube to see the photos and visuals along the way. Yakoke! #cherystonepitchford #theranchatlatham #choctawnationofoklahoma #nativechoctalkpodcast #nativechoctalk #rachaelellenyoungman #rachaelyoungman #Choctaw #chahta #nativeamerican #AmericanIndian #nativepodcast

S10, Ep 1, Pt 1: Weaving Stories, Weaving Bloodlines: With Choctaws, Cheryl Stone Pitchford & Jonathan Watson by Rachael Youngman

Veterans Day holds a special place in this episode, I visited with Choctaw Nation’s Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr., a man whose life has been shaped by service, family legacy, and an unwavering devotion to the Choctaw people. From his small-town Oklahoma upbringing in Talihina, where the soda fountain was a gathering place, and family values were taught in everyday moments, Jack shares what it was like to be raised by his father, the late Jack Austin Sr., and guided by a grandfather who led not through speeches, but through steady action. Jack opens his story wider, reflecting on why he serves his country, his Choctaw Nation, and his community. We trace the legacies passed down through generations, including his own Choctaw ancestor who fought in the Battle of New Orleans, long before citizenship was extended to Native people. Jack unpacks the significance of that battle, the irony woven through history, and how those ancestors still stand with us today. He also speaks candidly about his years in the U.S. Army: the brotherhood, the lifelong friends, the moments that shaped him, transitioning out of military life, and the continued mission he carries through his work with the Choctaw Veterans’ Advocacy program. Jack reflects on the prayer that guides him as he serves the Choctaw people, the educational journey he and his wife traveled together on the way to their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and the profound turning point in his life when his mother passed away. He honors her legacy of caring for those in need within the Tribe and shares the story of the woman who stepped in as a mother to lift him up during that difficult chapter. Packed with history, humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom, this episode shines a light on what it truly means to lead and to serve with a Choctaw heart. On this Veterans day, yakoke to all who have served, and to the families who stand beside them!

Veterans Day holds a special place in this episode, I visited with Choctaw Nation’s Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr., a man whose life has been shaped by service, family legacy, and an unwavering devotion to the Choctaw people. From his small-town Oklahoma upbringing in Talihina, where the soda fountain was a gathering place, and family values were taught in everyday moments, Jack shares what it was like to be raised by his father, the late Jack Austin Sr., and guided by a grandfather who led not through speeches, but through steady action. Jack opens his story wider, reflecting on why he serves his country, his Choctaw Nation, and his community. We trace the legacies passed down through generations, including his own Choctaw ancestor who fought in the Battle of New Orleans, long before citizenship was extended to Native people. Jack unpacks the significance of that battle, the irony woven through history, and how those ancestors still stand with us today. He also speaks candidly about his years in the U.S. Army: the brotherhood, the lifelong friends, the moments that shaped him, transitioning out of military life, and the continued mission he carries through his work with the Choctaw Veterans’ Advocacy program. Jack reflects on the prayer that guides him as he serves the Choctaw people, the educational journey he and his wife traveled together on the way to their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and the profound turning point in his life when his mother passed away. He honors her legacy of caring for those in need within the Tribe and shares the story of the woman who stepped in as a mother to lift him up during that difficult chapter. Packed with history, humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom, this episode shines a light on what it truly means to lead and to serve with a Choctaw heart. On this Veterans day, yakoke to all who have served, and to the families who stand beside them!

PART 3 From opening her own law firm in Durant to protecting Native art and culture, attorney Chloe Moyer joins Native ChocTalk to unpack: ✨ Federal Indian law & tribal sovereignty ✨ Protecting public arts & the Indian Arts and Crafts Act ✨ The balance of communal vs. individual ownership ✨ NAGPRA, NHPA, & protecting what’s been taken ✨ Tips for Native artists selling online (contracts, trademarks, copyrights) PLUS: – Tribal IDs and membership rules – Adoption possibilities for Choctaw families – McGirt v. Oklahoma & Castro-Huerta – Starting your own Native-owned business 📌 Learn more at: moyerlawpllc.com Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

