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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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.

“You are stronger than we. We have fought you so long as we had rifles and powder, but your arms are better than ours. Give us like weapons and turn us loose, we will fight you again; but we are worn-out; we have no more heart; we have no provisions, no means to live; your troops are everywhere; our springs and waterholes are either occupied or overlooked by your young men. You have driven us from our last and best stronghold, and we have no more heart. Do with as may seem good to you, but do not forget we are men and braves.” These were the words of Mescalero Chief, Cadete to General Carlton in 1863.

In Season 3, episode 8, my guest, W. Michael Farmer and I talked through the life and times of the great warrior, Geronimo. And over the next 3 episodes, Michael and I will walk through his 3-part book series based on the life of an Apache named Yellow Boy, starting with, “Killer of Witches, The Life and Times of Yellow Boy, Mescalero Apache”. Because Michael has completed extensive research on the Apache, you’ll also learn a great deal about the Mescalero Apache way of life.

A disclaimer…these books and episodes do contain realistic depictions of historic actions and events that do include violence, so listener discretion is advised.

This is a story that’s considered truth told along with fiction in a time when the Apache way of life was being threatened by the overtaking of Americans who were migrating west, and the terrors on the dark side in this life, witches and other evil spirits in the flesh, that still had to be destroyed to enter the next life unscathed.

Check out “Killer of Witches” 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/

Since I launched Native ChocTalk, my goal was and still is “preservation” – the preservation of our ancestral stories, history, traditions and culture. I encourage every age group to do so!

Join me in supporting young Native Comedian and Photographer, Aaliyah (Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas) and her mamma (also a Photographer), Victoria (Choctaw). Young Aaliyah shares not only about her endeavors in comedy, but she also recorded with me to preserve information about her tribe and the memories of her grandpa.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Aaliyah’s beloved grandpa (her “ahwo”), the late Chief Herbert Glenn Johnson who inspired her comedy

• Her grandpa’s love of watermelon, bingo and gospel music (and how he used to call her chickenhawk)

• The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the swan dance, and the basket dance

• Aaliyah’s world of homeschooling (which I connected with since I was also homeschooled)

• How a wig resulted in Aaliyah’s aliases/characters

• Aaliyah’s list of favorite comedians, such The 1491s

• Victoria and Aaliyah’s powwow princess stories

• Victoria’s stories of her ancestors

Check out Victoria and Aaliya here:

A sample of Aaliya’s comedy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZDcy7CUx40

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rolandajnative8609

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/nativerolanda

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087285947666

Victoria’s Skye Breeze Photography:

936-933-5558

Instagram: @skyebreeze82

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

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

I hope you’ll enjoy part 2 of 2 of my interview with Carolee Maxwell!

She held the paperwork in her hand, a tissue in the other. This information sat in a folder that hadn’t been opened since 1917. Its contents would unlock the answers to a past long gone, but not forgotten. And it would forever change the way she looked at the life of her grandpa – her beloved Papa.

Meet Carolee Maxwell, Chickasaw & Choctaw Author of “Touched by Greatness, from Indian Territory to the Ivy League”, the true story of her Papa, Charles Watson McGilberry.

Charles was unknowingly part of an “experiment” in which Native American boys were the recipients of a plan to determine if they could be educated and groomed for the Ivy Leagues. Did Charles complete his Ivy League prep school education at Mercersburg Academy? And did he make it to the Ivy League?

In these episodes, you’ll also hear about:

• The love story of Charles and Vivian

• Charles’ friendship with John Phillips Souza

• Charles’ journey from Jones Academy to Chilocco Indian School to Mercersburg & beyond

• The backstory of the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) and Macy’s Dept Store

• An ironic twist of fate in which one of my ancestors was the reason for Charles’ father to be imprisoned

• Carolee’s beloved late husband, S. Wayne Maxwell with whom she co-authored the book

And…see if you can spot our bloopers. Hint: It has to do with the crows.

You’ll enjoy this heartwarming and historical book, “Touched by Greatness”. Find it at:

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/35x2fd3t

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/47w8vdex

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

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

PART 1 of 2

She held the paperwork in her hand, a tissue in the other. The information had sat in a folder, unopened since 1917. Its contents would unlock the answers to a past long gone, but not forgotten. And it would forever change the way she looked at the life of her grandpa – her beloved Papa.

Meet Carolee Maxwell, Chickasaw & Choctaw Author of “Touched by Greatness, from Indian Territory to the Ivy League”, the true story of her Papa, Charles Watson McGilberry.

Charles was unknowingly part of an “experiment” in which Native American boys were the recipients of a plan to determine if they could be educated and groomed for the Ivy Leagues. Did Charles complete his Ivy League prep school education at Mercersburg Academy? And did he make it to the Ivy League?

In these episodes, you’ll also hear about:

• The love story of Charles and Vivian

• Charles’ friendship with John Phillips Souza

• Charles’ journey from Jones Academy to Chilocco Indian School to Mercersburg & beyond

• The backstory of the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) and Macy’s Dept Store

• An ironic twist of fate in which one of my ancestors was the reason for Charles’ father to be imprisoned

• Carolee’s beloved late husband, S. Wayne Maxwell with whom she co-authored the book

And…see if you can spot our bloopers. Hint: It has to do with the crows.

You’ll enjoy this heartwarming and historical book, “Touched by Greatness”. Find it at:

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/35x2fd3t

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/47w8vdex

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

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