From opening her own law firm in Durant to protecting Native art and culture, attorney Chloe Moyer joins Native ChocTalk to unpack: ✨ Federal Indian law & tribal sovereignty ✨ Protecting public arts & the Indian Arts and Crafts Act ✨ The balance of communal vs. individual ownership ✨ NAGPRA, NHPA, & protecting what’s been taken ✨ Tips for Native artists selling online (contracts, trademarks, copyrights) PLUS: – Tribal IDs and membership rules – Adoption possibilities for Choctaw families – McGirt v. Oklahoma & Castro-Huerta – Starting your own Native-owned business 📌 Learn more at: moyerlawpllc.com Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

From opening her own law firm in Durant to protecting Native art and culture, attorney Chloe Moyer joins Native ChocTalk to unpack: ✨ Federal Indian law & tribal sovereignty ✨ Protecting public arts & the Indian Arts and Crafts Act ✨ The balance of communal vs. individual ownership ✨ NAGPRA, NHPA, & protecting what’s been taken ✨ Tips for Native artists selling online (contracts, trademarks, copyrights) PLUS: – Tribal IDs and membership rules – Adoption possibilities for Choctaw families – McGirt v. Oklahoma & Castro-Huerta – Starting your own Native-owned business 📌 Learn more at: moyerlawpllc.com Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 3 In this episode, my guests, Amy, Ian and Mike take you deep into the heart of Choctaw tradition, food, and the sacred relationship with the hunt. You’ll learn about: - Life at Nan Awaya Farm (where yvnvsh (buffalo) and food are grown the Choctaw way - Ancient Choctaw hunting - the reverence for animals & wisdom from elders - Do buffalo will actually charge through 10k volts of electric fence? - What it’s really like to care for buffalo every day - The surprising stealth (and jumping skills!) of buffalo - The second edition of Ian Thompson’s Choctaw Food book (launching soon!) - Crafting traditional bows, arrows, and quivers - Stories from the hunt - how our ancestors approached deer with such skill and respect   This episode is full of stories, surprises, and teachings that connect past and present. Don’t miss it! Native ChocTalk Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast  All Podcast Episodes:  https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 2 In this episode, my guests, Amy, Ian and Mike take you deep into the heart of Choctaw tradition, food, and the sacred relationship with the hunt. You’ll learn about: 🌱 Life at Nan Awaya Farm where yvnvsh (buffalo) and food are grown in the Choctaw tradition 🪶 Ancient Choctaw hunting - the reverence for animals & wisdom from elders ⚡ Do buffalo will actually charge through 10k volts of electric fence? 🦬 What it’s really like to care for buffalo every day 🤫 The surprising stealth (and jumping skills!) of buffalo 📖 The second edition of Ian Thompson’s Choctaw Food book (launching soon!) 🏹 Crafting traditional bows, arrows, and quivers 🦌 Stories from the hunt - how our ancestors approached deer with such skill and respect This episode is full of stories, surprises, and teachings that connect past and present. Don’t miss it! Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 1 In this episode, my guests, Amy, Ian and Mike take you deep into the heart of Choctaw tradition, food, and the sacred relationship with the hunt. You’ll learn about: - Life at Nan Awaya Farm (where yvnvsh (buffalo) and food are grown the Choctaw way - Ancient Choctaw hunting - the reverence for animals & wisdom from elders - Do buffalo will actually charge through 10k volts of electric fence? - What it’s really like to care for buffalo every day - The surprising stealth (and jumping skills!) of buffalo - The second edition of Ian Thompson’s Choctaw Food book (launching soon!) - Crafting traditional bows, arrows, and quivers - Stories from the hunt - how our ancestors approached deer with such skill and respect   This episode is full of stories, surprises, and teachings that connect past and present. Don’t miss it! Native ChocTalk Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast  All Podcast Episodes:  https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 2 On this episode of Native ChocTalk, my cousin, Cheryl and I took a road trip into the heart of Choctaw country to explore the fascinating and little-known history of Tamaha, Oklahoma - a town with stories that are anything but small. As we meandered along banks of the Arkansas River, we met a local gentleman walking his dogs. That chance encounter led me to Tonia Brannan - an unofficial town historian with a deep connection to the land, the stories, and the Choctaw history embedded in the soil who shares it all with me today. From early ferry landings of the Choctaw trading points following Removal, to a Civil War steamboat raid led by Confederate Cherokee General Stand Watie, to the very first prisoner of the Tamaha jail, and even the scrappy boxing legend Wild Wilson Dunn, a Choctaw man who claimed to be Osage and once fought Jethro’s dad from the show, The Beverly Hillbillies - Tamaha has seen it all! (By the way - know any Choctaws with the last name Dunn? Let me know!) Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 1 On this episode of Native ChocTalk, my cousin, Cheryl and I took a road trip into the heart of Choctaw country to explore the fascinating and little-known history of Tamaha, Oklahoma - a town with stories that are anything but small. As we meandered along banks of the Arkansas River, we met a local gentleman walking his dogs. That chance encounter led me to Tonia Brannan - an unofficial town historian with a deep connection to the land, the stories, and the Choctaw history embedded in the soil who shares it all with me today. From early ferry landings of the Choctaw trading points following Removal, to a Civil War steamboat raid led by Confederate Cherokee General Stand Watie, to the very first prisoner of the Tamaha jail, and even the scrappy boxing legend Wild Wilson Dunn, a Choctaw man who claimed to be Osage and once fought Jethro’s dad from the show, The Beverly Hillbillies - Tamaha has seen it all! (By the way - know any Choctaws with the last name Dunn? Let me know!) Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 3 Join me in this 3-part series as LaNora Parker, great-granddaughter of legendary Comanche leader Quanah Parker, shares her story of leadership, survival, and healing. LaNora was one of the first women to serve as Vice Chairman and Interim Chairwoman of the Comanche Nation. She reflects on her family’s powerful legacy—her father, Simmons Parker, was a Comanche Code Talker and WWII hero—and how that shaped her path. She opens up about the painful realities of Native boarding schools, the loneliness, and cultural erasure she experienced, and how Comanche language and hymns remained a source of strength. Now, as a voice for Native recovery, LaNora shares her personal healing journey and her mission to support sobriety through culture and purpose! Along with her niece, she co-founded Warchief Collection, a non-alcoholic beverage line rooted in Native wellness and resilience. Learn more at warchiefcollection.com Her words of encouragement for all who are in recovery? “Pray about it. Cry about it. Read about it. Write about it. Talk about it. Be about it.” Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

Join me in this 3-part series as LaNora Parker, great-granddaughter of legendary Comanche leader Quanah Parker, shares her story of leadership, survival, and healing. LaNora was one of the first women to serve as Vice Chairman and Interim Chairwoman of the Comanche Nation. She reflects on her family’s powerful legacy—her father, Simmons Parker, was a Comanche Code Talker and WWII hero—and how that shaped her path. She opens up about the painful realities of Native boarding schools, the loneliness, and cultural erasure she experienced, and how Comanche language and hymns remained a source of strength. Now, as a voice for Native recovery, LaNora shares her personal healing journey and her mission to support sobriety through culture and purpose! Along with her niece, she co-founded Warchief Collection, a non-alcoholic beverage line rooted in Native wellness and resilience. Learn more at warchiefcollection.com Her words of encouragement for all who are in recovery? “Pray about it. Cry about it. Read about it. Write about it. Talk about it. Be about it.” Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 1 Join me in this 3-part series as LaNora Parker, great-granddaughter of legendary Comanche leader Quanah Parker, shares her story of leadership, survival, and healing. LaNora was one of the first women to serve as Vice Chairman and Interim Chairwoman of the Comanche Nation. She reflects on her family’s powerful legacy—her father, Simmons Parker, was a Comanche Code Talker and WWII hero—and how that shaped her path. She opens up about the painful realities of Native boarding schools, the loneliness, and cultural erasure she experienced, and how Comanche language and hymns remained a source of strength. Now, as a voice for Native recovery, LaNora shares her personal healing journey and her mission to support sobriety through culture and purpose! Along with her niece, she co-founded Warchief Collection, a non-alcoholic beverage line rooted in Native wellness and resilience. Learn more at warchiefcollection.com Her words of encouragement for all who are in recovery? “Pray about it. Cry about it. Read about it. Write about it. Talk about it. Be about it.” Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast  All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 3 In this powerful 3-part episode, we dive into the tragic legacy of the Wounded Knee Massacre and its connection to the ongoing fight for Native American religious freedom. My guest, law Professor, Richard Garnett - a Choctaw citizen and expert in religious freedom at Notre Dame - helps unpack what the law *actually* says about Native religious rights, sacred land use, and the balance between tribal sovereignty and U.S. legal systems. From the Ghost Dance to peyote use in the Native American Church, and from religious Acts and the Constitution, we explore how Native faith practices have been criminalized, protected, and misunderstood throughout U.S. history. We also discuss the painful irony that Native communities often need specific legislation just to practice their traditions, unlike many other faiths in America. Professor Garnett shares why religious freedom isn't just about individual rights - it's also about land, language, and the deep communal connection to sacred spaces. If you’ve ever wondered how law students and Professors at places like Notre Dame are shaping the future or how land rights like those at Oak Flat and beyond are tied to religious liberty, this episode is for you. Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 2 In this powerful 3-part episode, we dive into the tragic legacy of the Wounded Knee Massacre and its connection to the ongoing fight for Native American religious freedom. My guest, law Professor, Richard Garnett - a Choctaw citizen and expert in religious freedom at Notre Dame - helps unpack what the law *actually* says about Native religious rights, sacred land use, and the balance between tribal sovereignty and U.S. legal systems. From the Ghost Dance to peyote use in the Native American Church, and from religious Acts and the Constitution, we explore how Native faith practices have been criminalized, protected, and misunderstood throughout U.S. history. We also discuss the painful irony that Native communities often need specific legislation just to practice their traditions, unlike many other faiths in America. Professor Garnett shares why religious freedom isn't just about individual rights - it's also about land, language, and the deep communal connection to sacred spaces. If you’ve ever wondered how law students and Professors at places like Notre Dame are shaping the future or how land rights like those at Oak Flat and beyond are tied to religious liberty, this episode is for you. Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

In this powerful 3-part episode, we dive into the tragic legacy of the Wounded Knee Massacre and its connection to the ongoing fight for Native American religious freedom. My guest, law Professor, Richard Garnett - a Choctaw citizen and expert in religious freedom at Notre Dame - helps unpack what the law *actually* says about Native religious rights, sacred land use, and the balance between tribal sovereignty and U.S. legal systems. From the Ghost Dance to peyote use in the Native American Church, and from religious Acts and the Constitution, we explore how Native faith practices have been criminalized, protected, and misunderstood throughout U.S. history. We also discuss the painful irony that Native communities often need specific legislation just to practice their traditions, unlike many other faiths in America. Professor Garnett shares why religious freedom isn't just about individual rights - it's also about land, language, and the deep communal connection to sacred spaces. If you’ve ever wondered how law students and Professors at places like Notre Dame are shaping the future or how land rights like those at Oak Flat and beyond are tied to religious liberty, this episode is for you. Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 3 In this new season of Native ChocTalk, I sat down with Tiffany Baker, the heart and hands behind Bakers Bar Soapery! Tiffany shares her powerful journey of tracing her Choctaw ancestors — all connected by one common thread: the land. From uncovering family allotments and the deep sentiment of holding onto family land, to the tangled stories of district agents, guardianship scams, and the feisty squabbles between Choctaw mammas — with a bit of Tamaha, Oklahoma town gossip sprinkled in too! Tune in to hear how Tiffany weaves her family’s past into her modern-day business, creating soaps that carry the love, land, and legacy of her people — and maybe a bit of Tamaha mischief too.  Listen now and get inspired by the strength that runs through the land — and the families who keep it alive.   Native ChocTalk Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast  All Podcast Episodes:  https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

PART 2 In this new season of Native ChocTalk, I sat down with Tiffany Baker, the heart and hands behind Bakers Bar Soapery Tiffany shares her powerful journey of tracing her Choctaw ancestors — all connected by one common thread: the land. From uncovering family allotments and the deep sentiment of holding onto family land, to the tangled stories of district agents, guardianship scams, and the feisty squabbles between Choctaw mammas — with a bit of Tamaha, Oklahoma town gossip sprinkled in too! Tune in to hear how Tiffany weaves her family’s past into her modern-day business, creating soaps that carry the love, land, and legacy of her people — and maybe a bit of Tamaha mischief too.   Listen now and get inspired by the strength that runs through the land — and the families who keep it alive. Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast  All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/